TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate try. Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Highlanders at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 1 June 2024. Mandatory credit: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
In Super Rugby Pacific’s second semi-final, the top-seeded Hurricanes face last season’s runners-up, the Chiefs.
While it’s a one-versus-four matchup for the final spot in the 2024 final, the game is expected to be much more competitive than Friday night’s semi-final in Auckland.
The winner of today’s clash in the capital will face the Blues, who defeated the Brumbies 34-20 on Friday.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Saturday, 15 June, 4:35pm. Sky Stadium, Wellington.
The Chiefs have won three of their last five meetings with the Hurricanes dating back to April 2022.
Although the Wellington franchise have the most recent bragging rights - beating the Waikato team in their two encounters this season. It April when the teams met at Sky Stadium, the ‘Canes won 36-23.
The Chiefs enter today’s match after defeating the Reds in the quarterfinal, while the Hurricanes secured their spot by overcoming the Rebels.
The Hurricanes welcome back Tyrel Lomax for their semifinal against the Chiefs on Saturday afternoon at Sky Stadium.
The 32-test All Black will start in the front row alongside hooker Asafo Aumua and loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, who replaces Xavier Numia who was injured in last weekend’s win over the Melbourne Rebels. Captain Brad Shields also returns to the starting lineup after coming off the bench last weekend.
That sees Pasilio Tosi and Devan Flanders move back to the bench, while coach Clark Laidlaw has opted for a 6-2 bench split, which sees Kini Naholo miss out and James Tucker join the reserves.
Hurricanes starting XV:
1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Justin Sangster
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Brad Shields (c)
7. Peter Lakai
8. Brayden Iose
9. T J Perenara
10. Brett Cameron
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Josh Moorby
15. Ruben Love
Reserves:
16. James O’Reilly
17. Tevita Mafileo
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. James Tucker
20. Devan Flanders
21. Du’Plessis Kirifi
22. Richard Judd
23. Bailyn Sullivan
The Chiefs have named an unchanged 23 for their clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday afternoon.
With the side getting through their quarter-final against the Reds last weekend unscathed and putting their best performance of the season on the park, coach Clayton McMillan has opted to stick with that formula in the hope of upsetting the top-seeded Hurricanes.
Chiefs starting XV:
1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. George Dyer
4. Jimmy Tupou
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Rameka Poihipi
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater
17. Jared Proffit
18. Reuben O’Neill
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Simon Parker
21. Xavier Roe
22. Quinn Tupaea
23. Daniel Rona
The TAB has the Hurricanes paying $1.60 to win and the Chiefs $2.25.
Cameron McMillian: Chiefs 1-12
Winston Aldworth: Hurricanes 1-12
Elliott Smith: Hurricanes 1-12
Liam Napier: Hurricanes 1-12
Bonnie Jansen: Hurricanes 13+
Christopher Reive: Hurricanes 1-12
Alex Powell: Hurricanes 1-12
Elijah Fa’afiu: Hurricanes 1-12
Nathan Limm: Hurricanes 1-12
Thank goodness for the afternoon kick-off time because that’s right when there’s a break in the rain.
Expect a few showers, clearing to fine in the afternoon and evening, and a high of 14 degrees.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a slight wind too.
The All Blacks star made a brief appearance at his new club.