Nineteen-year-old lock Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa starred for the Blues as they beat the Chiefs 45-19 in a pre-season game in Te Kuiti on Friday.

Riedlinger-Kapa scored twice in a match that was played across four 20-minute quarters, with both sides choosing not to field their All Blacks and many of their senior players.

The sides were tied up at 14-14 at half-time, with wing Tim Nanai Williams and flyhalf Tiaan Falcon scoring tries for the Chiefs. The Blues responded through centre TJ Faiane and flank Glenn Preston.

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The visiting Blues ran away with the match in the second half as they scored five tries, including Riedlinger-Kapa’s brace, to the Chiefs’ one through hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.

Both sides will now move on to the Brisbane Tens next weekend, which will serve as their final preparation before their Super Rugby openers on 23 February.

Blues – Tries: Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (2), TJ Faiane, Glenn Preston, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Marcel Renata, Dalton Papali’i. Conversions: Bryn Gatland (2), Stephen Perofeta, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Ruru.
Chiefs – Tries: Tiaan Falcon, Tim Nanai-Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho. Conversions: Tiaan Falcon (2).

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images