Form favours Chiefs history Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific final

Damian McKenzie and the Waikato Chiefs are hoping it will be third time lucky when they face off against the mighty Canterbury Crusaders in another all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday.

The All Blacks flyhalf has been on fire leading an explosive backline behind a rugged pack this year as the Chiefs set the pace in the competition and made the title decider for the third straight season.

The last two finals, however, ended in the bitterness of defeat -- in 2023 to the Crusaders and last year to the Auckland Blues -- to leave this generation of Chiefs without a title to add to the two won by Dave Rennies team in 2012 and 2013.

Clayton Donk McMillan has been the architect of the Hamilton-based franchises success since the end of the COVID pandemic but he will take charge for the last time on Saturday before heading off to Irish province Munster.

Weve got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation, McKenzie said this week.

Do it for Donk. Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. Weve been disappointed in the last few years where we havent quite been able to to win a final.

The Chiefs should have plenty of support in the sell-out crowd at Christchurch Stadium even if the cowbells their fans have traditionally rung are banned on health and safety grounds.

That might not play too much on their minds but they will have to contend with the Crusaders imposing home form in Super Rugby playoff matches over the last three decades, 31 wins and zero losses.

The Chiefs have won five of their last seven Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, including both home and away this season, and McMillan is