For the first time in Super Rugby Pacific’s five-year history, the final four is an all-New Zealand affair. The Chiefs host the defending champion Crusaders in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final on Friday night in Hamilton, before the top-ranked Hurricanes welcome the Blues to Wellington on Saturday with a home decider on the line.

Both semi-finals pit form against pedigree, familiarity against unpredictability, and feature contrasting selection narratives. The Chiefs and Hurricanes have enjoyed largely settled campaigns and earned home advantage, but the Crusaders and Blues arrive through different doors – the former riding a four-match winning streak, the latter surviving as the qualifying final’s lucky losers after a 52–31 defeat to those same Crusaders in Christchurch.

Friday night’s clash in Hamilton has the added intrigue of Damian McKenzie’s 150th Super Rugby match for the Chiefs, while Saturday’s encounter sees Fehi Fineanganofo return from injury with the all-time Super Rugby single-season try record in his sights.

Friday 12 June

Chiefs [2] v Crusaders [3]

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton – 7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST

The rivalry that has defined this era of Super Rugby Pacific resumes with Grand Final berths on the line. The Chiefs have reached three of the last four Grand Finals but lost all three — twice to the Crusaders and once to the Blues, including last year’s decider in Christchurch. They are desperate to end a title drought stretching back to 2013, and the emotion of McKenzie’s milestone match in front of a packed FMG Stadium Waikato will add another layer to an already charged occasion.

Head coach Jono Gibbes has been forced into changes, however, with All Blacks number eight Wallace Sititi ruled out after a sickening head knock against the Reds last weekend. Kyle Brown has also been concussed, leaving Samipeni Finau to start at blindside flanker with Simon Parker shifting to number eight and Lalakai Foketi coming into the centres alongside Quinn Tupaea. Liam Coombes-Fabling returns on the right wing, while Leroy Carter has again been tentatively named on the bench after failing a fitness test last week with a hamstring issue.

McKenzie said reaching the milestone in a semi-final against the Crusaders at home would be hard to top. “We have been working really hard throughout the year to put ourselves into playoff contention and to play my 150th against the Crusaders in the semifinal is special,” McKenzie said. “In playoff rugby there are small margins and small moments you have to nail. We know if we stay with what is true to us, it will put us in a good position.”

All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i stressed that composure would be the decisive factor. “There’ll be a lot of emotions going in and out of our heads, but I think the longer we can stay composed and poised, we can come out with the win,” Vaa’i said. “There’s a cliche that defence wins games, and it’s going to come down to our defence.”

The Crusaders, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of All Blacks tighthead Fletcher Newell from the MCL injury he sustained against the Hurricanes a fortnight ago. Newell missed only last weekend’s qualifying final demolition of the Blues, and his comeback bolsters a set piece that head coach Rob Penney expects to be pivotal. Braydon Ennor replaces Dallas McLeod (groin) at outside centre alongside captain David Havili, while fullback Johnny McNicholl has been cleared to play after finishing the Blues match with a heavily strapped hand – a match in which he scored a hat-trick.

“Set piece always is crucial, and countering each other will be a big part of it,” Penney said. “Fletcher has got the ability to do special things out of the blue and he’s a very explosive man. He has played phenomenally for us and we’re blessed to have him back this week.”

Newell was eager for the contest. “We love going up against the Chiefs. They have got a good scrum, lineout and a lot of big leaders. These are the games you want to be part of,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of trust in our scrum. It has developed nicely over the last few weeks and we know these are the games we need to step up with our set piece.”

History offers comfort to the visitors – the Crusaders beat the Chiefs 43–33 in Hamilton earlier this season, have won their last seven semi-finals on the bounce, and their last five finals matches against the Chiefs. But the home side have won nine of their last 10 matches and their last three semi-finals. Josh Lord, the 12-test All Blacks lock who has remarkably missed all four of the Chiefs’ finals in the last five seasons through injury, is available and has enjoyed his best run of games this campaign with 13 appearances alongside Vaa’i in the competition’s best lineout.

Something has to give.

Chiefs (1–15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Isaac Hutchinson

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter

Crusaders (1–15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, George Bower, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer

Referee: Angus Gardner. Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan. TMO: Graham Cooper.

Unavailable – Chiefs: Wallace Sititi (concussion – TBC), Kyle Brown (concussion), Tyrone Thompson (concussion), Daniel Rona (hand – season), Emoni Narawa (foot – season), Etene Nanai-Seturo (foot – season), Jayden Sa (shoulder – season)

Unavailable – Crusaders: Scott Barrett (back – season), Will Jordan (calf – season), Tamaiti Williams (discitis – season), Mitch Drummond (shoulder – season), Xavier Saifoloi (shoulder – season), Will Tucker (shoulder – season), Toby Bell (shoulder – season), James White (shoulder – season), George Bell (calf – 1–3 weeks), Dallas McLeod (groin – 1–3 weeks), Cullen Grace (knee – 1 week), Seb Calder (calf – 1–3 weeks), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (neck – 1–3 weeks), Aki Tuivailala (concussion – GRTP)

Saturday 13 June

Hurricanes [1] v Blues [4]

Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST

The Hurricanes and Blues have never met in the Super Rugby play-offs, but the form book suggests this is a mismatch on paper. The competition’s most consistent team, who thrashed the Brumbies in their qualifying final and have beaten the Blues twice this season by 23-point margins, welcome a side that has lost four consecutive matches and only survived to the semi-finals through the lucky loser format.

The home side’s already formidable attack receives a major boost with the return of Fehi Fineanganofo on the left wing. The try-scoring sensation feared his season was over when he suffered a hamstring injury in May, but has been cleared to play and will have the chance to break the all-time Super Rugby single-season try record outright. Fineanganofo is currently tied on 16 with Joe Roff and Ben Lam. It is the sole change to head coach Clark Laidlaw’s starting side, with Kini Naholo reverting to the bench and hat-trick hero Ngane Punivai the unlucky man to miss the 23 entirely.

“It’s a bonus being able to pick a really consistent team where a couple of guys who have been injured are coming back in,” Laidlaw said. “We’re expecting a very tough semi-final. At this time of the year, the four best teams are left, so the team has prepared with the intensity that this game deserves.”

Two significant milestones mark the occasion. Brad Shields will overtake Dane Coles as the third most-capped player in Hurricanes history when he runs out for his 142nd match, while Peter Lakai brings up his 50th Hurricanes cap at just 23 years of age. Co-captains Du’Plessis Kirifi and Jordie Barrett lead an otherwise unchanged side, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continuing their halves partnership and Siale Lauaki returning from injury on the bench.

Halfback Roigard warned against writing the Blues off. “I don’t think the past few weeks will be a reflection of how they’re going to play. They’re going to be physical,” Roigard said. “They’ve still made a semifinal which comes down to the performances they put in at the start of the season to create a buffer for them. So, they’ll be throwing everything at it.”

The Blues certainly need something dramatic. Head coach Vern Cotter has been forced into four personnel changes and two positional switches, with Beauden Barrett recalled at fullback after shaking off a quad injury that kept him out for three weeks. The 35-year-old will line up in the number 15 jersey for the first time in over 12 months, returning to the ground he called home during eight years with the Hurricanes. Stephen Perofeta retains the fly-half jersey.

Hoskins Sotutu starts at number eight for the suspended Malachi Wrampling, who received a three-week ban for his red card for a high tackle on Leicester Fainga’anuku in last weekend’s qualifying final defeat. Finlay Christie replaces Sam Nock (broken hand) at halfback, while the backline has been reshuffled with Xavi Taele shifting to second five-eighth, AJ Lam moving to centre and Cole Forbes starting on the right wing.

Cotter struck a defiant tone. “We know what’s waiting for us in Wellington and we’re excited about the challenge,” he said. “Finals rugby is about embracing that and earning the right to keep your season alive. This group has shown resilience all season. We’ve had plenty of injuries and challenges, but the players continue to stay in the fight.”

Assistant coach Jason Holland, who will take charge of the Blues next season, emphasised the Hurricanes’ need to stick to their process. “We’re not trying to reinvent anything, we’re not trying to find a little bit of magic,” Holland said. “It is about the simple parts of the game around our carry-clean, around our work rate, all the little things we’ve been talking about for years.”

The Hurricanes have lost their last three play-off matches, while the Blues have lost two. Should the Blues fall, it would mark the first time in the club’s history they have dropped three consecutive play-off matches. The stakes, as ever in semi-final week, could not be higher.

Hurricanes (1–15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo

Blues (1–15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Beauden Barrett

Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Che Clark, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe. Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert. TMO: Richard Kelly.

Unavailable – Hurricanes: Devan Flanders (concussion – TBC), Brett Cameron (knee – season), Riley Higgins (shoulder – season), Jai Tamati (knee – season), Drew Wild (shoulder – 1 week)

Unavailable – Blues: Zarn Sullivan (foot), Sam Nock (hand), Malachi Wrampling (concussion/suspension), Ben Ake (ankle), Kurt Eklund (back), Joshua Fusitu’a (hamstring), Jordan Lay (concussion), Sam Matenga (neck), Dalton Papali’i (jaw), James Cameron (legs – season), Cameron Christie (knee – season), Hemopo Cunningham (foot – season)

Milestones

• Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) – 150th Super Rugby match; third player to reach the milestone for the club
• Brad Shields (Hurricanes) – 142nd Hurricanes cap; becomes the club’s third most-capped player, overtaking Dane Coles
• Peter Lakai (Hurricanes) – 50th Hurricanes cap at 23 years of age; seventh Hurricane to reach the milestone in 2026
• Fehi Fineanganofo (Hurricanes) – tied the all-time Super Rugby single-season try record (16), alongside Joe Roff and Ben Lam

Where to watch

Australia: Stan Sport (all matches, ad-free, live and on demand)
New Zealand: Sky Sport
Fiji: Sky Pacific (pay TV); Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (free-to-air)
United Kingdom & Ireland: Sky UK
United States & Canada: ESPN; FloSports (USA territories); TSN (Canada)
Pacific Islands: Digicel
Japan: Wowow
South Africa & Africa: SuperSport
France: Canal+
Rest of World: NZR+ (streaming)

Beauden Barrett has been recalled at fullback as the Blues make four personnel changes and two positional switches for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Hurricanes at Hnry Stadium in Wellington.

Key team news:

• Beauden Barrett returns at fullback after missing three weeks with a quad injury; Zarn Sullivan ruled out with a foot problem
• Hoskins Sotutu starts at number eight for the suspended Malachi Wrampling, who received a three-week ban for his red card against the Crusaders
• Finlay Christie replaces Sam Nock (broken hand) at halfback
• Xavi Taele shifts to second five-eighth, AJ Lam moves to centre, Cole Forbes starts on the right wing
• Stephen Perofeta retained at fly-half alongside Barrett
• Four changes to the side beaten 52–31 by the Crusaders in last weekend’s qualifying final

The 35-year-old Barrett will line up in the number 15 jersey for the first time in over 12 months when he returns to the ground he once called home during eight years with the Hurricanes. His comeback offsets the loss of incumbent fullback Sullivan, while Perofeta retains the fly-half berth he has made his own during Barrett’s absence.

The Blues enter the semi-final as heavy underdogs, having lost four consecutive matches, but reached the final four courtesy of the competition’s qualifying final format which gave the highest-ranked loser a second chance.

Head coach Vern Cotter has been forced into changes across the park. Wrampling’s absence after his red card for a high tackle on Leicester Fainga’anuku against the Crusaders brings Hoskins Sotutu into the starting side at number eight – in what could prove his final appearance before departing for England. Finlay Christie steps in at halfback after Nock suffered a broken hand in the same defeat in Christchurch.

The backline has been reshuffled significantly. Xavi Taele moves infield from centre to second five-eighth, with AJ Lam shifting from wing to outside centre. Cole Forbes comes onto the right wing, while Pita Ahki drops to the bench. Che Clark and Taufa Funaki have been added to the replacements.

Captain Patrick Tuipulotu leads the side, with the forward pack otherwise unchanged from last weekend’s loss. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater and Marcel Renata remain in the front row, while Sam Darry partners Tuipulotu in the second row and Torian Barnes and Anton Segner continue in the loose forwards alongside Sotutu.

Cotter struck an optimistic tone despite the disruption. “We know what’s waiting for us in Wellington and we’re excited about the challenge,” he said. “Finals rugby is about embracing that and earning the right to keep your season alive.”

The Blues coach acknowledged the scale of the task awaiting his side against the competition leaders. “The Hurricanes have been the competition’s most consistent team, and they will be tough to beat at home, but we’ve prepared well and are looking forward to the contest,” Cotter said. “This group has shown resilience all season. We’ve had plenty of injuries and challenges, but the players continue to stay in the fight.”

The Blues’ injury list makes for grim reading, with Ben Ake (ankle), Kurt Eklund (back), Joshua Fusitu’a (hamstring), Jordan Lay (concussion), Sam Matenga (neck), Dalton Papali’i (jaw) and several long-term absentees also unavailable. The toll has contributed to a difficult run of form since the Blues last won – a 59–34 victory over the Moana Pasifika in Round 14.

The Hurricanes have beaten the Blues twice this season by 23-point margins, making it a daunting assignment for a side that has not won a play-off match away from home since claiming the title in 2024. Should the Blues lose, it would mark the first time in the club’s history they have dropped three consecutive play-off matches.

Blues (1–15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Beauden Barrett

Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Che Clark, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer

Match details: Hurricanes v Blues, Hnry Stadium, Wellington. Saturday 13 June, 7.05pm (NZST) / 5.05pm (AEST). Live on Sky Sport (NZ) and Stan Sport (Aus).

All Blacks tighthead Fletcher Newell has been cleared to return from a knee injury as the Crusaders name their side for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

Key team news:

• Fletcher Newell returns at tighthead prop after recovering from an MCL injury sustained against the Hurricanes a fortnight ago
• George Bower drops to the bench to accommodate Newell’s return
• Braydon Ennor starts at outside centre for the injured Dallas McLeod (groin)
• Macca Springer added to the bench
• Johnny McNicholl cleared to start after finishing last week’s qualifying final with a strapped hand
• Two changes to the starting XV that defeated the Blues 52–31 in the qualifying final

Newell missed only one match – last weekend’s comprehensive victory over the Blues in Christchurch – after sustaining the minor MCL issue, and his swift return will ease concerns for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks ahead of the July test window. The 26-year-old joins Finlay Brewis and vice-captain Codie Taylor in the front row.

“I’m feeling really good, really confident in how the last week’s gone around my knee, and really excited to get back in the team,” Newell said. “I just had a full week of training and did everything I could to give myself the best opportunity to be out there.”

Head coach Rob Penney said Newell’s return was perfectly timed for the most demanding phase of the competition. “Fletch has played phenomenally for us, and we’re blessed to have him back this week,” Penney said. “You need all your top weaponry available at this time of year, and his experience is going to be very valuable.”

The other change comes in midfield, where Braydon Ennor steps into the number 13 jersey after Dallas McLeod was ruled out with a groin injury. Ennor, who had minutes off the bench in last weekend’s qualifying final, partners captain David Havili in the centres. Penney backed the experienced midfielder to slot in seamlessly. “He’s world-class and brings some different elements, but he’s equally as impressive on both sides of the ball,” Penney said. “You lose one, bring another in, and it’s hopefully pretty seamless.”

Fullback Johnny McNicholl, who scored a hat-trick in the 52–31 demolition of the Blues, has been cleared to start despite finishing that match with a heavily strapped hand. “I’ve been through a lot in my career, so I feel like I’ve had plenty of scenarios that I can draw back on and put into a semi-final like this,” McNicholl said. “It’s my turn to go out there and do the job.”

The Crusaders are otherwise unchanged, with Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara continuing their halves combination and the experienced back three of Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and McNicholl retained. Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Christian Lio-Willie form the back row, with Antonio Shalfoon and Jamie Hannah in the second row.

Newell relished the prospect of a hostile environment in Hamilton, where the Crusaders beat the Chiefs 43–33 earlier in the season. “It will be hostile, but it’s an awesome opportunity for us to go out there and put on a good performance,” he said. “They’re a quality side and the last times we’ve played them have been really tough. We’ve got full trust in our group.”

The defending champions have won their last seven semi-finals on the bounce and their last five finals matches against the Chiefs, including last year’s Grand Final in Christchurch. Penney, however, warned against complacency. “At this stage of the competition, all the teams are very even and very capable of inflicting wounds on each other,” he said. “There’s no guarantees. It’s very brutal from here.”

The Crusaders’ injury list remains extensive, with All Blacks captain Scott Barrett (back), Will Jordan (calf) and Tamaiti Williams (discitis) among those ruled out for the season. Hooker George Bell (calf), utility Cullen Grace (knee) and loose forward Seb Calder (calf) are also unavailable.

Crusaders (1–15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, George Bower, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer

Match details: Chiefs v Crusaders, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. Friday 12 June, 7.05pm (NZST) / 5.05pm (AEST). Live on Sky Sport (NZ) and Stan Sport (Aus).