The Blues have locked in their squad for a high-stakes showdown against the Chiefs this Saturday in Hamilton, with just one tweak to the starting XV following their commanding win over the Waratahs.

Adrian Choat steps in at blindside flanker, replacing Anton Segner, who will bring firepower off the bench.

Hooker Ricky Riccitelli is set to hit a major milestone, running out for his 50th match in Blues colours.

This one’s a biggie—not just because it’s finals footy, but because the last time these two sides met, the Chiefs edged it by a single point.

Since then, the Blues have tightened up their defence and won three of their last four, keeping opponents to six points or fewer in two of those clashes.

Coasties heading south can expect a bruising battle.

These are the top two defensive teams in the competition—only 0.8 points separates their average concession rates—so fans might want to brace for a real arm-wrestle.

Head coach Vern Cotter said the team is well-prepped and ready to rise to the challenge.

“Finals rugby is a clean slate,” he said. “We are certainly up for the fight and looking forward to the opportunity ahead of us.”

Cotter also had a message for Blues supporters, urging them to travel down State Highway 1 to back the boys in blue.

“We need our Blues fans behind us for this one and hope to see plenty of them in the crowd cheering us on.”

And yes—tickets are still up for grabs at flicket.co.nz for any Coasties keen to make the trip and soak up the electric atmosphere of finals night.

Blues Team to Play Chiefs

7:05pm, Saturday 7 June – FMG Stadium, Hamilton

Starting XV:

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (35)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (49)
3. Marcel Renata (64)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (captain) (122)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (21)
6. Adrian Choat (53)
7. Dalton Papali’i (95)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (76)
9. Finlay Christie (66)
10. Beauden Barrett (42)
11. Caleb Clarke (73)
12. AJ Lam (56)
13. Rieko Ioane (126)
14. Mark Tele’a (78)
15. Corey Evans (27)

Reserves:

16. Kurt Eklund (73)

17. Jordan Lay (25)

18. Angus Ta’avao (80)

19. Josh Beehre (25)

20. Anton Segner (35)

21. Sam Nock (80)

22. Harry Plummer (87)

23. Cole Forbes (28)

Unavailable due to injury:

Cam Christie (thumb), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical, season), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)

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