The SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific finals are here as the six teams battle out for the title.
The Queensland Reds are out to become the first Australian side to win a finals game in NZ as they face the Crusaders on Friday.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Chiefs and Blues met in a Grand Final rematch from last year, whilst the ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes are set to deliver another classic in Canberra.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod
- Will Jordan is a massive boost for the Crusaders, named at fullback.
- David Havili returns to the side and takes over the captaincy, slotting into the centres.
- Fletcher Newell joins Havili in the starting side at tighthead prop, pushing Tamati Williams back to loosehead.
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan
- Harry Wilson has been cleared of injury and will line up at number eight for the Reds.
- Filipo Daugunu swaps with Tim Ryan and takes his place on the wing.
- Dre Pakeho comes onto the bench after Harry McLaughlin-Phillips’ failed HIA, with fullback Jock Campbell set to act as flyhalf cover.
- The Reds have won just two from 16 attempts against the Crusaders away, including two finals defeats in 2013 and 22.
- The Crusaders are on a 16-game winning streak in finals, the longest post-season winning run of any team and they haven’t lost a finals game since 2016.
- The Crusaders (3.5) and Reds (3.3) have scored more points per attacking 22m entry than any other teams this season and conceded the fewest points per opponent entry into their 22m zone than any other team (Crusaders 2.4, Reds 2.5)
Will Jordan v Jock Campbell
Jordan’s inclusion on the team sheet is huge news for a Crusaders attack that was already firing on full cylinders heading into the finals.
The fullback is one of the most damaging players in the competition and is a must to shut down for Campbell and co.
Whilst the former Wallaby doesn’t have the rap of Jordan, his importance for the Reds’ backline as just as high, especially if he is pushed into a playmaker role with no specialist flyhalf on the bench.
Crusaders by 12
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer are confirmed in a new-look front-row.
- Quinn Tuapea is out (head/eye), with Gideon Wrampling named at inside centre.
- Emoni Narawa comes onto the wing, with Etene Nanai-Seturo
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
- The Blues’ 41-10 win over the Chiefs in last year’s Final is the largest win by either side in their last ten match-ups.
- The Chiefs have won nine of their last 11 against the Blues at home and 22 of their last 24 games overall.
- The Chiefs have scored 39.3 points per game this year, the most of any team and more than five points per game than their previous record.
Luke Jacobson v Dalton Papali’i
The battle of the back-row will be massive in deciding this game, with the two open-side flankers at the forefront.
Jacobson and Papali’i have been duelling for years as both sides have faced off in big games over the past 18 months.
Whichever can get dominance at breakdown time will go a long way towards dictating how the game turns out.
Chiefs by 3
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
- Allan Alaalatoa is the lone change from last week, returning from a calf injury.
- It sees Feao Fotuaika shift back to the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
- Caleb Delany is the lone change to the starting side, replacing Hugo Plummer at lock.
- Plummer, Tevita Mafileo, Ngatungane Punivai and Callum Harkin all come onto the bench.
- Jacob Devery is a late inclusion after Asafo Aumua picked up a hamstring injury.
- The Hurricanes are aiming for back-to-back wins over the Brumbies for the first time since the 2017 qualifying finals, the only away win the side has in finals in their last 12 attempts.
- The Brumbies have alternated wins across their last eight finals games, coming off a loss, while the Hurricanes have only won one of their last five games.
- The Hurricanes are undefeated in their last six games in Super Rugby Pacific, despite trailing in half of those games.
Rory Scott v Du’Plessis Kirifi
The Crusaders’ pressure over the breakdown was pivotal in last week’s win and provides the blue print for Kirifi and co for victory.
It’s up to Scott and the forward pack to keep clean ball constantly for their backs and prevent the ruck from breaking down.
Brumbies by 5
