Chiefs 32 - 31 Blues

Full time

15 Mar 2025

Stage: Regular Season Round 5

FMG Stadium Waikato

The Chiefs triumphed over the Blues with a nail-biting 32-31 victory at FMG Stadium Waikato. Daniel Rona opened the scoring with a try in the 13th minute, followed by a penalty from Damian McKenzie to extend their lead. The Blues responded with a try from AJ Lam, but McKenzie quickly countered with a try of his own before halftime. A flurry of second-half tries included notable performances from Tupou Vaa'i and Cortez Ratima for the Chiefs, while Rieko Ioane scored late for the Blues. The match saw both teams exchange leads, with McKenzie’s kicking proving crucial for the Chiefs. A late yellow card for the Chiefs put them under pressure, but they held on for the victory. The match showcased intense competition and remarkable individual efforts from both sides.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: United Kingdom

Weather

Temperature: 19.9°C (Feels like 18.0°C) Condition: MostlyCloudy Wind: 15.2 km/h, gusting to 25.2 km/h Humidity: 67% Cloud Cover: 67%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
13'

Try

Daniel Rona · Chiefs

5 - 0
24'

Penalty

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

8 - 0
32'

Try

AJ Lam · Blues

8 - 5
33'

Conversion

Harry Plummer · Blues

8 - 7
35'

Try

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

13 - 7
36'

Conversion

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

15 - 7
39'

Try

Mark Tele'a · Blues

15 - 12
Halftime 15 - 12
Second Half
45'

Substitution

Josh Fusitu'a on for Jordan Lay · Blues
45'

Substitution

Josh Beehre on for Laghlan McWhannell · Blues
47'

Yellow Card

Naitoa Ah Kuoi · Chiefs
49'

Try

Corey Evans · Blues

15 - 17
50'

Conversion

Harry Plummer · Blues

15 - 19
50'

Substitution

Cortez Ratima on for Xavier Roe · Chiefs
50'

Substitution

Samisoni Taukei'aho on for Brodie McAlister · Chiefs
54'

Yellow Card

Xavi Taele · Blues
57'

Try

Tupou Vaa'i · Chiefs

20 - 19
57'

Yellow Card Complete

Naitoa Ah Kuoi · Chiefs
58'

Conversion

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

22 - 19
58'

Substitution

Stephen Perofeta on for Harry Plummer · Blues
58'

Substitution

Marcel Renata on for Angus Ta'avao · Blues
58'

Substitution

Samipeni Finau on for Luke Jacobson · Chiefs
59'

Substitution

Sione Ahio on for George Dyer · Chiefs
59'

Substitution

Aidan Ross on for Ollie Norris · Chiefs
61'

Try

Cortez Ratima · Chiefs

27 - 19
62'

Conversion

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

29 - 19
62'

Substitution

Tristyn Cook on for Anton Segner · Blues
62'

Substitution

Cole Forbes on for AJ Lam · Blues
62'

Substitution

Finlay Christie on for Sam Nock · Blues
64'

Try

Marcel Renata · Blues

29 - 24
64'

Yellow Card Complete

Xavi Taele · Blues
65'

Conversion

Xavi Taele · Blues

29 - 26
66'

Substitution

Josh Jacomb on for Shaun Stevenson · Chiefs
70'

Penalty

Damian McKenzie · Chiefs

32 - 26
70'

Substitution

Jimmy Tupou on for Naitoa Ah Kuoi · Chiefs
73'

Substitution

Anton Segner on for Tristyn Cook · Blues
74'

Try

Rieko Ioane · Blues

32 - 31
Fulltime 32 - 31

Player ratings

Chiefs

15 Shaun Stevenson 6.5
14 Emoni Narawa 6.6
13 Daniel Rona 7.1
12 Quinn Tupaea 6.6
11 Leroy Carter 7.7
10 Damian McKenzie 8.1
9 Xavier Roe 6.6
1 Ollie Norris 6.7
2 Brodie McAlister 7.7
3 George Dyer 6.9
4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5.7
5 Tupou Vaa'i 8.1
6 Simon Parker 7.5
7 Jahrome Brown 6.7
8 Luke Jacobson 7.7
16 Samisoni Taukei'aho 7.4
17 Aidan Ross 6.4
18 Sione Ahio 6.4
19 Jimmy Tupou 6.3
20 Samipeni Finau 7.0
21 Cortez Ratima 7.4
22 Josh Jacomb 6.2
23 Gideon Wrampling –

Blues

15 Corey Evans 8.4
14 Mark Tele'a 8.3
13 Rieko Ioane 7.5
12 Xavi Taele 5.5
11 AJ Lam 6.9
10 Harry Plummer 7.2
9 Sam Nock 6.6
1 Jordan Lay 6.4
2 Kurt Eklund 7.3
3 Angus Ta'avao 6.9
4 Patrick Tuipulotu 6.4
5 Laghlan McWhannell 6.5
6 Cam Christie 6.4
7 Dalton Papali'i 7.0
8 Anton Segner 7.5
16 Nathaniel Pole –
17 Josh Fusitu'a 6.1
18 Marcel Renata 6.7
19 Josh Beehre 5.7
20 Tristyn Cook 6.0
21 Finlay Christie 5.9
22 Stephen Perofeta 6.3
23 Cole Forbes 6.1