Super Rugby

2022 Super Rugby Pacific Semi-final teams

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We are down to four teams in the running for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific title.

One of the Blues, Crusaders, Chiefs or Brumbies will be crowned as the inaugural champion of Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday, 18 June 2022.

The Blues and the Crusaders have home-field advantage over their opposition this weekend. Both New Zealand juggernauts have a superb home record, and they start the matches as favourites.

As we have seen through the years, this is not, however, a guarantee of victory.

The Crusaders (second) host the Chiefs (third) in Christchurch on Friday in the first Semi-final match.

The Saders have a perfect – and formidable – home record in the tournament’s 27-year history, winning all 25 of their knockout/playoff/finals matches in Christchurch.

The Blues (first) then host the Brumbies (fourth) at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

The highest-ranked winner will host the Super Rugby Pacific final next weekend, Saturday the 18th.

History of the remaining four:

All four remaining teams have won Super Rugby two or more times.

The Crusaders have a record 10 Super Rugby titles, including the last three (2017/18/19), before the Covid-19 pandemic reshuffled the face of southern hemisphere rugby.

Scott Robertson’s charges also claimed both Super Rugby Aotearoa titles in 2020 and 2021.

The Blues and Brumbies dominated the early years of the competition, winning five titles between themselves.

The Auckland team won the first two editions in 1996 and 1997, losing the final in 1998. Leon MacDonald’s side did, however, taste success in 2021 when they won Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

The Brumbies came good in 2001 and 2004, losing three finals along the way. Dan McKellar’s side also won Super Rugby AU in 2020.

The Chiefs have two Super Rugby titles, winning back-to-back tournaments in 2012 and 2013.

The Blues have only lost once all season, but the Crusaders are still the team to beat despite losing three matches this season.


Crusaders v Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific Preview

The Bookies have given the Chiefs a 9 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Match Officials and details
Match: Crusaders (2) v Chiefs (3)
Date: Friday, 10 June
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off local time: 19:05
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: 
Jordan Way
TMO: Chris Hart

Teams

Crusaders

George Bower, Codie Taylor, Oli Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Faninga’anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Zach Gallagher, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge

Chiefs

Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber (c), Bryn Gatland, Etene Nani-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Josh Ioane

Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Sam Cane, Xavier Roe, Rameka Pohipi, Chase Tiatia


Blues v Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific Preview

The Bookies have given the Brumbies a 13 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Match Officials and details
Match: Blues (1) v Brumbies (4)
Date: Saturday, 11 June
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off local time: 19:05
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermott

Teams

Blues

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett (c), Mark Telea, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, James Tucker, Sam Nock, Tamati Tua, Zarn Sullivan

Brumbies

James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Caderyn Neville, Tom Hooper, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright, Tom Banks

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Hudson Creighton

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