Blues End 21-Year Title Drought with Dominant Super Rugby Pacific Final Victory

The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific final was a clash between two of New Zealand's most storied franchises, as the Blues took on the Chiefs at a packed Eden Park in Auckland. In the end, it was the Blues who emerged victorious, claiming a comprehensive 41-10 win and ending their 21-year title drought.

The Blues, who finished the regular season in second place, were the favorites heading into the match, and they wasted little time asserting their dominance. Just two minutes into the game, winger AJ Lam crossed the line to give the home side an early lead. The Blues continued to pile on the pressure, with Ricky Riccitelli, Sam Darry, and Caleb Clarke all scoring tries in the first half to give the Blues a commanding 24-3 lead at the break.

The second half was more of the same, as the Blues' relentless attack and stifling defense kept the Chiefs at bay. Flanker Hoskins Sotutu added another try for the Blues in the 59th minute, and flyhalf Harry Plummer's accurate kicking ensured the scoreline continued to grow in the home side's favor.

The Chiefs, who were looking to end their own 11-year title drought, simply had no answer for the Blues' intensity and execution. Flyhalf Damian McKenzie, who had been a key figure in the Chiefs' run to the final, was largely kept quiet by the Blues' defense.

The victory was made all the sweeter for the Blues by the return of their captain, Patrick Tuipulotu, who had been expected to miss the final due to a knee injury suffered in the quarter-finals. Tuipulotu's presence and leadership proved invaluable, as the Blues put in a performance that was both physically and mentally dominant.

"Patty's a Blues man through and through, and he came to us this week pretty keen to play in a grand final," said Blues coach Vern Cotter after the match. "His recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, and his presence on the field was a huge boost for the team."

The win marked the Blues' first Super Rugby title since 2003, ending a long and frustrating drought for the franchise and its passionate supporters. It was a triumph built on the back of a superb regular season campaign, a dominant semi-final performance against the Brumbies, and a clinical display in the final itself.

"This is a moment we've been waiting for for a very long time," said Blues captain Tuipulotu. "The boys have worked so hard all season, and to be able to deliver this trophy to our fans is an incredible feeling. We're not done yet, though – this is just the start of something special for the Blues."

With the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season now in the books, the focus will shift to the upcoming international window and the All Blacks' preparations for the 2024 Rugby World Cup. But for now, the Blues and their supporters can bask in the glory of a long-awaited championship triumph, one that has been 21 years in the making.