Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan was quick to downplay talk of revenge for last year's loss in the final. Rather, he was 'immensely satisfied' to leave Eden Park with a win after a condensed preseason and accelerated efforts to have all players game-ready.
"Because you've got a high turnover of players in your preseason games and you're trying to get everybody up to speed, you never really get a true judge of where you're at.
"So, it's pleasing to see that we're tracking in the right direction. Both teams will have plenty to work on, but it's a start, and we look forward to the Crusaders at home next week."
While the introduction of several All Blacks from his bench helped consolidate the side's position, McMillan said that against a team like the Blues, he didn't think starting his All Blacks after a week and a half and 45 minutes of preparation would do any better than those players who had been 'slogging their guts out' for eight weeks.
"We backed them and we knew the All Blacks boys would come on and be able to inject some speed and a bit of physicality in the last 25-30 minutes, and it's exactly what happened."
Captain Luke Jacobson said it was satisfying to see the hard work in the preseason put into action on the field.
The team's game had areas for growth, which gave them confidence. It was a step in the right direction.
"There're still a lot of things to work on, which is awesome."
McMillan said the Chiefs have been forced to evolve their game. They have been in three finals in four years and know they can play a particular brand of rugby.
"But you would have seen some variation to that tonight and some awesome work around our scrum. So, we'll keep growing those things. And if they function well, then it allows us to play the game we know we can play. We have to be able to pivot, and do something different if it requires."
Blues coach Vern Cotter said that although they had a 14-6 lead at halftime, he didn't believe they enjoyed full control. They would be evaluating whether the Chiefs were much better than in last year's final or the Blues were worse.
Losing first up, as the defending champions, was something the side had not experienced because it had been 21 years since their last championship win.
"We need to ask some questions and create awareness around where we're at. That's the key to moving forward.
"Every team needs to go through these types of emotions and feelings after games – it's never going to be all one way. These players haven't experienced it."
The Chiefs locked in their game early and brought a physical edge that the Blues found hard to grab. Despite that, if a try to wing Mark Telea was allowed, that could have changed the momentum.
"What we didn't do particularly well was adapt. We didn't stay in long periods of domination, which create positive cycles of play. We're proud of doing that, but that's what the Chiefs did to us.
"Every team goes through this and it's important we come back on Monday and take responsibility, all of us. This team's better than that. We'll get better and we'll build our way into the competition."
Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said the side expected a physical contest from the Chiefs but could not lift themselves to respond.
He was disappointed they hadn't done better for prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi, who played his 150th game for the side.