BLUES DEFEATED BY CHIEFS IN ROUND 16

The Blues will turn their attention to a qualifying final against the Crusaders in Christchurch after falling 59-34 to the Chiefs in their final regular season match in Hamilton on Saturday night.

With a top four finish already secured heading into Round 16, the Blues were searching for a win to lock in third place on the ladder but were unable to contain a Chiefs side that produced a clinical second half performance at FMG Stadium Waikato.

The visitors made the perfect start when impressive loose forward Torian Barnes powered over for the opening try, helping the Blues establish a 10-0 lead inside the opening quarter.

The Chiefs responded with a strong period before halftime, scoring three unanswered tries to swing momentum in their favour. However, the Blues stayed in the contest through a well-worked finish from AJ Lam shortly before the break to trail 19-15 at halftime.

The hosts extended their advantage early in the second half, but there was a memorable moment for debutant hooker Eli Oudenryn, who crossed for a try just six minutes into his Super Rugby Pacific career.

Despite continuing to fight hard, the Blues were unable to halt a Chiefs attack that found its rhythm after the break, with the home side running in several second-half tries to build an unassailable lead.

There were positives late for the Blues, with All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke powering over and Xavi Taele adding another score as the visitors continued to attack until the final whistle.

While the result sees the Blues finish fourth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, attention now shifts to next week's qualifying final against rivals the Crusaders at ONE NZ Stadium.

Blues 34: (Torian Barnes, AJ Lam, Eli Oudenryn, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele tries; Stephen Sullivan 3 conversions, penalty)
Chiefs 59: (Daniel Sinkinson 2, Kyren Taumoefolau, Tyrone Thompson, Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Reon Paul tries)