Chiefs 12-24 Blues: Blues end nine-year drought in Hamilton

The Blues overcame an error-strewn first half to claim a 24-12 victory and condemn the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby Aotearoa defeats.

 

 

Beauden Barrett helped the Blues shift through the gears and shake off the Chiefs in a 24-12 Super Rugby Aotearoa triumph - their first in Hamilton since 2011.

The Blues scored the only try of the first half, Hoskins Sotutu burrowing over after his fellow forwards laid siege to the Chiefs line.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

It's the Blues who claim the Battle of the Bombays! ✅5th consecutive win on the road, a new franchise record ✅ First win over the Chiefs away from home since 2011! ✅ 6th consecutive victory #SuperRugby #CHIvBLU

A post shared by Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) on Jun 20, 2020 at 1:48am PDT

That score was largely against the run of the opening 40 minutes, with Damian McKenzie's unerring boot keeping the Chiefs in touch as their opponents' penalty count mounted.

Goalkicker Otere Black made way for the Blues after the hour, allowing Barrett to move forward to fly-half.

The switch paid instant dividends as the All Blacks superstar landed a 64th-minute drop goal. Five minutes later, his penalty opened up a seven-point advantage.

Beauden Barrett makes it look easy 🎯 #CHIvBLU #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/H12FniZnAz

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 20, 2020

The Blues did not look back from that point and Mark Telea finished brilliantly in the corner to make the game safe.

Barrett was unable to add the extras from the touchline but his influence had already proved decisive in securing a franchise record fifth consecutive win away from home.

That final pass from Sotutu 🔥 #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvBLU pic.twitter.com/BxLSMYJ6P6

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 20, 2020