Wallace Sititi of the Chiefs is tackled by Braydon Ennor of the Crusaders. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
Crusaders v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 18 June
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ
The Crusaders and Chiefs are set for battle this Saturday, with the first shots already fired due to a ban on the most infamous sporting musical instrument in the country. The Crusaders have told Chiefs supporters to leave the Mooloo cowbells at home for Saturday night's final at Apollo Projects Stadium, citing safety concerns, but the decision has ignited a heated debate and some extra headlines for the game.
While that was probably the intention all along, the main news right now is the teams that Rob Penney and Clayton McMillan have put out.
Team lists
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 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
Unsurprisingly, there's not a lot of changes, however still a few points of interest. Tamaiti Williams will start for the Crusaders despite suffering a knee injury that ruled him out of last weekend's semi-final, which makes it the third Super Rugby Pacific final in a row that a key tight forward is playing through the pain.
Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams. © Mandatory credit: Bruce Lim / www.photosport.nz Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Last year Patrick Tuipulotu strapped up a knee injury of his own, while two years ago Samuel Whitelock played through an Achilles complaint. Both men had key roles in their sides' ultimate success, so will Williams' presence spur on the Crusaders?
Chay Fihaki has been ruled out though, after taking a heavy shot to the head last weekend in the Crusaders' win over the Blues. Macca Springer comes in to start on the wing, it's his first appearance in a month however he has scored eight tries this season.
Etene Nanai-Seturo in action for the Chiefs during the Super Rugby Pacific Final between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. Photo: Aaron Gillions / photosport
Only two changes to the Chiefs and they're both on the bench, with Aidan Ross coming in as reserve prop and Etene Nanai-Seturo to cover the back three. Simon Parker is still out injured so the Chiefs once again start Samipeni Finau at blindside, while skipper Luke Jacobson is on the openside and Wallace Sititi at number eight.
This will also be the Crusaders' last ever match at Apollo Projects Stadium, which has been their home ever since Lancaster Park was condemned after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Next season the team will move into the new One NZ Stadium, which will have a capacity of 30,000 under a roof - a welcome upgrade for local fans.
