The Chiefs ran in six tries to beat the Blues 41-20 in their first pre-season match at Whangarei on Thursday.
While little can be read into the match, with both sides missing their All Blacks stalwarts, the Chiefs produced an impressive display of running rugby, with wing James Lowe bagging a brace of tries.
The Chiefs led 24-6 at half-time courtesy of four first-half tries, with the Blues' sole points coming from the boot of flyhalf Ihaia West.
While the hosts produced an improved display in the second half, the Chiefs sealed victory with two further tries.
The Chiefs will be hoping for a repeat scoreline when the two meet on the opening weekend of Vodacom Super Rugby, with the Blues hosting the Chiefs in North Harbour.
Blues – Tries: Steven Luatua, Simon Hickey. Conversions: Simon Hickey (2). Penalties: Ihaia West (2).
Chiefs – Tries: Johan Bardoul, Ben Tameifuna, Brad Weber, James Lowe (2), Tevita Koloamatangi. Conversions: Damian McKenzie (2), Marty McKenzie (2). Penalty: Marty McKenzie.
Blues – 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Ben Lam, 13 George Moala, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Joe Edwards, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Angus Ta'avo, 2 Matt Moulds, 1 Sam Prattley.
Subs (from): Nic Mayhew, James Parsons, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Culum Retallick, Tom Murday, Blake Gibson, Simon Hickey, Hamish Northcott, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Jamison Gibson-Park, Matt McGahan, Dan Bowden, Matt Vaega, Pita Akhi, Brynn Hall, Frank Halai, Melani Nanai, Will Lloyd, Jack Ram.
Chiefs – 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Maa'ma Vaipulu, 7 Sean Polwart, 6 Johan Bardoul, 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Quentin McDonald, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs (from): Michael Allardice, Tim Bond, Rhys Marshall, Siate Tokolahi, Mitchell Graham, Josh Dowsing, Tevita Koloamatangi, Kayne Hammington, Marty McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Robbie Robinson, Jamie Mackintosh, Mitchell Crosswell, Tim Nanai-Williams, Brian Alainu’uese.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
