Chiefs v Reds: What you need to know for Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final in Hamilton

Saturday, 6 June 2026

Blues openside flanker Anton Segner tells the Aotearoa Rugby Pod about his clash with Crusaders hybrid Leicester Fainga’anuku, one of his oldest friends in New Zealand.

The Chiefs host the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific’s third qualifying final at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.
The match in Hamilton starts at 7:05pm with live coverage on Sky Sport and live updates on Stuff from 6:45pm.
The Chiefs, desperate to win their first title since 2013, have been hampered by key injuries to their outside backs ahead of the playoffs.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Damian McKenzie’s return from concussion will help to offset some key absentees in the Chiefs’ backs ahead of their playoff campaign.

The All Blacks playmaker is back at No 10 for Saturday night’s clash with the Reds in Hamilton.

However, injuries have sidelined the following outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo (both foot), Leroy Carter (hamstring) and midfielder Daniel Rona (hand).

The Chiefs have confirmed All Blacks winger Narawa and Nanai-Seturo are done for the season. Xavier Roe, a regular starter at halfback, is also missing this week because of a hamstring injury.

Carter, another All Blacks flyer, and Roe could return if they make next weekend’s semifinals. Rona’s comeback is less certain.

Starting against the Queenslanders are rookie fullback Isaac Hutchinson, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Kyren Taumoefolau on the wings, with Kyle Brown partnering All Black Quinn Tupaea in midfield.

The Chiefs are still heavily favoured to see off the Reds and make the last four again. They have seven All Blacks in their starting pack: Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Ollie Norris.

Already guaranteed of coming second last week, their second-string team walloped the Blues 59-34 in Hamilton.

The Reds do have imposing Wallabies forwards such as Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Still, the weekend started with the telling record of no Australian side ever winning a playoff match in New Zealand in 21 attempts and a shock result in Hamilton, frankly, seems unlikely.

The Reds have been regular visitors to Waikato in the playoffs of late. They came and went after quarterfinal defeats in 2024 (43-21) and 2023 (29-20).

Chiefs fans will be praying first-year coach Jono Gibbes can take them one step further than Clayton McMillan did after four defeats in finals in his five years in charge.

They were pipped 16-12 by Rob Penney’s Crusaders in last year’s final in Christchurch.

The Chiefs’ title drought is the longest of any New Zealand side. Their last was their second in a row under Dave Rennie in 2013.

The Highlanders (2015), the Hurricanes (2016), the Blues (2024) and the Crusaders (eight times) have all been champions since.

TEAMS

Chiefs: Isaac Hutchinson, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Kyle Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Sione Ahio, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi.

Reds: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight (capt), Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, and Aidan Ross. Reserves: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard.

TAB ODDS

Chiefs $1.11, Reds $6.00

HEAD TO HEAD

The Chiefs have 18 wins to the Reds’ 13 in their 31 meetings since 1996.

PREDICT THE RESULT

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