Chiefs keep changes to a minimum for Super Rugby Pacific final with the Crusaders
The Chiefs have made one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders in Hamilton, with Pita Gus Sowakula coming in to replace Samipeni Finau.
Sowakula will start on the blindside flank and joins co-captain Sam Cane (openside flank) and Luke Jacobson (number eight) in an exciting back-row.
Finau, who was recently named in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad, drops down to the replacements bench.
Sam Cane hits 150 for the Chiefs
The match will be a momentous occasion for Cane, who will make his 150th appearance for the Chiefs. The All Blacks skipper is only the second player to notch that achievement in the Hamilton-based outfit’s history behind Liam Messam.
The rest of the Chiefs forward pack has a familiar look to it with Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i continuing as the lock pairing while All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho packs down alongside the starting props Aidan Ross and George Dyer.
Support off the bench for the forwards will come in the form of Ollie Norris and John Ryan for the props, Tyrone Thompson at hooker and Naitoa Ah Kuoi for the locks.
In the backline, co-captain Brad Weber will start at scrum-half in his final game for the Chiefs, while fellow All Black Damian McKenzie slots in alongside him as the starting fly-half.
Meanwhile, the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown starts at inside centre and he forms a strong midfield partnership with Alex Nankivell, while Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa are the starting wings. Shaun Stevenson continues at full-back to round off a dynamic backline.
The backline cover will be provided by Cortez Ratima at scrum-half, Josh Ioane at fly-half and Rameka Poihipi in the midfield.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Crusaders, who are Super Rugby Pacific‘s defending champions.
“We are fortunate to have named a relatively unchanged line-up from last week for this week’s final,” he said. “Being put under pressure over the last few weeks has given us real belief we can deal with whatever comes our way on the weekend.
“The Crusaders are clearly a quality side who will come here well prepared, with a lot of belief, and a legacy of turning up on the big stage. We respect that – there’s no point denying it, but we aren’t daunted by the task at hand either.”
Happy to be in action in Hamilton
McMillan is happy to be in action on their home turf and knows his team can count on the loyal support of their fans.
“There has been an obvious spike in excitement through the week, and the team are especially pumped to play in front of our loyal supporters in a packed FMG Stadium Waikato,” he added.
“We need to do the business on the field, but it’s an advantage to be playing at home, so get your colours on, get vocal and bring the boys home.”
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 John Ryan, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Rameka Poihipi
Date: Saturday, June 24
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
READ MORE: Crusaders boosted as veteran All Black returns to start in Super Rugby Pacific final