Blues coach says Tuipulotu bleeds blue

For the first time in eight years, the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific final is being played, and the Crusaders are nowhere to be seen.

But as the red and blacks continue to come to terms with their hellish season, their shadow still hangs over tonight’s Super Rugby Pacific decider at a sold-out Eden Park in Auckland.

The last of the Blues’ three Super Rugby titles was won in 2003 – 21 years ago – while the second of the Chief’s two was won in 2013, a year after their first.

Both teams facing each other this weekend have also lost their home finals to the Crusaders in recent times when it looked like they were in the box to end their spells.

Now, after four play-off losses to the Crusaders in the last two seasons, they have the big stage to themselves.

Blues coach Vern Cotter says Patrick Tuipulotu “bleeds blue blood” after recovering from a knee injury in time for the Super Rugby Pacific final.

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu says the team is aware of the history of the Blues and that they know that era had a lot of success and a lot of motivation comes from that.

Tuipulotu says there were some old guys from that team here at the captain’s run this morning and it was good to see them and it gave more energy too.

When these two teams last met three weeks ago, the Chiefs scored a late try in a 31-17 defeat, denying the Blues a bonus point and sending the Hurricanes to the top of the table at the end of the regular season .

One team will taste glory, while one team’s wait will continue.

The Blues host the Chiefs tonight at 7:05 PM.

Source: Stuff.co