Photo: RNZ
Crusaders v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday, 21 June
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ
The Super Rugby final is here and the Crusaders and Chiefs are seeking to carve out their own slice of history on Saturday night in Christchurch.
The Crusaders' unbeaten home playoff record will be on the line as they host a record eighth final and vie for a record 13th title, while the Chiefs, beaten in the last two finals, are chasing their first title since 2013.
Scott Barrett scores a try during the Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
The Crusaders have never lost a playoff at home, winning 31 consecutive finals matches, including last week's come-from-behind victory over the defending champion Blues.
However, the Chiefs insist they won't be overawed by the prospect of facing the Canterbury-based side in their Christchurch stronghold.
The Chiefs have won recently in Ōtautahi, beating the Crusaders 35-19 in their regular season clash last month.
Coach Clayton McMillan said they were not scared.
"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," McMillan said.
"We're one team that has had our fair share of success down there, but we know it's not going to be easy."
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Chiefs have been beaten finalists the last two seasons, including a loss to the Crusaders in Hamilton in 2023.
First-five Damian McKenzie is hoping it will be third time lucky in this weekend's title decider, which will be the last game as Chiefs coach for McMillan, nicknamed 'Donk', before he heads to Ireland to take charge of Munster.
"Do it for Donk (McMillan). Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families," McKenzie said.
"The support we've had throughout the year has been amazing. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to to win a final. So, it's not only just doing it for guys who are leaving, it's also for guys who have been here in the past.
"We've got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation."
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
McKenzie believes McMillan will leave a lasting legacy after five years in charge.
"We're going to miss his presence around the place," McKenzie said.
"He's held in high regard and well respected. The job he's done since he's came into the Chiefs (has been great) and he's really built our culture.
"You know he's the boss. When he talks, you listen. He's a guy you would definitely follow into battle.
"He's going be sorely missed, so hopefully we can send him off in a good way."
It will be the Crusaders' last big game at Christchurch's "temporary" stadium in Addington, which they've been at for 14 seasons following the 2011 earthquake, with the team set to move to the new roofed Te Kaha Stadium in April next year.
Crusaders fullback Will Jordan celebrates a try. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
'A bit of a fortress'
Covered in scaffolding and seating just 17,000 people the Addington ground isn't the most glamorous, but vice-captain Will Jordan said the Crusaders have grown quite fond of it.
He said they're determined to send the stadium off by winning the franchise a record 13th Super Rugby title.
"Protecting our home patch has been a huge thing for us throughout the whole year," Jordan said.
"It's the last year for this stadium which has given us a lot of joy. I've personally been coming here for 15 years and she's not perfect, but it's home for us and it's been a bit of a fortress for us.
"We get one more week to try and protect that again."
The Chiefs have had the wood over the Crusaders so far this season, winning both games between the sides.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney isn't concerned by those results and he's confident the hosts can get the job done on Saturday night.
"Got full faith in our group. We've got a group capable of winning," Penney said.
"As I said before, the past is the past. This is a one-off occasion. We're at home in front of our people. Last time we're at Orangetheory (Apollo Projects Stadium) and that's just going to be such an a magic occasion."
The match is set to be a sellout with a final release of tickets going out Thursday morning and while there should be plenty of Chiefs supporters in attendance, there won't be any cowbells.
Fans have been banned from bringing the noise makers, used by Waikato rugby supporters for more than 70 years, into the ground.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said the Addington stadium was too cramped and it would present a health and safety issue.
"There's also the fact that it's tight. It's not FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) Stadium or Eden Park, New Zealand. It's tight. It's compact and there's just enough room to wave a really thin flag. There ain't no room to swing a bloody big cowbell and take out the person sitting in the seat beside you."
