Blues rain on Chiefs' parade

Luke McAlister kicked the Blues to a narrow 16-13 Super Rugby victory over the Chiefs at a rain-soaked Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

The Chiefs scored two tries to their opponents' one but the visitors came through in the crucial phases to seal the win.

The greasy conditions were evident early on as Liam Messam gave the hosts a first-minute lead in an almost comical start.

Chiefs full-back Mike Delany slipped as he attempted a clearing kick, but the Blues then also let the ball slip and No. 8 Messam eventually won the race for the ball to touch down after it was kicked ahead.

The home side scored again after 21 minutes following another turnover, with the ball this time bouncing off wing Joe Rokocoko's head.

Break

Wing Lelia Masaga took play infield, where it was moved left to Sitiveni Sivivatu, who broke through and handed the ball to supporting centre Tana Umaga.

He was dragged down short but Sona Taumalolo eventually powered over the line to make it a 10-0 lead for the Chiefs.

McAlister got the Blues on the board soon after as he slotted over a penalty and the visitors put further pressure on the Chiefs leading up to half-time, with six scrums in quick succession.

The Chiefs managed to hold out, but then failed to control the ball just before the interval and were eventually penalised for a knock-on, allowing McAlister to send over his second penalty and reduce the gap to four points at the break.

The Chiefs almost grabbed a third try moments into the second half as Brendon Leonard intercepted a Rokocoko pass 80 metres out from the Blues line.

Danger

He raced away towards the try-line but was brought down short in the Blues 22-metre area by Isaia Toeava and the danger was cleared.

The Blues made the most of the let-off after 55 minutes when Toeava took a reverse pass from Rokocoko and raced away downfield.

He was tackled but the ball was quickly recycled and Jared Payne won the race to touch down from McAlister's neat grubber kick.

McAlister then added the extras to give the Blues a 13-10 lead but Delany replied with a penalty to level the contest.

But fly-half McAlister settled things inside the final 10 minutes when he nailed a penalty from 45 metres out to give the Blues what would prove to be a decisive lead.