Chiefs v Blues
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
It's do or die for the defending champs, a loss for the Blues tonight will see them spiral out of Super Rugby Pacific. However, while the Chiefs are safely through till next weekend, they are still playing to lock in a home final in a fortnight.
The Blues are coming off arguably their best performance of the season, last weekend thumping the Waratahs 46-6 at Eden Park. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have racked up 126 points in their last two games, so these are two teams in excellent attacking form.
Team lists
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Etene Nanai-Seturo
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes
Chiefs selections
Wallace Sititi is the main change for the Chiefs, with Clayton McMillan confirming that he suffered an injury last weekend against the Highlanders. However, he will remain on the bench to cover for Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson. Other than that, the only change is Cortez Ratima swapping with Xavier Roe at halfback.
Blues selections
Only one change for the Blues, with Adrian Choat starting at blindside in a straight swap with Anton Segner. Choat, Ricky Riccitelli and Harry Plummer have plenty to play for, a loss here will mean it's the last time they pull on a Blues jersey before they head overseas.
Key stats
The Chiefs have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific games against the Blues after winning only two of their previous nine meetings.
The Blues have won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games, holding their opponent to six points or fewer in two of their last three games.
Tupou Vaa'i has scored four tries across his last two Super Rugby Pacific games as well as one try in his most recent game against the Blues.
What they're saying
"You just respect the opposition that's directly in front of you; they all bring different strengths to the table. They're the reigning champions and, and they've got quality littered throughout their team. So, we're not going to get anything for free." - Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan.
"It hasn't been an easy season. But we love this time of year, this is what we are in this game for, to be able to challenge for trophies. The objective is clear, it's a knockout game, we need to win to move forward." - Blues coach Vern Cotter.
The last time they met
Chiefs 32 - 31 Blues
One of the best games of the year was almost the biggest upset as well, with only a missed conversion being the difference between the two sides after 80 wildly entertaining minutes. The Blues had been written off after their bad start to the season, but hung with the Chiefs the whole way only to lose in heartbreaking fashion.
What's going to happen
This is a big task for the Blues, even though they seem to be coming right at the right time, the Chiefs didn't end up on top of the table by accident. It's hard not to think this one will have more of a test match sort of attitude than last time given the stakes, so it will be likely that both Beauden Barret and Damian McKenzie will be lining up more shots at goal than usual. That's not to say there won't be tries though, the Blues have two All Black wingers in Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele'a while the Chiefs have Leroy Carter - a player widely tipped to be in a black jersey before too long.
