Chiefs confirm Super Rugby final lineup

Pita Gus Sowakula.
Photo: © Copyright Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2020

The Chiefs have made just one change to their side for Saturday’s Super Rugby final with former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula coming into the starting line-up.

Sowakula is at blindside with Samipeni Finau, who was earlier this week named in the All Blacks squad for the first time, shifting to the reserves.

Samipeni Finau.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Luke Jacobson will start in the No.8 jersey.

Co-captain and openside Sam Cane will play his 150th game for the franchise, becoming the second player to achieve the feat after Liam Messam.

Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer start in the front row, with All Blacks Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i the locks.

Co-captain Brad Weber will start at halfback in his final game for the franchise having announced in May that he he will join Fench club Stade Francais.

Damian McKenzie will start at first-five, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Alex Nankivell in the midfield.

Etene Nanai-Seturo, new All Black Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson make up the back three

Stevenson, who has had an outstanding season at fullback, boasts the most direct involvement in tries for the competition (18), with 11 tries and 7 try assists.

The reserves are Ollie Norris and John Ryan at prop, Tyrone Thompson at hooker and Naitoa Ah Kuoi at lock with Josh Ioane covering first-five and Rameka Poihipi the midfield.

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan believes they have the team that can topple the defending champion Crusaders.

“We are fortunate to have named a relatively unchanged line-up from last week for this week’s final. Being put under pressure over the last few weeks has given us real belief we can deal with whatever comes our way on the weekend.

“The Crusaders are clearly a quality side who will come here well prepared, with a lot of belief, and a legacy of turning up on the big stage. We respect that – there’s no point denying it, but we aren’t daunted by the task at hand either.”

“There has been an obvious spike in excitement through the week, and the team are especially pumped to play in front of our loyal supporters in a packed stadium.

“We need to do the business on the field, but it’s an advantage to be playing at home, so get your colours on, get vocal and bring the boys home,” said McMillan.

-RNZ