2023 Super Rugby Pacific final
2023 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
Event2023 Super Rugby Pacific season
Chiefs Crusaders
New Zealand New Zealand
20 25
Date24 June 2023
VenueWaikato Stadium, Hamilton
Man of the MatchSam Whitelock (Crusaders)[1]
RefereeBen O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Attendance25,000[2][3]

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

Final ladder placings (showing top eight)
Pos. Team Season Points
P W D L
1 Chiefs 14 13 0 1 59
2 Crusaders 14 10 0 4 48
3 Blues 14 10 0 4 46
4 ACT Brumbies 14 10 0 4 46
5 Hurricanes 14 9 0 5 41
6 Waratahs 14 6 0 8 31
7 Fijian Drua 14 6 0 8 26
8 Reds 14 5 0 9 24

Bracket

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finals
 
          
 
10 June – Hamilton
 
 
New Zealand Chiefs29
 
17 June – Hamilton
 
Australia Reds20
 
New Zealand Chiefs19
 
 
 ACT Brumbies9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 June – Christchurch
 
 
New Zealand Blues15
 
10 June – Christchurch
 
New Zealand Crusaders52
 
New Zealand Crusaders49
 
 
Fiji Drua8
 

Final

24 June 2023
17:05 NZST (UTC+12)[8]
Chiefs20–25Crusaders
Try: Shaun Stevenson 23' c
Emoni Narawa 43' c
Con: Damian McKenzie (2/2) 24', 44'
Pen: Damian McKenzie (2/4) 20', 49'
Cards: Anton Lienert-Brown yellow card 9' to 19'
Luke Jacobson yellow card 26' to 36'
Sam Cane Yellow card 72'		ReportTry: Codie Taylor (2) 28' m, 73' c
Richie Mo'unga 36' c
Con: Richie Mo'unga (2/3) 37', 74'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga (2/2) 9', 80+1'
Chay Fihaki (0/1)
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 25,000[2][3]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Chiefs
Crusaders
FB15 Shaun Stevenson
RW14 Emoni Narawa[lower-alpha 1]
OC13 Alex Nankivelldownward-facing red arrow 77'
IC12 Anton Lienert-Brownyellow card 9' to 19'
LW11 Etene Nanai-Seturodownward-facing red arrow 60'
FH10 Damian McKenzie
SH9 Brad Weber (cc)downward-facing red arrow 60'
N88 Luke Jacobsonyellow card 26' to 36'
OF7 Sam Cane (cc)Yellow card 72'
BF6 Pita Gus Sowakuladownward-facing red arrow 50'
LL5 Tupou Vaa'idownward-facing red arrow 60'
RL4 Brodie Retallick
TP3 George Dyerdownward-facing red arrow 60'
HK2 Samisoni Taukei'ahodownward-facing red arrow 69'
LP1 Aidan Rossdownward-facing red arrow 50'
Substitutes:
HK16 Tyrone Thompsonupward-facing green arrow 69'
PR17 Ollie Norrisupward-facing green arrow 50'
PR18 John Ryanupward-facing green arrow 60'
LK19 Naitoa Ah Kuoiupward-facing green arrow 60'
FL20 Samipeni Finauupward-facing green arrow 50'
WG21 Cortez Ratimaupward-facing green arrow 60'
SH22 Josh Ioaneupward-facing green arrow 60'
CE23 Rameka Poihipiupward-facing green arrow 77'
Coach:
Clayton McMillan
FB15 Will Jordan
RW14 Dallas McLeoddownward-facing red arrow 13'
CE13 Braydon Ennor
SF12 Jack Goodhue
LW11 Leicester Fainga'anuku
FH10 Richie Mo'unga
SH9 Mitchell Drummonddownward-facing red arrow 50'
N88 Christian Lio-Willie
OF7 Tom Christie
BF6 Sione Havili Talituidownward-facing red arrow 57'
LL5 Sam Whitelock
RL4 Scott Barrett (c)
TP3 Oli Jagerdownward-facing red arrow 77'
HK2 Codie Taylor
LP1 Tamaiti Williamsdownward-facing red arrow 69'
Substitutes:
HK16 George Bell
PR17 Kershawl Sykes-Martinupward-facing green arrow 69'
PR18 Reuben O'Neillupward-facing green arrow 77'
LK19 Quinten Strange
FL20 Dominic Gardinerupward-facing green arrow 57'
SH21 Willi Heinzupward-facing green arrow 50'
WG22 Fergus Burkeupward-facing green arrow 74'
WG23 Chay Fihakiupward-facing green arrow 13' downward-facing red arrow 74'
Coach:
Scott Robertson

Man of the Match:
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)[1][9]

Assistant Referees:
Nic Berry (Australia)
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)[10]

Notes

  1. ↑ Narawa was born in Fiji. He did not represent New Zealand until after the 2023 season had already concluded.

References

  1. 1 2 "Crusaders win Super Rugby final in thriller". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 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.
  2. 1 2 Goile, Aaron (26 June 2023). "Chiefs rue missing 'royal chance' to break title drought in Super Rugby final". Stuff. Stuff Limited. Archived from the original on 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.
  3. 1 2 Napier, Liam (24 June 2023). "Chiefs v Crusaders: Liam Napier - Savour the Crusaders' greatness as their run will never be repeated". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Archived from the original on 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.
  4. ↑ Powell, Alex (4 June 2023). "Super Rugby Pacific playoffs: Highlanders miss out, no Kiwi derbies as 2023 quarter-finals locked in". Newshub. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Quarter-finalists confirmed for DHL Super Rugby Pacific". superrugby.co.nz. 4 June 2023. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Recap: Crusaders edge Chiefs in thrilling Super Rugby Pacific final". Stuff. Stuff Limited. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023.
  7. ↑ Foote, Stephen (24 June 2023). "Super Rugby Pacific final: All you need to know - Chiefs v Crusaders". Newshub. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "DHL Super Rugby Pacific – Gallagher Chiefs v Crusaders Grand Final!". fmgstadiumwaikato.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Lester, Ned (25 June 2023). "Crusaders player ratings vs Chiefs – Super Rugby Pacific". 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.
  10. ↑ Goile, Aaron (25 June 2023). "Referee review: Ben O'Keeffe's wild ride in Super Rugby Pacific final". Stuff. Stuff Limited.
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