Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named an unchanged starting line-up for their eagerly anticipated clash with the Crusaders in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch.
The Hamilton-based outfit booked their place in their third successive final courtesy of a 37-17 victory over the Brumbies at home last weekend and McMillan has kept the faith with the same players from that encounter.
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In the forwards, George Dyer and Ollie Norris will pack down as the starting props while Samisoni Taukei’aho continues at hooker with fellow All Blacks star Tupou Vaa’i slotting into to the second-row alongside Naitoa Ah Kuoi.
Current All Blacks Player of the Year and World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Wallace Sititi retains his spot at number eight and is joined in the back-row by captain Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau who are the starting flankers.
In the back line, star playmaker Damian McKenzie will continue to call the shots on attack alongside Cortez Ratima as part of an exciting half-back partnership.
The rest of the starting line-up sees Quinn Tupaea and Daniel Rona lining up as the preferred centre combination while Shaun Stevenson lines up at full-back with Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter continuing as the starting wingers.
Stevenson’s selection is a boost for the men from Hamilton as he was cleared to play following a head knock in their semi-final triumph against the Brumbies.
That means the one-Test All Black will play in his last match for the Chiefs before he takes up a contract in Japan later this year.
There are two alterations amongst the replacements with Aidan Ross and Etene Nanai-Seturo coming into the matchday squad at the expense of Jared Proffit and Gideon Wrampling as front-row and backline cover respectively.
McMillan said his selection reflects the strength and stability that has carried the side throughout the 2025 season.
“We’ve built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch,” he told the Chiefs’ official website. “The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy.
“They’re clinical, composed, and proud of their home record. We’re ready for a good final fight.”
