Form favours Chiefs, history Crusaders in SRP final
Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs are hoping it will be third time lucky when they face off against the mighty Crusaders in another all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday.
The All Blacks flyhalf has been on fire leading an explosive backline behind a rugged pack this year as the Chiefs set the pace in the competition and made the title decider for the third straight season.
The last two finals, however, ended in the bitterness of defeat -- in 2023 to the Crusaders and last year to neighbours the Blues -- to leave this generation of Chiefs without a title to add to the two won by Dave Rennie's team in 2012 and 2013.
Clayton "Donk" McMillan has been the architect of the Hamilton-based franchise's success since the end of the COVID pandemic but he will take charge for the last time on Saturday before heading off to Irish province Munster.
"We've got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation," McKenzie said this week.
"Do it for Donk. Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to to win a final."
The Chiefs should have plenty of support in the sell-out crowd at Christchurch Stadium even if the cowbells their fans have traditionally rung are banned on health and safety grounds.
But they will have to contend with the Crusaders' imposing home form in Super Rugby playoff matches over the last three decades, 31 wins and zero losses.
The Chiefs have won five of their last seven Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, including both home and away this season, and McMillan is banking on form trumping history.
"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," he said.
"We're one team that has had our fair share of success down there, but we know it's not going to be easy."
While the Chiefs are unchanged from the semi-finals, the Crusaders have been able to recall prop Tamaiti Williams to their all-Test front row for what will be a hugely important battle of the forward packs.
Both teams boast high quality backlines as well as strong defences, so McKenzie's almost unerring place-kicking from anywhere in the opposition half could end up deciding which of New Zealand's two major islands the trophy ends up on.
The Crusaders have won 12 titles, 14 if the regional Super Rugby competitions during the COVID era are counted, but missed the playoffs last year in coach Rob Penney's first season in charge.
The return of world-class fullback Will Jordan and a smattering of other top players sparked their run to the final this year and over the playoffs they have looked like the tough, unrelenting red machine of years past.
Saturday's match looks likely to be their last at the stadium they have called a temporary home for the 14 years since the 2011 earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park with the new indoor Te Kaha arena close to completion.
"We've got a group capable of winning," Penney said. "This is a one-off occasion. We're at home in front of our people. Last time we're at the stadium and it's just going to be such a magic occasion."
Crusaders:-
15–Will Jordan, 14–Sevu Reece, 13–Braydon Ennor, 12–David Havili (captain), 11–Macca Springer, 10–Rivez Reihana, 9–Noah Hotham, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Tom Christie, 6–Ethan Blackadder, 5–Antonio Shalfoon, 4–Scott Barrett, 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16–George Bell, 17–George Bower, 18–Seb Calder, 19–Jamie Hannah, 20–Cullen Grace, 21–Kyle Preston, 22–James O'Connor, 23–Dallas McLeod
CHIEFS:-
15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–Emoni Narawa, 13–Daniel Rona, 12–Quinn Tupaea, 11–Leroy Carter, 10–Damian McKenzie, 9–Cortez Ratima, 8–Wallace Sititi, 7–Luke Jacobson (captain), 6–Samipeni Finau, 5–Tupou Vaa'i, 4–Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3–George Dyer, 2–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1–Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16–Brodie McAlister, 17–Aidan Ross, 18–Reuben O'Neill, 19–Jimmy Tupou, 20–Kaylum Boshier, 21–Xavier Roe, 22–Josh Jacomb, 23–Etene Nanai-Seturo.
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