DMac back as Chiefs and Crusaders battle it out for Super Rugby top spot

The Waikato Chiefs travel to Christchurch to take on the Canterbury Crusaders in a blockbuster clash on Saturday which will decide which of the teams tops the standings heading into the final couple of weeks of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

For all the increased competitiveness of the Australian and Pacific islands teams this season, the New Zealand heavyweights look likely to keep the Super Rugby title on the western shores of the Tasman Sea for another year.

The Chiefs, runners-up for the last two years, have set the pace since the start of the season but suffered a 35-17 reverse at the hands of the Wellington Hurricanes last week to remain ahead of the Crusaders only on points difference.

The 12-times champion Crusaders, who had a bye in the last round, have enjoyed a marked resurgence after missing the playoffs in 2024 and a trip to Christchurch Stadium is once again one of the toughest assignments in rugby.

All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie returns for the Chiefs after missing two rounds with a hand injury and Wallace Sititi, World Rugbys breakout player of 2024, gets his first start of the season at number eight.

The Crusaders are a class team, have a formidable record at home, and look back to their best, said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan.

Were really looking forward to locking horns. We got taught a lesson last week and we havent shied away from where our shortcomings were.

All Blacks centre Braydon Ennor returns from a long injury layoff to strengthen the Crusaders midfield while world-class outside back Sevu Reece is back on the left wing.

The Crusaders were forced to select a new flyhalf after losing Taha Kemara for the season to a knee injury and have gone for the youth of Rivez Reihana over