3 days ago
Blues Named For Qualifying Final Against Chiefs
EMBARGOED UNTIL 4PM
June 4, 2025
Blues named for Qualifying Final against Chiefs
The Blues have named a near unchanged side to go up against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final in Hamilton on Saturday night.
After a dominant win against the Waratahs to earn a spot in the finals, the Blues are ready to lift their game to another level against the top-of-the-table Chiefs.
There's just one change to the starting XV with Adrian Choat coming in at blindside flanker for Anton Segner who will provide impact off the bench.
The game will be a special occasion for hooker Ricky Riccitelli who will run out in his 50th match for the Blues.
Despite the Chiefs narrowly winning the last clash 32-31 in Round 5, a lot has changed since the two sides last met.
The Blues have won three of their last four games and held opponents to six points or fewer in two of their last three.
The Chiefs (22.8 points conceded) and Blues (23.6 points) are the two best defensive teams in the competition, setting the stage for a physical contest.
Head coach Vern Cotter said he was looking forward to the challenge of finals rugby.
'We've built some good momentum over the past few weeks. Our guys are well connected and know what we want to achieve as a group,' he said.
'Finals rugby is a clean slate, and it comes down to preparing and executing well. We are certainly up for the fight and looking forward to the opportunity ahead of us.
'We need our Blues fans behind us for this one and hope to see plenty of them in the crowd cheering us on.'
