The Blues suffered their third warm-up defeat this season, losing 43-19 to the Chiefs in Rotorua.

The 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby champions opened the scoring when Rhys Marshall went over, and the tries continued to roll in from there. Loose forwards Liam Messam and Sam Cane scored a try apiece, before the Blues hit back through All Black Charles Piutau.

Piutau scored his second try just before the break, but Aaron Cruden responded with a penalty to make it 24-12 at half-time.

Nick Crosswell, James Lowe and new recruit Robbie Fruean all scored for the Chiefs in the second half, while Jackson Willison added his name to the Blues’ try-scorer list late in the game.

Blues – 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Lolagi Visinia, 10 Benji Marshall, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid (c), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Sam Prattley.
Subs: 16 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 17 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 18 Tom McCartney, 19 Angus Ta'avao, 20 William Lloyd, 21 Patrick Tuipulotu, 22 Kane Barrett, 23 Jordan Manihera, 24 Brendon O'Connor, 25 Bryn Hall, 26 Chris Noakes, 27 Simon Hickey, 28 Jackson Willison, 29 Tevita Li, 30 Albert Nikora.

Chiefs – 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 James Lowe, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Anton Leinert-Brown, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images