Blues 15
Chiefs 19
The Chiefs have made the perfect start to life under new coach Jono Gibbes, and pinched the ‘battle of the Bombays’ to defeat the Blues at Eden Park in their 2026 season opener.
A late try to replacement halfback Cortez Ratima saw 2025’s beaten finalists claim a see-saw encounter, dominated by strong performances from each forward pack.
For the second Kiwi derby in as many days, victory was decided by less than a converted try, as a show of just how close New Zealand’s sides are.
All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i proved a menace for the Chiefs, on both sides of the ball, grabbing a try as well as being relentless on defence.
Club and country teammate Quinn Tupaea was also quietly excellent in helping marshalling the backline, missing Damian McKenzie after the birth of his first child.
Meanwhile, despite defeat, the Blues can be content with a number of players’ displays. Stand-in captain Dalton Papali’i was exceptional, as was the returning Pita Ahki - back for his first Blues appearance since 2015 - and Zarn Sullivan at fullback.
However, having been to four of the last five Super Rugby finals, the Chiefs showed again that they’ll be contenders in 2026 as well, even without former coach Clayton McMillan.
After a cagey start that saw both sides trade possession through handling errors, and miss a kick at goal apiece, Eden Park had to wait until the 32nd minute for the first points of the night.
Both sides went close early; Blues hooker Bradley Slater was held-up in goal by Daniel Rona, while Vaa’i couldn’t latch onto a crossfield kick from Quinn Tupaea.
But as halftime crept closer, a defused Blues counter attack saw Josh Jacomb find touch with a 50-22. From the resulting lineout, an acrobatic leap saw Tupou Vaa’i clear the Blues’ defence for the opening try.
The Blues didn’t need long to hit back, though. A powerful run down the left touchline from Caleb Clarke took the hosts inside the Chiefs’ 22, before Ahki put Sullivan into a hole to score unopposed.
To make matters worse for the Chiefs, Kaylum Boshier’s shoulder connected with the head of Blues prop Josh Fusitu’a before the break, and saw his side reduced to 14-men to finish a first-half that ended at 5-5.
While Eden Park had to wait more than half an hour for the first points of the opening 40 minutes, it took just 12 for the second.
As the Cotter-inspired forwards began to find their footing, the Blues worked patiently towards the Chiefs’ tryline, before Papali’i worked his way over from close range. And as Sullivan took the kicking tee from Stephen Perofeta, the Blues’ trailing 0-5 had become a 12-5 advantage.
Behind for the first time on the night, the Chiefs’ forwards answered, as Samisoni Taukei’aho barged over from a lineout drive, as Jacomb landed his first kick of the night to level scores at 12-apiece.
With both defences holding, the Blues didn’t waste the chance to take the lead from the tee, as Sullivan added another three to put his side back in front, as the final 10 minutes approached.
With the game on the line, Vaa’i and Naitoa Ah Kuoi thwarted a Blues lineout drive in the corner, but found the Chiefs going backwards when a Ratima box kick was charged down soon after.
But Ratima would ultimately have the final say, as the halfback popped up in the right place at the right time to race away and score after being put clean through by Samipeni Finau, and leave the Blues with four minutes to find the winner.
Instead, a yellow card for a cynical infringement by replacement halfback Sam Nock ended the Blues’ chance of snatching victory, as the visitors left Eden Park victorious.
The Blues will now pack their bags and prepare for a long trip to Perth to face the Western Force next week, while the Chiefs stay on the road and travel to Dunedin where they’ll meet the Highlanders.
Blues 15 (Sullivan, Papali’i tries; Sullivan conversion, Sullivan penalty)
Chiefs 19 (Vaa’i, Taukei’aho, Ratima tries; Jacomb 2 conversions)
HT: 5-5
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.