After two solid wins in pre-season games against Moana Pasifika last week and the Blues in Pukekohe on Friday, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan was staying grounded ahead of the opening of DHL Super Rugby Pacific next week.
The Chiefs had a 47-33 win, coming back from a disappointing first third in the game of three 30-minute spells.
“That first 30 was pretty dusty - 30 per cent possession, 30 per cent territory. You can’t survive against quality teams with those numbers.
“Our set piece was a bit dusty, and that’s an area we pride ourselves on.
“But we scored some nice tries, and, at times, some of the stuff we’ve been working on round our phase play and carry-clean game looked quite good.”
The Blues played their more experienced group in the first third and part of the second. When several of the All Blacks were replaced, the Blues led 19-14.
Assistant coach Dan Halangahu said: “It was all about combinations for us, and we got some good combinations going early on. They put a lot of pressure on us in that second and third period, so there’s a fair bit of work for us to do as well.”
Chiefs 47 (Peniasi Malimali, Simon Parker, Samison Taukei’aho 2, Shaun Stevenson 2, Etene Nanai-Seturo tries; Bryn Gatland con; Josh Ioane con; Damian McKenzie 3 con) Blues 33 (Caleb Clarke, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Finlay Christie, Soane Vikena, Zarn Sullivan tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 con; Sullivan 2 con). 1/3: 7-12, 2/3: 35-26
The Chiefs had a 47-33 win, coming back from a disappointing first third in the game of three 30-minute spells.
“That first 30 was pretty dusty - 30 per cent possession, 30 per cent territory. You can’t survive against quality teams with those numbers.
“Our set piece was a bit dusty, and that’s an area we pride ourselves on.
“But we scored some nice tries, and, at times, some of the stuff we’ve been working on round our phase play and carry-clean game looked quite good.”
The Blues played their more experienced group in the first third and part of the second. When several of the All Blacks were replaced, the Blues led 19-14.
Assistant coach Dan Halangahu said: “It was all about combinations for us, and we got some good combinations going early on. They put a lot of pressure on us in that second and third period, so there’s a fair bit of work for us to do as well.”
Chiefs 47 (Peniasi Malimali, Simon Parker, Samison Taukei’aho 2, Shaun Stevenson 2, Etene Nanai-Seturo tries; Bryn Gatland con; Josh Ioane con; Damian McKenzie 3 con) Blues 33 (Caleb Clarke, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Finlay Christie, Soane Vikena, Zarn Sullivan tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 con; Sullivan 2 con). 1/3: 7-12, 2/3: 35-26