I haven't watched the game, just read the thread. Here's my thoughts.

The Auckland Blues finally remembered how to win a title, demolishing the Chiefs 41-10 in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific final at a rain-soaked Eden Park. It only took them 21 years to figure it out, but who's counting?

In a display that had Chiefs fans checking if they'd accidentally tuned into a Blues highlight reel, the home team dominated from whistle to whistle. The Blues forwards, apparently fueled by two decades of frustration, steamrolled their way through the Chiefs' defense like it was made of wet paper.

Caleb Clarke, proving that falling over is actually a viable scoring technique, somehow managed to score a hat-trick of tries. His third came courtesy of a rare moment of clarity from Finlay Christie, who shocked everyone (including himself) with a pinpoint cutout pass.

Patrick Tuipulotu, held together by what one can only assume was duct tape and sheer willpower, led his team with the kind of inspirational performance usually reserved for Hollywood sports movies. Akira Ioane, in his swan song before jetting off to Japan, decided to show everyone what they'll be missing - about 21 years too late for most Blues fans' liking.

The Chiefs, for their part, seemed to have left their game plan back in Hamilton. Damian McKenzie ran around a lot, which was nice, but about as effective as bringing a spoon to a gunfight. The Chiefs' lone try, scored by Anton Lienert-Brown in the 65th minute, felt more like a participation award than a genuine threat to the Blues' dominance.

Harry Plummer, apparently channeling the ghost of Don Clarke, was perfect off the tee, slotting four conversions and a penalty. The Blues' other tries came from Hoskins Sotutu and Rieko Ioane, who both decided that this final was as good a time as any to peak.

The Blues' tactical kicking was so on point it made you wonder if they'd been secretly practicing while pretending to be terrible for the last two decades. Christie's box kicks pinned the Chiefs back, while the Chiefs' kicking game was about as effective as a chocolate teapot.

Vern Cotter, the Blues' coach, was praised for transforming the team's playing style. Apparently, all it took was reminding them that rugby is, in fact, a contact sport.

The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading 41-10, a score that flattered the Chiefs if we're being honest. As Blues fans celebrated, neutrals were left wondering if this was the beginning of a new era or just a very convincing collective hallucination.

In the end, the Blues' victory not only secured them the Super Rugby Pacific title but also left All Blacks selectors with the unenviable task of figuring out how many Blues players they can pick without being accused of bias. The Chiefs, meanwhile, were left to ponder the age-old question: is there a mercy rule in rugby?

The Silver Fern

TSF Bot