Cortez Ratima produced a match-winning moment of brilliance as the Chiefs stormed back to defeat the Blues 19–15 in a tense Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park on Saturday.
The All Blacks scrum-half struck with just four minutes remaining, finishing off a decisive counterattack to silence the home crowd and seal a dramatic comeback victory in a contest dominated by defensive grit.
Defences Dominate Early Exchanges
Both sides struggled to convert early opportunities in a cagey opening quarter. Former Chiefs hooker Bradley Slater nearly handed the Blues the perfect start but was held up over the line by desperate defence.
The Chiefs gradually built momentum, and lock Tupou Vaa’i broke the deadlock, diving over after sustained pressure to give the visitors a deserved lead.
The Blues responded through explosive wing Caleb Clarke, whose powerful break set the platform for fullback Zarn Sullivan to crash over and level the scores.
A yellow card to Chiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier just before halftime left the sides deadlocked at 5–5 heading into the interval.
Blues Edge Ahead Before Chiefs Respond
The Blues capitalised shortly after the restart, with captain Dalton Papali’i finishing off a sustained attack to give the hosts the lead.
But the Chiefs hit back through hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who peeled away from a driving maul to score and level the contest once more.
Sullivan’s boot nudged the Blues back in front after sloppy Chiefs handling presented a scoring opportunity, setting up a tense final quarter.
Ratima Delivers the Decisive Blow
With the match hanging in the balance, the Chiefs found their breakthrough. A powerful surge from Samipeni Finau split the defence before Ratima backed up in support, sprinting clear to score the match-winning try.
The Blues’ hopes faded further when scrum-half Sam Nock was yellow-carded late, and a missed lineout ended their final chance of a comeback.
Chiefs 19 (Tries: Ratima, Taukei’aho, Vaa’i; Cons: Jacomb 2) def Blues 15 (Tries: Sullivan, Papali’i; Cons: Sullivan; Pens: Sullivan)
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Akhi, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Sam Darry, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai.
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Kaylum Boshier, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Jared Proffit.
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Maggie Cogger-Orr
TMO: Brett Cronan
English