'Not really that genuine': Blues captain's brutal honestly about Chiefs' loss

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu described the opening round loss to the Chiefs as ‘very frustrating’ as the defending champs couldn’t celebrate veteran Ofa Tu’ungafasi’s 150th in style.

The milestone came on opening night with a Grand Final rematch, ultimately the Chiefs earning some revenge with a 25-14 win off the back of a double to fullback Damian McKenzie.

While the Chiefs backs finished with a host of tries, including one for New Zealand sevens star and debutant Leroy Carter, it was up front where Tuipolotu was gutted about what had unfolded.

He spoke of his disappointment that the Blues hadn’t aimed up physically for the clash despite talking about what they were going to do.

“Very frustrating,” captain Tuipulotu said to media post-game.

“During the week, we talked about the physicality of the game, but in the end probably just paid lip service to it. Not really that genuine.

“The Chiefs, they played the physical game tonight and we didn’t really fire back.

“Probably talked about doing something and expecting it to happen. Being out there, yeah, a few flurries they had.

Player Line Breaks

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Damian McKenzie

3

2

Leroy Carter

3

3

Mark Tele'a

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The Chiefs finished with seven line breaks to the Blues’ three, which came off the back of a mountain of carries 177 to 116.

The visitors dominated with 64 per cent territory and 58 per cent possession.

“Very tough for someone so special in our group, for the service that he’s put towards this jersey,” Tuipulotu said of Tu’ungafasi.

Head coach Vern Cotter highlighted the ruck as being a problem area for the Blues and the neutralisation of the scrum, which was a weapon for the Blues during their championship run.

“Today, it [ruck] was [a problem], because we couldn’t turn it around,” head coach Vern Cotter said.

“We spoke about it, but we couldn’t turn it around. So I mean once again, we’ll look at, look at how we how we prepared, and then we’ll have a look at how we executed, and then we’ll look at how we adapted to their tactics in and around that phase of play.

“I think probably next time we play them, you know, we’ll be better prepared.”