Blues coach Vern Cotter during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It's been 21 years since the Blues last won a full Super Rugby title and coach Vern Cotter believes it's time to get the monkey off the back.
The Super Rugby champions will be crowned tomorrow night at a sold out Eden Park, with the Blues seeking to beat the Chiefs and claim their first crown in more than two decades.
"It's a long time between drinks so I think it's about time. It's about knuckling down for 80 minutes of tough rugby."
The Blues are favourites having won 15 straight games at Eden Park, including a comfortable victory over the Chiefs in the final round of the regular season.
AJ Lam makes a break for the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Brumbies in Auckland. Photo: photosport
However, the Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan believes playing at home isn't always an advantage - as his side found out when they were beaten by the Crusaders in last year's title decider in Hamilton.
"Sometimes in a funny way it can be harder. There's all the comforts of home but it brings some additional pressure and we felt that last year.
"We want to create our own legacy around being a team that can win away as well as at home on the big stage."
Clayton McMillan head coach of the Chiefs during the Super Rugby Pacific rugby match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on 23 February, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport
He said the Chiefs are ready to mount a raid on the Blues' Auckland fortress.
"We have no fear about going to Eden Park.
"The last time we went up there we didn't have our strongest team out there and there were still elements of the game I was happy with. We fully understand what we're walking into, but we're not daunted by it either."
Blues prop Angus Ta'avao, who played six season with the Chiefs, said the neighbouring teams have developed a fierce rivalry.
"Battle of the Bombays. Owning State Highway One. We're an hour and 15 away, when the road works aren't playing up, we're a stones throw away so we know what the challenges are and we look forward to that rivalry."
Angus Ta’avao during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Chiefs will be without injured All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho for the final, but the Blues have welcomed back their skipper with All Black Patrick Tuipulotu making a remarkable return from injury to take his place in the side.
The 43-test lock was originally thought to be out of action for up to seven weeks with a knee complaint, but is back in just two.
Blues coach Vern Cotter says Tuipulotu is the team's talisman.
"He bleeds blue blood. That's the key to this. He's been a big part of this season. It's confirmation of how far these boys are willing to push themselves for their team and their teammates."
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu leaves the field with an injury. Blues v Fiji Drua. Quarter final of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 8 June 2024. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
One of those teammates is loose forward Akira Ioane who will make an emotional farewell to the franchise he has spent more than a decade playing for.
He says winning a title would be the perfect swansong to his Blues career, but he's at peace with his decision to depart for Japan.
"I know the boys are in a good spot moving forward, that's all I could have done is pave the way for the younger players to come in and enjoy it and want to be part of the Blues."
Akira Ioane with fans. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The final sold out just a few hours after tickets were released on Monday, with 47,000 fans expected to descend on Eden Park.
Ta'avao is hoping not too many Chiefs fans managed to snare seats.
"It will be interesting as the last time we played there were a few cowbells in the crowd. I'd say there might be a few Hamilton country people locked in there.
"I was lucky, we had a pre-sale so I managed to get my family some tickets. A final at Eden Park for the Blues against the Chiefs, what more could you ask for."
Blues fans will be asking for one more win and their first Super Rugby title since 2003.