The Gallagher Chiefs are preparing for a highly anticipated Super Rugby grand final this weekend against the Hurricanes after winning against the Crusaders in last weekend’s match in Waikato (49 – 12).
“We’ve got the Hurricanes this weekend in the final. Got a good plan and obviously know that the Hurricanes have a big forward pack, and some big backs in their back line. So it’s identifying them, making sure we make the right tackles and stuff like that,” says Chiefs Halfback, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
According to Tahuriorangi, despite winning against the Hurricanes in the round 10 match (22 – 17) back in April, there are still learnings from that game that they are taking in in order to strategise for the grand final.
“We’ll take the learnings from the last game, but understanding that it’s a new and obviously bigger game and higher stakes. So the boys are just excited for this weekend, and building into it nicely,” according to Tahuriorangi.
A plan of attack is key for the grand final but also being aware of the weather forecast for the game in Wellington.
“I think both teams are pretty attack-minded, pretty optimistic around how we see the game, how we try play the game. So it’s a final. We saw last week we had an endeavor to play. So I think you’ll still see that, but potentially there’s a weather forecast around rain and wind,” according to Chiefs Attack Coach, Roger Randle.
Randle noted that both teams are optimistic and have an attack minded style of play and is encouraging the team to stay focused as there may be moments where momentum changes.
“They’re pretty similar, they love to attack and they’ve got a lot of threats around the park. So I guess, like I said earlier, it’s that optimism to want to play,” Randle says.
As momentum builds for the big game, Tahuriorangi and the team are excited and ready for the challenge to secure the Super Rugby title.
“Excited for the boys. The boys are ready for the challenge, so just obviously keeping our weak the same, freshening up, and ideally going down there with a great plan,” says Tahuriorangi.
“I just want us to stay true to ourselves. That is to keep playing rugby, keep attacking, and there will be moments where momentum will change, but just stay us and keep being positive,” Randle says.
Chiefs ready for sold-out Super Rugby Final clash with Hurricanes
The Chiefs arrived at the Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal on Thursday afternoon to board their flight to Wellington amid the grand final.
“We’re really excited. We’ve been here before, had past experiences and finals. So it’s going to be a big challenge this weekend,” according to Fullback Damian McKenzie.
For over 11 years McKenzie has been playing for the Chiefs with the recent game against the Crusaders marking his 150th game with the Chiefs. McKenzie acknowledged that the Hurricanes played some fantastic rivalry throughout this year’s Super Rugby season.
“We obviously know the threat that the Hurricanes pose, they’ve played some fantastic rivalry all year and obviously led the way there,” McKenzie says.
All tickets to the Super Rugby grand final have been sold out. Assistant Coach, David Hill noted that one of the challenges for the match would be the weather forecast for this weekend.
“I’m sure a lot of Chiefs supporters will be in the stands and yeah looking forward to getting down there and checking out the weather and the conditions and so it will be one of the challenges as well. But yeah, just prepared for whatever the game throws at us,” according to Hill.
Hill acknowledges that the team has learned from past experiences and are taking in those lessons for the grand final.
“I feel like as a group we’ve, like I said, learned from past experiences. We’ve, we’ve built and ground really well across the season and got ourselves to the point of the year where you want to be involved and, and, as a group, we’re ready for this next challenge on Saturday,” Hill says.
The grand final Super Rugby match will take place at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:05pm.