Chiefs vs. Crusaders: Key Match Preview

Kickoff: 7:05 pm Friday, February 21

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport.

Both the Chiefs and the Crusaders are coming off fantastic victories in the thrilling first weekend of Super Rugby Pacific, so this match in Hamilton will be an actual test of whether the team will continue to win.

Clayton McMillan, the Chiefs coach, and Rob Penney, the Crusaders coach, have chosen extreme sides for the encounter, although there are a few talking points peppered throughout. The Chiefs are looking for a large attendance at a facility that has a history of attracting large Friday night-audiences.

Team lists

Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, and George Dyer. 4. Joshua Lord, 5. Tupo Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Xavier Roe. 10. Joshua Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter; 12. Rameka Poihipi. 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Emoni Narawa, and 15. Damian McKenzie

Bench: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O'Neill, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Samipeni Finau. 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea; 23. Gideon Wrampling

Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Ioane Moananu, 3. Fletcher Newell, and 4. Scott Barrett 5. Antonio Shalfoun, 6.Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie; 9. Kyle Preston. 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c). 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki; 15. Will Jordan.

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu; 17. George Bower; 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Tahlor Cahill 20. Corey Kellow 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, and 23. Dallas McLeod

Chiefs selections

You can't argue with McMillan's strategy of recognizing individuals who stood out in preseason, mainly because the win vs the Blues was built on a strong defensive ethic from the beginning. This trend has been maintained this week, with Simon Parker keeping his berth in the loose forwards and Xavier Roe beginning at halfback. Tupou Vaa'i, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Emoni Narawa return to the starting lineup, while Josh Jacomb and Damian McKenzie remain at first five and fullback.

Crusaders selections

There was only one injury-forced change, and it was a simple decision for Penney to promote Kyle Preston to the starting lineup following the halfback's hat trick on debut last weekend. Taha Kemara starts again after a solid performance in the win over the Hurricanes, with James O'Connor's outstanding shift late in the game providing Penney with a very secure option.

Key stats

The Chiefs and Crusaders each broke 41 tackles in the first round of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, more than any other club in the tournament. Damian McKenzie (11) and Sevu Reece (10) were the only players who made at least ten tackle breaks.

During the regular season, the Chiefs have won only one of their last five Super Rugby Pacific games against New Zealand opposition. Still, the Crusaders have won three of their previous four, including the last two in a row.

Sevu Reece has nine tries in his past eight Super Rugby Pacific outings, including six in his last six away games against the Chiefs in the league.

Expert Opinions and Reactions

"We need to evolve our game and play in different approaches... (But) I believe that teams are creatures of habit. We have our DNA, and the Crusaders are the same; there are parallels in the way they have always played." - Clay McMillan.

"Our forward pack's got a massive job ahead of it this week around the lineout, matching their physicality." – David Havili

Their Previous Encounter

Last year, everyone assumed the Crusaders had finally broken out of their slump, with a dominant win over the Chiefs in round five presumably marking the defending champions' return to form. Johnny McNicholl was the home team's surprising hero, scoring two tries, including an outstanding George Bell score that may have earned him an All-Black call-up. Of course, it was not to be, as they stumbled their way to an embarrassing ninth-place finish, whilst the Chiefs learned their lesson and advanced all the way to the final.

What to Expect

It will be intriguing to see how much McMillan deviates from his smash-and-grab tactics, which worked so brilliantly last weekend, and how the Crusaders deal with McKenzie's enormous threat. Both packs are very evenly matched; thus, whoever makes the most of their speed merchants out wide should be able to gain an advantage. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are under more pressure, with expectations skyrocketing following two consecutive losses in the finals. However, the Crusaders still have some leeway in what is essentially a rebuilding year.