Blues vs Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs backed for another winning start
Two of the great names of Super Rugby meet on the first weekend of this year's season as the Blues host the Chiefs on Saturday (06:05 GMT, Sky Sports+). Eden Park sets the scene for an all-Kiwi clash between two familiar foes.
The Chiefs topped the log in 2025 but lost to the Blues in the Qualifying Finals. However, top seeding gave them a second chance in the semis and they beat the Brumbies before losing in the Grand Final to the team that had downed the Blues, the Crusaders. These two have met five times in the opening round of Super Rugby. The Chiefs have won the last three of those and the men from Waikato can get another result in Auckland. Read on for my Blues vs Chiefs predictions.
Blues vs Chiefs Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publication
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The Blues are 7/5 to win their 2026 opener, with the Chiefs 8/13 to get the job done.
A tie is 22/1, while the Handicap 3-Way is set at four points, with the Chiefs -4 available at 10/11.
Team News
With lock Patrick Tuipulotu out due to a shoulder injury, Dalton Papali'i will captain a Blues team that features three debutants in hooker Bradley Slater, flanker Torian Barnes and replacement back Codemeru Vai.
Fly-half Beauden Barrett is unavailable as he continues his return to play schedule after featuring for the All Blacks in the autumn.
The Chiefs have named four debutants in starting wing Kyren Taumoefolau, while prop Kyle Brown, and backs Benet Kumeroa and Tepaea Cook-Savage will make their bows off the bench.
Barrett's international rival Damian McKenzie is not considered following the birth of his first child earlier this week.
Chiefs by 1-12 points inclusive @ 19/10
The Blues won last season's play-off clash, but the Chiefs are a consistent outfit who tend to start their campaigns well.
They have won three of the last four regular-season meetings with the Aucklanders, but all of last year's games were tight.
The Chiefs' two wins came by margins of 11 and one points, while the Blues won their play-off by a point after Barrett had converted Josh Beehre's 83rd-minute try.
Saturday's visitors could shade this game and beat the Blues in the opening round for the fourth time in a row.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Kyren Taumoefolau to score a try @ 21/20
Chiefs' new boy Taumoefolau showed up really well for Moana Pasifika in 2025 and could prove to be a brilliant signing.
He heads to Hamilton after scoring nine tries last season, including a hat-trick in the Pasifika's 27-21 win over the Blues last May.
At 22, the Tonga international is only going to get better, and he can mark his debut with a try.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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