Chiefs are too good for Blues in thriller

In a repeat of last season’s final, the Chiefs beat the Blues in a thriller to go top and continue the champions’ nightmare title defence.

- By BEN JAYCOCK

The Blues had a chance to win the game when a perfect crossfield kick from Stephen Perofeta found Rieko Ioane who scored with five minutes to go.

Debutant Xavi Taele was handed the kick from the sideline and looked on its way to sneak in before slamming into the right upright.

In the chaotic final minutes, the visitors won a penalty with a minute left through Anton Segner but didn’t find touch.

A strange call to kick it back to the Blues gave them a final chance, with a crossfield kick cleaned up by the Chiefs to ensure top spot on the ladder.

The Chiefs got off to the perfect start as late replacement Daniel Rona scored the opener.

The hosts had an eight-point lead before winger AJ Lam, who was in for Caleb Clarke, answered straight back.

Damian McKenzie took advantage of some confusion from a dropped ball to spin and score for a 15-7 lead.

However, Blues looked desperate to climb off the bottom of the table and scored either side of half time through Mark Tele’a and Corey Evans.