HOLD FOR FRIDAY
Quinn Tupaea was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
Crusaders v Chiefs
Kickoff: 7,05pm Saturday, 18 June
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ
Quinn Tupaea was a Chiefs fan before he was a player and he'd like nothing more than to help the franchise win another Super Rugby title.
Twelve years have passed since they last lifted the trophy and they've suffered the heartbreak of defeat in the past two finals.
They take on the Crusaders in Saturday night's title decider in Christchurch, where the hosts have never lost a playoff game.
The Chiefs finished as top qualifiers for the post-season and midfielder Tupaea played a big role in their success, scoring several tries and making big defensive plays for his side.
He said winning a Super Rugby title would be a career highlight.
"That's the dream, that's the goal," Tupaea said. "Born in bred in Hamilton, I grew up a Chiefs fan, so to bring a championship to the city and to this region would mean the world to myself and this team."
He was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13, but Tupaea, 26, remembers them well.
"I was 12 and 13," he said. "I was at those finals, sat in the family zone on the left side of the stadium and have some great memories with my family.
"Looking back on it now, that's the feeling I want to bring to our fans and win a championship for our region.
"There's been a lot of heartbreak for our fans the last 4-5 years, not getting over the line. We have very passionate fans and we get great crowds every week, so to bring the title to Hamilton for our fans, that would mean a lot."
Tupaea's form in the Chiefs midfield has been impressive this season, but he's quick to credit his team for helping him produce consistent performances.
"I've been showing up to work every day, wanting to get better, and my success this year has been on the back of of a successful team as well," he said. "It's a lot easier to play behind a good pack, and good nine and 10 [halfback and first-five] combo."
"I'm enjoying my rugby and pretty happy."
Quinn Tupaea's Super Rugby Pacific form may earn him an All Blacks recall. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Tupaea's played so well, he could earn an All Blacks recall on Monday, when the squad to play France in three tests in July is named.
He hasn't featured for the All Blacks since 2022, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Wallabies.
While firmly focused on the task at hand with the Chiefs, he doesn't conceal his desire to return to the national side.
"I would obviously like to get recalled into the [All Blacks] squad," Tupaea said. "It's a goal I set myself every year.
"It's a place I want to be playing and it's the team I want to be in - it's a no-brainer. I'd like to hear my name called on Monday."
Before then, the Chiefs must overcome history and end the Crusaders 31-match unbeaten run in home playoffs to win Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final.
Tupaea said that would make victory all the sweeter.
"That's it - 31 and one, thank you very much!"
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