The Blues and Chiefs have confirmed their sides for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific final.
The hosts received a big boost with the return of captain and All Black Patrick Tuipulotu for Saturday’s decider.
Tuipulotu made a timely recovery from an MCL injury suffered in the quarter-final win over Fijian Drua.
It was initially rumored that the injury would keep him out until the start of the Test season.
However, the Blues have named their captain to return in place of Josh Beehre in the second row.
“Patty is a Blues man and she came to us this week very keen to play in a grand final,” coach Vern Cotter said.
βHe tested the knee on Monday in the gym and then on the grass yesterday. He’s been well taken and given the all-clear from our medical team β he’s a welcome addition to our pack, our talismanic lock and our leader.β
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are counting the cost of a physical semi-final after losing All Blacks hen Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Taukei’aho suffered a leg injury in the win over the Hurricanes, coming off after 20 minutes.
Tyrone Thompson has entered for the first time in 2024, with Bradley Slater coming off the bench.
Slater also came on late with a knock, with Thompson starting last for the Chiefs in round 15 of 2023 against the Western Force.
The visitors were boosted by the return of full-back Sean Stevenson, a late withdrawal with a hamstring complaint.
Coach Clayton McMillan made one change to the bench, with Manaaki Shelby-Rickitt replacing Naitoa Ah Quoi.
Saturday 22 June: Blues v Chiefs at Eden Park, Auckland (7:05pm NZT/5:05pm AEST)
BLUE (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a , Stefanos Perofeta
INVENTORIES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Cole Forbes
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Tyrone Thompson, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Browan, Sean Stevenson
INVENTORIES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona
Referee: Nick Berry
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Damon Murphy