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Then there were four.
The business end of the Super Rugby Pacific season has arrived and the semi-finals promise fireworks in New Zealand
In Christchurch on Friday night, the Blues head south to face the Crusaders in a heavyweight Kiwi showdown that feels more like a final than a semi. It’s a rivalry steeped in history and hostility, and with the Crusaders unbeaten in home playoff games. A staggering 30-0 record, the Blues will need more than form to break Fortress Christchurch. But after last week’s heroic upset over the Chiefs, The Blues won’t be short on belief. All eyes will be on the 10–12 axis and the breakdown battle, where games like this are won or lost.
Then on Saturday, it’s the Chiefs hosting the Brumbies in Hamilton. The Chiefs minor premiers and crowd favourites, suffered a blip last week but remain lethal across the park. Don’t write off the Brumbies. The most balanced Australian side in years, they outclassed the Hurricanes with smart territory play and brutal defence. If they can slow down the Chiefs’ tempo and win the kicking duel, an upset isn’t out of the question.
Two blockbuster semis. Four teams with everything to play for. And in a season already full of surprises, don’t be shocked if one more twist awaits.
Strap in. The road to the Super Rugby final runs through Aotearoa this weekend and it’s going to be brutal.
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Bench: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan
Bench: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Chiefs (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Bench: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kalyum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Bench: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Leli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
