2023 Super Rugby Pacific final explained
The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final was a rugby union match contested between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium on 24 June 2023. It was the 28th Super Rugby final, staged to determine the premiers of the 2023 season. The match, attended by 25,000 spectators, was won by the Crusaders by a margin of five points, marking the franchise's twelfth Super Rugby title. Sam Whitelock was named "Man of the Match" in his 181st and final match for the Crusaders.
Background
The Chiefs and the Crusaders finished first and second, respectively.[4] [5] It was the teams' first encounter in a Super Rugby final.[6]
Both finalists had won a Super Rugby title, with the Crusaders being the two-time, back-to-back defending champions and holding the most title victories in the Super Rugby (11), with the Chiefs' last Super Rugby title being in 2013. The head-to-head results overall in the Super Rugby before their encounter was 27–19, with the Crusaders holding an eight victory lead. Six of their last ten matches went the way of the Crusaders, and, in 2023, the Chiefs won both fixtures against the Crusaders. The odds for the final were equal, with both teams not being considered favourite.[7]
Road to the final
Bracket
Final
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| FB | 15 | | | | | RW | 14 | | | | | CE | 13 | | | | | SF | 12 | | | | | LW | 11 | | | | | FH | 10 | | | | | SH | 9 | | | | | N8 | 8 | | | | | OF | 7 | | | | | BF | 6 | | | | | LL | 5 | | | | | RL | 4 | Scott Barrett (c) | | | | TP | 3 | | | | | HK | 2 | | | | | LP | 1 | | | | | Substitutes: | | HK | 16 | | | | | PR | 17 | | | | | PR | 18 | | | | | LK | 19 | | | | | FL | 20 | | | | | SH | 21 | | | | | WG | 22 | | | | | WG | 23 | | | | | Coach: | | Scott Robertson | |
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Notes and References
- News: 24 June 2023 . Crusaders win Super Rugby final in thriller . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628204710/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-sport/star-rugby/crusaders-win-super-rugby-final-thriller . 28 June 2023 . He also paid tribute to two veteran players departing the Crusaders – Richie Mo'unga and lock Sam Whitelock, who was named man of the match in his 181st and final game for the team before he heads off to Europe. .
- News: Goile . Aaron . 26 June 2023 . Chiefs rue missing 'royal chance' to break title drought in Super Rugby final . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230626141811/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/132412745/chiefs-rue-missing-royal-chance-to-break-title-drought-in-super-rugby-final . 26 June 2023 . And, having beaten the Crusaders already twice this year (and six times in his tenure – more than double any other side), the red and blacks sporting a hefty injury toll, the Chiefs featuring an All Black-laden roster and five 100-plus-gamers, and a raucous 25,000 roaring them on at FMG Stadium Waikato, here it all was for them to break their decade-long title drought. .
- News: Napier . Liam . 24 June 2023 . Chiefs v Crusaders: Liam Napier - Savour the Crusaders’ greatness as their run will never be repeated . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230626105722/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/chiefs-v-crusaders-liam-napier-savour-the-crusaders-greatness-as-their-run-will-never-be-repeated/XKPIT55IFVHJTLLMTGCJVW3K6M/ . 26 June 2023 . For the Chiefs, the best team all season having lost one match prior to the final, the hurt will linger particularly for the 25,000 locals in attendance and the loyal departing servants Brodie Retallick, Brad Weber, Alex Nankivell and Pita Gus Sowakula. .
- News: Powell . Alex . 4 June 2023 . Super Rugby Pacific playoffs: Highlanders miss out, no Kiwi derbies as 2023 quarter-finals locked in . live . Newshub . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604062037/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/06/super-rugby-pacific-playoffs-highlanders-miss-out-no-kiwi-derbies-as-2023-quarter-finals-locked-in.html . 4 June 2023 .
- Web site: Quarter-finalists confirmed for DHL Super Rugby Pacific . 4 June 2023 . superrugby.co.nz . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830084053/https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/quarter-finalists-confirmed-for-dhl-super-rugby-pacific/ . 30 August 2023 .
- News: 24 June 2023 . Recap: Crusaders edge Chiefs in thrilling Super Rugby Pacific final . live . Stuff . Stuff Limited . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628145700/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300910067/recap-crusaders-edge-chiefs-in-thrilling-super-rugby-pacific-final . 28 June 2023 .
- News: Foote . Stephen . 24 June 2023 . Super Rugby Pacific final: All you need to know - Chiefs v Crusaders . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627110921/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/06/super-rugby-pacific-final-all-you-need-to-know-chiefs-v-crusaders.html . 27 June 2023 .
- Web site: Crusaders player ratings vs Chiefs – Super Rugby Pacific . Lester . Ned . 25 June 2023 . rugbypass.com . Considering Whitelock was questionable to even play in the match, his shift was immense. The lineout work had the Chiefs fumbling and was a crucial factor when the home side was gathering momentum and confidence. Whitelock's final game of a legendary and storied career in red and black came to a fitting end, with a Man of the Match award and the Super Rugby Pacific trophy. .
- News: Goile . Aaron. 25 June 2023 . Referee review: Ben O'Keeffe's wild ride in Super Rugby Pacific final . Stuff . Stuff Limited .
