Super Rugby Pacific team lists: Crusaders and Chiefs name final squads

• The Crusaders and Chiefs meet in Christchurch on Saturday night to decide the Super Rugby Pacific final.
• While the Chiefs finished the season as top seed, they lost hosting rights because of being beaten by the Blues in the first week of the playoffs.
• The Chiefs stayed alive as the lucky loser from the qualifiers and have won both of their games against the Crusaders this season.

Crusaders team to face the Chiefs

All Black Tamaiti Williams will return to his usual role as loosehead prop after missing out on last week’s semifinal because of a knee injury.

They will, however, be without winger Chay Fihaki, who has been ruled out after failing a head injury assessment. Macca Springer has been named to start on the left wing, with Sevu Reece shifting to the right.

With Williams’ return, George Bower moves back to the bench.

They’re the only changes to the side that beat the Blues last week to book a place in the final.

While the Crusaders are yet to lose a playoff game at home in 31 fixtures, head coach Rob Penney said the team was focused on what awaited them on Saturday night.

“History is history, it is what it is and we’re not even thinking about that, we’re just thinking about the contest ahead of us, which is really exciting.

“We’re at home in front of our people and it’s going to be such a magic occasion.”

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.

Unavailable: Chay Fihaki (concussion), Taha Kemara (knee, season), Dom Gardner (foot, season), Finlay Brewis (shoulder, season).

Chiefs team to face the Crusaders

The Chiefs will run out with the same starting XV who beat the Brumbies last weekend, but have made two changes on the bench for the final.

Aidan Ross, who will join the Queensland Reds next season, has been named as cover at loosehead prop, while Etene Nanai-Seturo joins the reserves as backline cover.

“We’ve built real continuity across the season and that will serve us well in Christchurch,” Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said.

“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.”

It’s the Chiefs’ third Super Rugby Pacific final in a row, and will be the last under McMillan’s watch as he departs to join Irish club Munster.

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 (c) 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.

Unavailable: Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone), Simon Parker (ankle), Liam Coombes-Fabling (hamstring), Rameka Poihipi (knee, season), Malachi Wrampling (hamstring), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (shoulder), Sione Ahio (ankle).

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