The Hurricanes and Chiefs have named their sides for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final in Wellington, the home team boosted by a settled spine and the Chiefs forced into late reshuffling by injury.
It is the Hurricanes' first grand final since they won their only title in the same city a decade ago, and coach Clark Laidlaw has the luxury of an unchanged backline for the decider. Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continue in the halves, co-captain Jordie Barrett lines up alongside Billy Proctor in midfield, and Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin retain the back three. The pack receives a lift from the return of blindside flanker Devan Flanders, who has cleared concussion protocols to join co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai in the loose forwards.
"It's a hugely exciting week and game ahead. A home final in front of a sold-out stadium, it doesn't get much better than that," Laidlaw said.
"We've prepared really well at the start of the week. We've got no question about what's coming from the Chiefs and how good they are. We know it's going to be a tough battle, but it's something we're really excited about."
The Chiefs, in their fourth grand final in a row, arrive carrying two enforced changes. Head coach Jono Gibbes lost Lalakai Foketi and Isaac Hutchinson to injury, bringing Kyle Brown in at centre and Leroy Carter onto the wing, with Liam Coombes-Fabling shifting to fullback. All Blacks flanker Wallace Sititi was not considered as he works through concussion protocols. Damian McKenzie, the only man to have played every minute of the Chiefs' last three grand finals, again steers the side at fly-half.
"You work hard to be given this opportunity and it is satisfying to be in this position, but we also know there is one more game to win," Gibbes said. "The Hurricanes have been the pace-setters throughout the season and it will be a terrific challenge playing them at their home, but it is one we are looking forward to."
Saturday is also a milestone for Chiefs No.8 Simon Parker, who plays his 50th game for the club having debuted against the Crusaders in 2020. "It's a huge honour to play 50 games for this team, and it will be even more special doing it in the final against the Hurricanes," Parker said.
It is the fifth time the sides have met in Super Rugby finals — each has won twice — but the first in a grand final. The Chiefs have beaten the Hurricanes in seven of their last 10 meetings, including a 22-17 extra-time win in captain Luke Jacobson's 100th match earlier this season. The Hurricanes, pace-setters for much of the campaign, shattered the competition's try record in dismantling the Blues to reach the decider and sold out the fixture within minutes of tickets going on sale.
Kick-off is Saturday evening in Wellington.
