Final: Chiefs v Crusaders

[Bovidae]

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-name-formidable-side-for-sold-out-final

[Duluth]

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-name-formidable-side-for-sold-out-final

1 Aidan Ross (73)
2 Samisoni Taukei'aho (76)
3 George Dyer (20)
4 Brodie Retallick (127)
5 Tupou Vaa'i (43)
6 Pita Gus Sowakula (68)
7 Sam Cane (Co-Captain, 149)
8 Luke Jacobson (62)
9 Brad Weber (Co-Captain, 122)
10 Damian McKenzie (110)
11 Etene Nanai-Seturo (43)
12 Anton Lienert-Brown (105)
13 Alex Nankivell (69)
14 Emoni Narawa (28)
15 Shaun Stevenson (83)

Reserves
16 Tyrone Thompson (14)
17 Ollie Norris (44)
18 John Ryan (16)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (48)
20 Samipeni Finau (31)
21 Cortez Ratima (25)
22 Josh Ioane (10)
23 Rameka Poihipi (29)

Players not considered due to injury
Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Laghlan McWhannell, Lalomilo Lalomilo

[Duluth]

Crusaders Name Side for 2023 Grand Final

The Crusaders have named their last squad of the ’23 season, including the return of departing veteran Sam Whitelock.

[Bovidae]

Sowakula starting ahead of Finau.

[Machpants]

@Bovidae said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

Sowakula starting ahead of Finau.

Plus Whitelock starting, games all Crusaders now

[Stargazer]

Bell v Thomspon in the 2nd half. Two possible future ABs against each other.

[SBW1]

Has George Bell played at all this season? Was a powerhouse for the Under 20s last season and when he got on particularly against the Force in Perth last year.

[Chris]

@SBW1
Played 30 min last week for Lincoln in club footy.

[ploughboy]

other than finau not starting teams are as expected. lets see if whitelock gets to starting line.

[Chris]

@ploughboy

good to go has trained all week.

[ploughboy]

i hope he is. but will be shitty if he isnt and comprimises the end of the year

[ACT Crusader]

It’s a very settled side, starting and bench despite the injuries. Although who’s the new kid at #5? Hope he goes alright.

[Dan54]

@Stargazer said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

Bell v Thomspon in the 2nd half. Two possible future ABs against each other.

I are real fan of these to young fellas too Star, love when we see these fellas playing!

[Dan54]

Really looking forward to game, really pretty neutral, maybe leaning towards Chiefs, but not overly. Wife is away, have house to myself so no interuptions Yehaa.

Was interested talking to a couple of fellas at golf yesterday, they not as overtop as most of us on game etc, but both said they were staying at home to watch, couldn't handle watching it at pub as usual. need not too many around. Love when the buzz gets like this!

[Smudge]

@Duluth said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

So far the poll is at:
58% Chiefs
42% Crusaders

TAB has it even

If they follow the usual schedule teams should be named in 15mins

Chiefs opened at $1.60 & Crusaders $2.30. There's been an avalanche of cash on the Crusaders which has led to them now being $1.92 each, as you note (draw at $16).

[Bones]

@Smudge said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

@Duluth said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

So far the poll is at:
58% Chiefs
42% Crusaders

TAB has it even

If they follow the usual schedule teams should be named in 15mins

Chiefs opened at $1.60 & Crusaders $2.30. There's been an avalanche of cash on the Crusaders which has led to them now being $1.92 each, as you note (draw at $16).

Does that only mean "normal" time then? The result can't be a draw!

[Smudge]

Yes. 80 mins.

[Nepia]

PGS starting over Finau? Is McMillian trying to out dumb Fozzie this week?

Maybe he's working on the theory there's less chance of PGS fucking it up with an error in the last 5 mins if he's not on the field?

[mariner4life]

What the fuck??? Fucking PGS??? Fucking really?

[antipodean]

@Bovidae said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders (poll in first post):

Sowakula starting ahead of Finau.

I wish to change my predication.