Kiwi Derby Heats Up Wellington as Super Rugby Pacific Semifinal Looms
The Super Rugby Pacific season is set to name its second finalists, and a thrilling Kiwi derby between the Hurricanes and Chiefs is set to take center stage in Wellington on Saturday.
While the Hurricanes have already secured two recent victories over their semifinal opponents, the Chiefs’ dominant quarter-final win against the Reds has the Wellington side bracing for a different challenge.
“With your history of playing the teams, you certainly get a feel, and through analysis, there’s certainly some DNA things that the Chiefs are renowned for, which we’ve seen and felt throughout the season,” explained Hurricanes assistant coach and former All Black Jamie Mackintosh. “But, evidently, you look at that Chiefs team in that quarter-final last week and they seem to be a different team with (Samipeni) Finau and (Wallace) Sititi at No. 8.”
Those two players, according to Mackintosh, add significant power and physicality to the Chiefs’ game, which could pose a stern test for the Hurricanes. “I’ve got no doubt in my mind that the Chiefs team that we’re playing in the semi-final will be picked around a big, hard, physical pack,” he added.
The Chiefs, unlike the Hurricanes, have named an unchanged starting lineup for the semifinal, although they face the steep challenge of securing a playoff victory on the road. History suggests the home teams hold a significant advantage in the Super Rugby playoffs, with the Chiefs being the last visiting side to suffer a defeat in the 2023 final against the Crusaders.
With the speed of ruck ball and field positioning set to be crucial factors, both teams are bracing for a physical and evenly matched encounter. The Hurricanes, however, remain wary of the Chiefs’ ability to peak at the right time and field their strongest possible lineup in the all-important semifinal showdown.
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