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Chiefs name 10 All Blacks in starting XV for Super Rugby Pacific final
By Ned Lester
The Chiefs will run out with 10 All Blacks in their starting XV for the Super Rugby Pacific grand final in Christchurch, with one capped Kiwi international also named on the bench.
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It will be the same starting side that beat the Brumbies by 20 in the semi-final who will greet the Crusaders, with two changes on the bench.
Aidan Ross adds experience to the reserves in what will be his final game in Chiefs colours. The two-cap All Black’s with a contract with the Reds starts next month.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has also opted for experience in the form of Etene Nanai-Seturo off the bench, who replaces Gideon Wrampling in the No. 23 jersey.
“We’ve built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch. 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,” McMillan said.
That home record reached the staggering heights of 31 playoff games unbeaten last weekend, a record only the Chiefs can break as the Crusaders move to a new stadium in 2026.
With plenty of history on the line, McMillan, who is also heading offshore after the 2025 campaign, is hoping his side can get over the hump after a dominant season and consecutive close run-ins with the Super Rugby Pacific trophy.
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“We know there’ll be a loyal crew backing us in the stands at Apollo Projects Stadium, and thousands more watching from home. Our fans bring something special, and we feel that no matter where we are.”
Chiefs team to play the Crusaders
- Ollie Norris
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Luke Jacobson
- Wallace Sititi
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Leroy Carter
- Quinn Tupaea
- Daniel Rona
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
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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Chiefs with 10 ABs but maybe 1 / 2 starters. Pretty much how the Chiefs have had for two decades. Better chances in Ireland 🙄
One thing is pretty much guaranteed, Ratima will make sure the Crusaders will have a ton of ball to play with thanks to incessant and pointless box kicks. Talk about a one trick pony!
Every team does this. Ratima has scored a bag of tries this season through all round skills.
The Crusaders will also run out 10 All Blacks in their starting lineup, with 4 more All Blacks on their bench plus a Wallaby.
Que Sera Sera. Home advantage, finals record, sound defence, forward pressure, cold wet conditions. These are all factors in the Crusaders advantage. This will still be a close contest but the aforementioned I suggest will be the difference.
What “dominant” season? They had the same record as us P14 W11 L3. Now we’re P16 W13 L3 & they’re P16 W12 L4.
And but for the Affirmative Action Lucky Loser handout format, the Chiefs would’ve been GONE. Again.
That said, what a Final squad (according to my Chiefs-loving mum in Gizzy, that is).
Perhaps it referred to the two dominant wins the Chiefs had over the Saders this season? Not really sure if its not that.
Yea probably the more definitive statement would have been dominant over the Saders this season What’s wrong with Affirmative Action ? There are so many good things that have come from it especially in the nations it is most synonymous with don’t u think?
But yea like I have said I bleed yellow but all this chitchat out there that Chiefs are favorites..ur dreaming Mate at the least it’s even Steven’s if not Saders favorites u got to give respect to that club and home ground record which is no fluke ( maybe a bit of luck a few times )