Super Rugby Pacific final: Can Crusaders continue dominance or ...

21 Jun 2023

Sky Sports

Hear from All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, Crusaders assistant coach Dan Perrin, Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo'unga and Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan ahead of Saturday's 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and Crusaders, live on Sky Sports Arena from 8am

Last Updated: 21/06/23 4:16pm

Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo'unga have been electric this season, and will do battle as the Chiefs vs Crusaders

We look ahead to the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final, live on Sky Sports on Saturday morning, as the Crusaders go after a seventh title in a row, while the Chiefs chase a first trophy in a decade...

Crusaders seek seventh win in a row in Robertson's swansong

After an unprecedented spell of success, the Crusaders seek a stunning seventh Super Rugby title in succession at the FMG Stadium Waikato.

"Super Rugby finals [are] special occasions," All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said this week.

"I guess I've got to be diplomatic and wish both teams luck but I'm going to sit back and enjoy it, to be honest.

"We've selected our group and it's a chance for players to show their composure and how they play under a lot of pressure so we're looking at it from that perspective."

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They may have missed a number of All Blacks through injury in this most recent run to the final, but Crusaders assistant coach Dan Perrin has given an optimistic outlook on second row Sam Whitelock's availability.

"Watching that guy rehabilitate that Achilles injury over the last two or three weeks has been unbelievable," Perrin said.

"He's got his foot in an ice bucket every morning, he's in the physio's three or four times daily, so he's doing everything he can to make himself available.

"At the end of the day you trust his decision. He's an experienced campaigner so we trust the decision he makes."

Crusaders and All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock should be fit for the final

It will be the last game in charge for uber-successful Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, who will take the All Blacks' reins in 2024.

Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo'unga has been pivotal in their triumphant run of titles since 2017 and said emotion will be taken out of the equation when the 13-time champions head north.

"Rugby is pretty brutal, it doesn't favour fairy-tale endings," the All Blacks playmaker said.

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson departs his role to be the new All Blacks head coach after this season

"It was crucial that we did a job, to be cold-blooded by any means necessary and execute.

"It's what we pride ourselves on as Crusaders. Finals footy, we enjoy it, and we want to walk towards all these challenges."

Robertson, Crusaders head coach since 2017, has been at the helm for four Super Rugby titles, and two Super Rugby Aotearoa ones

Chiefs after first Super Rugby title in a decade

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan concedes the Crusaders are in "phenomenal" form but believes his side have good reason to take confidence into Saturday's final.

The all-New Zealand decider in Hamilton will pit the top-qualifying Chiefs against a Crusaders side who have bulldozed past their opponents in the knockout phase to set up a shot at a seventh successive title.

While the Chiefs have ground out tense playoff wins over two Australian opponents - the Queensland Reds and Brumbies - the second-ranked Crusaders have crushed both the Fijian Drua and Blues in Christchurch.

The Chiefs have suffered just one defeat all season, and finished top of the standings

The Crusaders barely missed their eight injured All Blacks in a 52-15 mauling of the Blues on Friday.

"They were phenomenal. They really lifted a gear and made an outstanding Blues team look pretty ordinary," McMillan said.

"Even the most feverish Chiefs supporter had to sit back and applaud that performance because it was pretty unreal - they've certainly enhanced their game over the last six to eight weeks.

"The Crusaders have been the benchmark but if somebody's going to knock them off, I want it to be us."

In the Chiefs' favour is a long history of home advantage being a major factor in Super Rugby playoff games.

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They are also at close to full strength while the Crusaders have been without a host of their best players all season, although, as mentioned above, the visitors are confident veteran All Blacks lock Whitelock will shake off a leg injury and play the final.

Seeking their first title in a decade, the Chiefs have lost just once this year.

They accounted for the Crusaders twice during the regular season - 31-10 win in round one in Christchurch and 34-24 win in Hamilton seven weeks ago - to finish 11 points clear in the standings.