Super Rugby final: Waikato Chiefs eye historic upset in Canterbury Crusaders' den

The Waikato Chiefs insist they won’t be daunted by the prospect of facing the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch for next week’s Super Rugby final, despite their rivals’ near-impeccable home record.

The Chiefs stormed into their third straight grand final with a stunning 37-17 semi-final victory over the ACT Brumbies on Saturday.

Having lost the past two finals - against the Crusaders in 2023 and the Auckland Blues the year before - Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan believes his side is now primed to take the final step and claim their first Super Rugby title since 2013.


Standing in their path is the competition’s most decorated team. The Crusaders are chasing a record-extending 13th full-season title and boast a perfect 31-0 record in home playoff matches, a streak that dates back to 1996.

Yet McMillan remains confident. He said his squad will head into the final with belief and without fear, as they prepare to launch a bold challenge on the Crusaders' fortress.

"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," McMillan told reporters after the semis win.

Under McMillan’s leadership, the Chiefs have enjoyed notable success in Christchurch, winning three of their last five regular-season encounters there - including a 35-19 comeback victory last month after trailing by 16 points.

However, the Crusaders have hit peak form since that loss, stringing together six consecutive wins, including a gritty 21-14 semi-final triumph over reigning champions Auckland Blues on Friday.

The upcoming final will mark the end of McMillan's five-year tenure with the Chiefs before he departs to take over as head coach at Irish club Munster.