All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been recalled to the Canterbury Crusaders team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch against an unchanged Waikato Chiefs side.
The powerful tighthead missed last week’s semi-final win over the Auckland Blues because of a knee problem but returns to join Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, forcing George Bower back to the bench.
“Tamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it’s the blessing of having a great squad,” coach Rob Penney said.
“George Bower has done an amazing job and he’s unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he’s going to get the opportunity.”
Winger Chay Fihaki has been ruled out of the match by concussion so Macca Springer, who scored five tries in one game against the Western Force earlier this season, comes in on the left wing with Sevu Reece moving to the right.
“Macca has been training hard behind the scenes. You always say to your players ‘an opportunity will come, be ready’. Now it’s come and he’s ready,” Penney added.
For the Chiefs, All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has not recovered from a collar bone injury so Daniel Rona will again partner Quinn Tupaea in the midfield outside Damian McKenzie.
The visitors will field their first-choice back row of Wallace Sititi, skipper Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau for what is likely to be a titanic clash up front.
“We’ve built real continuity across the season, and that will serve us well in Christchurch,” said Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, who will take charge of the team for the final time on Saturday.
“The Crusaders have proven time and again that they know how to lift in finals footy. They’re clinical, composed, and proud of their home record. We’re ready for a good final fight.”
The Chiefs have finished runners-up for the last two seasons and will need to hand the Crusaders a first loss in 32 Christchurch playoffs going back to 1998 to win their first Super Rugby title since 2013.
“History is history, it is what it is and we’re not even thinking about that,” said Penney.
“We’re just thinking about the contest ahead of us which is really exciting.”
