Chiefs vs Blues . . .

Big blow for the Blues just before half-time as Steven Luatua gets a deserved red card and Hika Elliott scores a try from the resulting penalty.

Half-time score: Chiefs 22-9 Blues.

 I hope Hika dont outscore my starting player again  else its egg face again for moi !

Same here.

Just note that with the rolling lockout, you can actually force Hika to be your starting hooker, assuming your current starting hooker hasn't played yet.

For example I have Dane Coles as my starting hooker and Hika Elliott on my bench. If Hika had to score another try or two, I would be very tempted to transfer Coles out of my team and replace him with someone who is definitely not playing this weekend. Bit of a waste of transfers but if you have them spare then that's a loophole you can exploit.

This is going to be a very one-sided scoreline now. Already up to 36-9 and climbing!

 Blues came back strong in the end. Tuipolutu and Kaino big impact. Just that points spree by the Chiefs too much of a buffer. After Luatuas brain explosion. Still would of gone Chiefs. But would of been a lot closer. And with a he blues Xfactor would of been tight. Anyway Canes Chiefs next Friday should be a good one.

 Congrats to the Mighty Chiefs, sorry the Blues had to play one man down. Will watch the game now. Wardad, I have the same problem in FF as so far my bench players have racked up so good points. Starters, we will see how they do. 
Rooi, I had a shot at your trick but is seems to me I will get bitten on the butt for trickery so decided to resist this time around at least.

Don't think anyone has scored big enough points this week to warrant "Rooinek's sneaky rolling lock substitution trick".

It actually costs 2 transfers . . . one to drop your starter and replace him with a definite non-starter and then another transfer next week to dump the definite non-starter.

I reckon someone on your bench would have to score over 60 points to make it worth 2 transfers . . . but it's nice to know the option is there.

 Chiefs scored a beautiful try around the 22 min mark starting with a great pass from Dom Bird - a big lock with a no look pass that set the backs free

 A definite brain fart by Luatuau, it cost the Blues dearly.

Lowe is playing well again for the Chiefs.

 Chiefs rampart at the 41 min mark, great try to the Chiefs.

 Haha yeah Rooie I was contemplating same if he got around the 50 mark ....thought it a tad wasteful and maybe unsporting ? Nahh alls fair eh ?

 Blues showed some real spine once the settled down in the second half. They should do ok this season but they are playing some tough competition in the NZ teams & have on of the toughest schedules. Will be a joy to watch though, some real skills in the forwards (ball handling) and some great backs.

 Commentators with heavy Blues' bias seized on Luatua's red as the reason the Blues lost but truthfully they were being monstered by the Chiefs and lucky not to be further behind when the red card came.Yes, Blues had ABs to come on,  but that corresponded with Rennie emptying the bench way too early and the Chiefs losing their structure in the final 30 mins.Ioane was contained in the midfield and I can hardly remember any serious breaks by the Blues' backline in the whole game!

 Without the NZ derbies I'd surely give this tournament the flick.