Chiefs v Crusaders
7pm Saturday, June 24
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
The crescendo of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season is upon us and the teams left standing to duel for the trophy are undoubtedly the competition's two best.
The Chiefs have been an irresistible force this year, with a solitary loss to the Reds at New Plymouth the only blemish on their otherwise flawless record.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have displayed every inch of their championship pedigree to overcome a staggering injury toll and book their place in yet another final - with a chance to seal a seventh title in as many years.
While motivation is never in short supply when it comes to a final, both teams have plenty of added incentive to lift the trophy this weekend, as they try to farewell some of their best in ideal fashion.
For the Crusaders, that includes the likes of talismanic captain Sam Whitelock - who's fought back from injury to take his place in the starting XV for the first time these playoffs - Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku and, of course, coach Scott Robertson, who'll take the All Blacks reins after the World Cup.
Japan-bound veteran lock Brodie Retallick will play his final match for the Chiefs, as will co-captain Brad Weber, midfielder Alex Nankivell and forward Pita Gus Sowakula.
Can the Chiefs capture their first title since 2013 in front of a sellout crowd at home or will the Crusaders machine roll through to defend yet another championship?
Head-to-head results this season:
Chiefs 31 Crusaders 10 - February 24, Christchurch
The Chiefs made the ultimate statement of intent in their season-opener, putting the defending champion Crusaders to the sword with a second-half blitz.
After trailing 10-7 at the interval, the Chiefs ran in 24 unanswered points to silence the crowd at Orangetheory Stadium and immediately announce themselves as title contenders.
Chiefs 34 Crusaders 24 - April 29, Hamilton
Their second meeting was a much different affair, with the Chiefs withstanding an early Crusaders onslaught, before rallying to score two late tries and claim victory.
The hosts had to make 180 tackles more than their vaunted opponents, but still had enough to rise late, with Damian McKenzie sealing a spectacular individual performance and the match with a late penalty.
Team line-ups
Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Samisoni-Taukei'aho, 3-George Dyer, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Pita Gus Sowakula, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Brad Weber, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 13-Alex Nankivell, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 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
Crusaders: 1-Tamaiti Williams, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Sioni Talitui, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Christian Lio-Willie, 9-Mitch Drummond, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Jack Goodhue, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Dallas McLeod, 15-Will Jordan
Reserves: 16-George Bell, 17-Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18-Reuben O'Neill, 19-Quinten Strange, 20-Dominic Gardner, 21-Willi Heinz, 22-Fergus Burke, 23-Chay Finaki
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner, Nic Berry
TV Match Official: Brendon Pickerill
Weather forecast: According to MetService, Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with the possibility of showers come kick-off. The temperature is expected to be 14 degrees, with a low of 11.
TAB betting odds: Chiefs $1.92, Crusaders $1.92
Read more:
- Robertson relishes opportunity to add to Super Rugby trophy haul
- Whitelock poised for fitting farewell in Super Rugby Pacific final
- Chiefs out to create their own Super Rugby legacy against Crusaders
- Whitelock's return lifts Crusaders for finale against Chiefs
- Crusaders out to farewell club icons in final
Join Newshub at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Chiefs v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific final
