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The key area where the Super Rugby Aotearoa final will be won and lost

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison believes his side need to withstand the anticipated onslaught from the Chiefs at the breakdown if they are to claim their fifth straight Super Rugby crown.

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The Crusaders will host the Super Rugby Aotearoa final against the Hamilton franchise in Christchurch on Saturday as they look to defend their long-standing champion status.

Tipped by many as favourites to emerge from Orangetheory Stadium with the silverware in tandem, Ellison was adamant the resurgent Chiefs pose a serious threat to their title hopes, largely due to their presence and ability at the breakdown.

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Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison previews Super Rugby Aotearoa final

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Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison previews Super Rugby Aotearoa final

“I think they’ll be physical at the breakdown,” Ellison told media of the threat the Chiefs pose to the Crusaders.

“They’re well-coached and they’ve got some good players on the ball. They’ve obviously got some X-factor, both starting and on the bench, so they’ll probably look to move the ball if they have the chance as well.”

Those players Ellison mentioned include the Chiefs’ powerhouse loose forward trio consisting of Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier and Luke Jacobson.

Sowakula has been in good form all season as Clayton McMillan’s side evolved from last season’s winless wooden-spooners to a team that has beaten every Kiwi franchise to deservedly secure a place in this year’s final.

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Boshier and Jacobson, meanwhile, have bounced strongly from their respective injury concerns to force their way into the All Blacks selection debate.

All three players are bound to have a noticeable impact on Saturday’s final through their work at the breakdown, but Ellison pointed to a former All Blacks teammate who could be crucial in giving the Chiefs an extra edge in their quest for an upset win.

“They’ve been pretty good at the breakdown this year and traditionally they are as well. The koro Liam Messam was back there [last week], he’s probably talking about the breakdown to them last week as well, so we expect it.”

Although the Chiefs’ prowess over the ball is one of their strengths, it’s hardly as if the Crusaders don’t have any strike power of their own within their back row and at the breakdown.

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They have an All Black in No. 8 Cullen Grace, while Ethan Blackadder, who is starting at blindside flanker, could well join him in the national squad after his coming-of-age performances throughout the year.

Tongan-born openside flanker Sione Havili Talitui is another player with plenty of potential, and veteran hooker Codie Taylor has also proven himself as a quality pilferer when called upon.

It’s for that reason that Ellison is confident his side can withstand the pressure the Chiefs are set to apply in the tackled ball area during the final.

“What do I want to see there? Much of what we train every week, making sure we win races and get our heads in and that’s the biggest part for us,” he said of how his side plans to nullify the threat posed by the Chiefs.

“We probably got a warning shot up in Hamilton [in last month’s 26-25 defeat to the Chiefs], but it’s an area of our game we’re constantly looking to improve.”

Kick-off for the Super Rugby Aotearoa final is scheduled for 7:05pm on Saturday [NZT].

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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