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Blues destroy Chiefs in Super Rugby pre-season friendly

February 2, 2019
Matt Manukia breaks down the Blues' squad for next season.

The Blues have stated their credentials as Super Rugby dark horses for 2019, coming away with a convincing 43-10 victory over the Chiefs in Kaikohe this afternoon.

Under new coach Leon MacDonald, the Blues were simply too good for the Chiefs, handing starts to promising youngsters Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke and Levi Aumua, quickly finding the upper hand.

Second-five TJ Faiane was the first to score for the Blues, capitalising on a trademark Akira Ioane run to cross over, before the Chiefs hit back straight away through Orbyn Ledger after just 15 minutes.

The Chiefs would then take the lead through Australian Jack Debreczeni, smartly set up by halfback Brad Weber.

Blues captain James Parsons then put his side back into the ascendancy, with Plummer then adding the extras to give the Blues a 12-10 lead.

Clarke was the next to repay the faith of MacDonald, beating a number of Chiefs defenders to score under the posts, giving the Blues a 19-10 halftime lead, before the winger had a double to open the scoring in the second spell.

Melani Nanai grabbed the Blues' fifth try of the afternoon, while Otere Black made a welcome return having spent the last 12 months sidelined with a knee injury.

Tanielu Tele'a finished things off for the Blues, grabbing his side's final try as the Blues powered to an emphatic win with Super Rugby now just two weeks away.

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