Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has kept faith with the team that downed the Crusaders 20-19 in last week’s Super Rugby semi-final, naming the same line-up for Saturday’s final against the Brumbies in Hamilton.
Winger Lelia Masaga, in doubt with an ankle injury, still has to get through the final training run and has been bracketed with Robbie Robinson, but Rennie is optimistic he will play.
Co-captain and lock Craig Clarke (neck) and flanker Tanerau Latimer (bruised leg) have both survived light training this week to make the starting 15, Latimer keeping All Black Sam Cane – who started all three All Blacks Tests against France in June – on the reserve bench.
The Chiefs will play in front of a sold-out stadium as they attempt to win back-to-back Super Rugby titles.
Rennie expects the match to be a highly charged emotional occasion, with Clarke, Masaga, Toby Smith, Richard Kahui and Brendon Leonard all heading offshore at the end of the season.
“They have all 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,” he said.
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga/Robbie Robinson, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Bundee Aki, Robbie Robinson/Patrick Osborne.