The Chiefs continued to play the spoilers' role with relish as they downed New Zealand conference leaders the Blues 16-11 in their Super Rugby match in Auckland on Saturday night.

Out of the running for a playoffs berth, and languishing at the bottom of New Zealand conference, the Chiefs held on for their sixth win of the season.

Ahead 7-6 at the break, the visitors had to fight off a Blues resurgence in the second stanza as the Aucklanders looked to reinvigorate their season.

Coming off the bye, and following losses to the Reds and Stormers, the Blues were boosted by the return of Benson Stanley from injury.

Rene Ranger was back on the wing, and Luke McAlister got the nod ahead of Stephen Brett at first five-eighths.

The Chiefs' injuries woes also eased a little, with front-rowers Ben May and Nathan White back in action, and the wily Tana Umaga at second five-eighths an invaluable addition.

But early on it was the Chiefs who made all the running, dominating possession and territory only to see the boot of McAlister give the Blues an early 6-0 lead.

McAlister proved accurate, nailing two penalties - one an impressive 55m effort - while Chiefs pivot Stephen Donald couldn't convert the eminently kickable chances he was given.

The Chiefs' scrum was solid, and their work at the breakdown speedy and effective, but a combination of solid Blues defence and poor handling kept them scoreless until a moment of Umaga magic in the 27th minute.

The veteran midfielder showed impressive speed and a nifty sidestep in making the initial break, tracking play as the Chiefs moved the ball wide and then finishing off with a well-taken try.

Donald made the conversion, and the Chiefs hit the front 7-6, maintaining that lead into the halftime break.

The Blues struggled with their set pieces in the first half, under pressure at scrum time, and messy in the lineouts.

But they started the second half on a positive note, Ranger running strongly at the line before unloading to Jared Payne to touch down in the corner after seven minutes.

The Chiefs lost Umaga early in the second spell to an ankle injury, but the visitors continued to threaten, Sitiveni Sivavatu looking especially threatening with the ball in hand.

Two Chiefs penalties gave them a narrow 13-11 lead they defended stubbornly, Donald adding a measure of safety with another penalty two minutes from the final whistle.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP