Blues beat Chiefs to notch consolation win

The Blues took a bonus point from a 39-19 win over the Chiefs in their final regular-season match in Super Rugby Aotearoa last night.

All Blacks No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu scored a try in the 74th minute and replacement A.J. Lam scored a double in the last five minutes — his second try after the full-time siren — to give the Blues a six-tries-to-one win.

The win lifted the Blues level on points with the Chiefs, who entered the match in second place on the championship table.

But the Chiefs already had qualified to face the Crusaders in next weekend’s tournament final and fielded an under-strength side, including five players on Super Rugby debut. Former All Blacks backrower Liam Messam also returned at age 37 to play his 180th Super Rugby match, his first in two years.

The Chiefs will face the Crusaders at 7.05pm Saturday.

[Source: TVNZ]