Blues v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 15 February
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
The Chiefs have already had their rematch clause from last year's final invoked, finding themselves back on hostile territory to start the new season. A Blues side arguably even stronger than last year awaits them on a sunny evening at Eden Park, one that lifted the title last year through a return to the old Auckland rugby tactic of simply being the biggest bullies in the competition. Well-earned confidence or impending hubris? This tough first encounter will give us an indication.
Blues Akira Ioane and Rieko Ioane celebrate their win during the Super Rugby Pacific Final. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Team lists
Blues: 1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Cameron Suafoa, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Beauden Barrett
Bench: 16. Nathaniel Pole, 17. Josh Fusitua, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Che Clark, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Corey Evans, 23. Cole Forbes
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris 2. Brodie McAlister 3. George Dyer 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5. Josh Lord 6. Simon Parker 7. Kaylum Boshier 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Xavier Roe 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Damian McKenzie
Bench: 16. Bradley Slater 17. Aidan Ross 18. Reuben O'Neill 19. Tupou Vaa'i 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Emoni Narawa
Blues selections
Harry Plummer leaps into the sky. Photo: Photosport
Harry Plummer at first five and Beauden Barrett at fullback is the big talking point, but it makes sense as Stephen Perofeta and Zarn Sullivan are both injured. There's more than adequate backup on the bench in Cole Forbes as well, while up front the only enforced change is Laghlan McWhannell starts at lock. One move that has gone under the radar is Taufa Funaki starting at halfback over Finlay Christie, however when Christie was injured last year Funaki really made the most of his chance.
Chiefs selections
Leroy Carter runs in a Try for New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Like the Blues, the Chiefs have tinkered with the 10-15 axis but the reasons for doing so are a lot less clear. Josh Jacomb is a highly touted prospect but no one had predicting him getting a start over Damian McKenzie, which means both All Black first fives are playing fullback instead. Clayton McMillan has opted to save five test players for the second half, however it's still a very well-balanced backline with exciting All Blacks Sevens wing Leroy Carter set to make his debut.
The last time they met
Blues 41 - 10 Chiefs
The Blues and their fans didn't even need to wait till halftime to start celebrating this one, as it was one way traffic to the title in last year's final. The only real question was which one of the home side would be man of the match, also how on earth the Chiefs managed to save their worst performance for last. The only real positive for the Chiefs was that they now know exactly what not to do this time around.
What's going to happen
If there's one thing that the Blues thrive on, it's confidence and the knowledge that they've re-established Eden Park as their own fortress. They will look to land a few heavy shots early and let the Chiefs try and chase the game, which will likely be done from deep in the visitors' own half. If the Chiefs are to have a shot here, it will require the Jacomb experiment to go off without a hitch, because he will certainly have a target on him for the Blues' loose forwards.
