Auckland, NZ – The Blues are champions at last, triumphing over the Chiefs with a decisive 41-10 victory in the Super Rugby Pacific 2024 Grand Final at Eden Park. In a rain-soaked spectacle, the Blues delivered a dominant performance, highlighted by Caleb Clarke's hat-trick, Harry Plummer's flawless kicking, and an emotional farewell for Akira Ioane. Patrick Tuipulotu, named Man of the Match, led his team with resilience and strength.
Match Summary
Blues 41 (Akira Ioane 12’, Caleb Clarke 21’, 51’, 62’, AJ Lam 73’ tries; Harry Plummer 5 con, 2 pen)Chiefs 10 (Simon Parker 66’ try; Damian McKenzie pen, con).HT: 20-3Yellow card: George Dyer (Chiefs)
Key Moments
11’: Akira Ioane opened the scoring for the Blues with a try, converted by Harry Plummer.
15’: Harry Plummer extended the lead with a penalty.
21’: Caleb Clarke scored his first try of the night, converted by Plummer.
40’: Plummer added another penalty just before halftime, putting the Blues ahead 20-3.
51’: Clarke’s second try, followed by Plummer's conversion, further solidified the lead.
62’: Clarke completed his hat-trick, with Plummer converting.
66’: Simon Parker scored a consolation try for the Chiefs, converted by McKenzie.
73’: AJ Lam’s late try, converted by Plummer, sealed the game at 41-10.
Commanding Performance by the Blues
From the outset, the Blues demonstrated their dominance, with a well-coordinated attack and solid defence that left the Chiefs struggling to find their footing on the slippery field. Caleb Clarke set the tone early, scoring his first try in the 21st minute after a brilliant setup by Harry Plummer. Plummer, who was impeccable with the boot, converted the try to give the Blues a 7-0 lead.
The Chiefs responded with a penalty conversion by Damian McKenzie in the 18th minute, making it 7-3. However, the Blues quickly reasserted their control with a penalty by Plummer in the 15th minute and a try from Akira Ioane in the 11th minute, also converted by Plummer, extending their lead to 17-3.
The Blues' relentless pressure continued with another penalty kick by Plummer just before halftime, putting them ahead 20-3 at the break.
Tactical Masterclass in the Second Half
The second half was a testament to the Blues' superior game management. The Chiefs struggled to mount a comeback under the relentless pressure from the Blues, who kept the game primarily in the Chiefs' half. Despite the challenging conditions, the Blues maintained control, with Harry Plummer adding another penalty to extend the lead to 20-3.
Caleb Clarke completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute, igniting the crowd despite the downpour. Plummer’s conversion made it 27-3, further solidifying the Blues’ commanding lead. The Chiefs managed a consolation try through Simon Parker in the 65th minute, converted by McKenzie, but it was too little too late.
AJ Lam added another try for the Blues in the 72nd minute, converted by Plummer, sealing the game at 41-10.
Key Players and Farewells
Caleb Clarke: Clarke's hat-trick was the highlight of the match, showcasing his speed and agility in challenging conditions.
Harry Plummer: Plummer's flawless kicking, converting all seven of his attempts and adding a penalty, significantly contributed to the Blues' score. Notably, Plummer's father has been the Physiotherapists for the Blues since the days of Carlos Spencer, adding a sentimental touch to the victory.
Akira Ioane: Playing his final game for the Blues, Ioane was instrumental in the forwards' dominance and received an emotional send-off.
Patrick Tuipulotu: The Blues captain made an inspirational return from a serious knee injury, leading his team with resilience and strength, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Wallace Sititi: Despite the Chiefs' struggles, Sititi was a standout player, showing great strength and determination in the forward pack.
Post-Match Reactions
Blues Captain, Patrick Tuipulotu: "Thanks to Luke and his team for tonight's game. It was a surreal feeling, a lot of joy, and I'm really proud of the effort. It's important to this team to add to the legacy. There was an immense impact from the coach in our structured play. I wish Akira Ioane all the best; he played out of his skin this whole ten years. We will miss him; he leaves as a legend."
Chiefs Captain, Luke Jacobson: "It was a very tough match. Credit to the Blues for playing an awesome season. Thanks to the fans and sorry for not getting it done. Thanks to my team, management, and coaches for all their hard work."
A Season to Remember
The Blues' comprehensive victory in the Super Rugby Pacific 2024 Grand Final marks a significant achievement, ending a long wait for the championship. The last time the Blues won a Super Rugby title was in 2003, making this victory even more special. Their performance, characterised by strategic brilliance and unwavering discipline, will be remembered as one of the standout moments in Super Rugby history. The rain added an extra layer of challenge, making the Blues' triumph all the more impressive and memorable for the packed Eden Park crowd.
With this victory, the Blues have set a high standard for the seasons to come, and fans will eagerly anticipate their defence of the title in 2025.se of the title in 2025.
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