Chiefs face final hurdle

The Chiefs are keeping the faith in the lead up to the Super Rugby final, naming an unchanged line-up for Saturday's clash with the Brumbies.

In front of a sold out crowd, the Chiefs will attempt to win back-to-back titles after toppling the Crusaders 20-19 in last week's semi-final.

Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer has retained the Chiefs No.7 jersey for tomorrow's finals clash with the Brumbies.

If the Brumbies have any chance of winning, as with last year's beaten finalists the Sharks, they must overcome a gruelling travel schedule which saw them arrive in Hamilton yesterday following their last-gasp 26-23 win against the Bulls in Pretoria.

This is the Brumbies first final appearance since lifting the Super Rugby trophy in 2004.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is resisting the urge to reshuffle his squad, instead placing faith in the side, which earned them a spot in their second consecutive final.

The only concern is Bay of Plenty wing Lelia Masaga, who is suffering from an ankle injury and still needs to get through the last training. But Rennie is optimistic the electrifying wing will take his place in what is his final game in Chiefs' colours.

'There has been an enormous amount of hard work to get us into this position and we are excited to be playing in front of the people who mean the most to us,” says Rennie.

If Masaga does not make it through, Robbie Robinson slots in on the wing with Patrick Osborne taking his place on the bench.

In the Brumbies, the Chiefs may face a sterner kicking duel than the Crusaders while also being wary of talismanic flanker George Smith who has been somewhat of a revelation since returning refreshed from Japan.

Rennie knows it will be an emotionally charged night with Craig Clarke, Toby Smith, Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard and Masaga all heading offshore at the end of the season.

'They have been a big part of the Chiefs family and we want to send these outstanding Chiefs men out on a high with back to back titles.”

Chiefs' squad to face the Brumbies at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton tomorrow (7.35pm):

  1. Toby Smith
  2. Hika Elliot
  3. Ben Tameifuna
  4. Craig Clarke ©
  5. Brodie Retallick
  6. Liam Messam
  7. Tanerau Latimer
  8. Matt Vant Leven
  9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
  10. Aaron Cruden
  11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
  12. Andrew Horrell
  13. Charlie Ngatai
  14. Lelia Masaga/Robbie Robinson
  15. Gareth Anscombe
  16. Rhys Marshall
  17. Ben Afeaki
  18. Michael Fitzgerald
  19. Sam Cane
  20. Augustine Pulu
  21. Bundee Aki
  22. Robbie Robinson/Patrick Osborne

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