Blues head coach Vern Cotter during a Blues Super Rugby Pacific training session at Alexandra Park in Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
Chiefs v Blues
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
While the Super Rugby playoff picture appears complicated, it's a very simple equation for the Blues.
The new finals format is introduced this weekend, which features a second life for one 'lucky loser.'
However, there will be no such reprieve for the defending champions.
No calculators required; win and progress, or lose and it's 'better luck next year'.
"The weight is off the shoulders. We have qualified. It's 80 minutes of rugby. It's pretty straightforward," said Blues coach Vern Cotter.
The Blues have arguably the toughest task of all sides this weekend, heading down the highway to meet a rampant Chiefs side.
"It hasn't been an easy season. But we love this time of year, this is what we are in this game for, to be able to challenge for trophies. The objective is clear, it's a knockout game, we need to win to move forward."
The quarter-final may see the final appearances in blue for the departing Mark Tele'a, Harry Plummer, Ricky Riccitelli, and Adrian Choat, however there will be no focus on farewells.
"That was last week. Now it's just about playoffs and winning."
While it's been a poor campaign from the Blues, squeaking into the top six at the expense of a Moana Pasifika side which ran out of gas, Cotter has seen a positive trend from his side in the past month, which most recently included a 46-6 drubbing of the Waratahs to secure their finals berth.
"It's all about timing, you've just got to get there, and this is the time you front. As much as the team has been criticised, it has held tough."
Rieko Ioane with Blues head coach Vern Cotter. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made a surprise selection for the quarter, opting to shift 2024 breakout sensation Wallace Sititi to the bench.
"That's representative of the depth they have, if we start well, we will we have to finish well because they are a team that can turn things around at any moment, and their bench has been big for them this year."
One area of vulnerability for the Chiefs may be their midfield, with incumbents Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea both sidelined with injury.
Conversely, Blues centre Reiko Ioane responded to weeks of criticism for poor performances with a hat-trick in the Waratahs rout.
"We have gone into play-off mode now."
