SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific is down to the semi-finals with a pair of blockbuster match-ups.
It starts on Friday with the Crusaders facing the defending champions, the Blues, in Christchurch, renewing their famous rivalry in the finals.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
On Saturday, the ACT Brumbies are the lone Australian side left and seek to become the first team to win a finals game in NZ.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, 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, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod
- George Bower starts after a knee injury to Tamaiti Williams.
- Seb Calder comes onto the bench, with Kershawl Sykes-Martin shifting to replacement loosehead prop.
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, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
- Zarn Sullivan is the lone change from last week, replacing Corey Evans at fullback.
- The Crusaders have won 21 of their last 23 games against the Blues.
- The Crusaders have won all 30 of the finals games when playing as the home team.
- The Blues have won two of their last three games away from home, looking to record back-to-back away wins for the first time since Round 11, 2024.
Patrick Tuipulotu v Scott Barrett
Two All Blacks going head-to-head in the engine room as both key leaders hold the key for their respective sides.
Tuipulotu was excellent last week and knows the danger of letting Barrett and co dominate the set-piece game.
When Barrett is playing well, generally the Crusaders follow and the All Blacks skipper will be tasked again with setting the tempo up front for their explosive backline.
Crusaders by 7
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kalyum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
- Quinn Tupaea has been cleared from injury and will start in the midfield.
- Wallace Sititi starts at number eight after coming off the bench last week.
- Ollie Norris has been preferred at loosehead prop, with Jared Proffit added to the bench.
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, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
- There are no changes from the team that defeated the Hurricanes last week in Canberra
- The Chiefs have won their last four against the Brumbies, scoring more than 45 points in each of their last two wins.
- All four of the past finals matches between the two sides have been won by the home team.
- No team in Super Rugby history have ever won a combined Super Rugby competition after losing a finals game earlier in the series.
Rob Valetini v Wallace Sititi
For the Brumbies to pull off the upset, Rob Valetini has to be the man to lead the collision battle.
Valetini has shown he can turn games by himself and the Brumbies ride off his powerful carries.
However, Sititi has the capability to match Valetini, leaving an interesting battle of the number eights.
Chiefs by 3
