Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Chiefs (Final)

• By Kevin McCarthy

Sitting there on Tuesday morning at my computer, buying a ticket to the grand final was a scary moment.

I knew where I wanted a seat and headed straight there, and literally could see the available seats disappearing faster than Russian trucks heading for Crimea.

I snared somewhere at nosebleed level which is just fine. About 15 minutes later, the stadium was sold out.  Amazing. What a response. Clearly no-one saw that coming  because it seems to have been too late to roll out extra seating to squeeze in a couple of thousand extra  seats.

Last Saturday the Stadium was cooking,  at about two-thirds full, so the atmosphere should be all the Hurricanes could wish for.  The first half against the Blues was stuttering and a test of spectator stamina. But flick the switch and the game was won 10 minutes after the break – turning the last 20 or so into a bit of party.

That won’t happen tomorrow night. There’ll be a ton of tension, likely to run the full 80. And of course, one, two or several hundred cowbells going full pelt. Thankfully there’s no attempt to ban them, as the Blues tried a couple of years ago.

It’s always the hope of the visiting side to take the spectators out of the game. If you are there, don’t let that happen, even if the Chiefs take an early lead. As a fan, you aren’t a player, but you are part of the job to be done.

As for the match, obviously it could go either way. Two sides, firing on every cylinder, both prospering through running rugby.   It may be an arm wrestle for  a while too between the respective packs.

Tantalising matchups from an All Blacks view, and maybe the modern truism about whose bench comes through and delivers will be the difference.

You can  write off the weather. Latest read is that it won’t be bucketing down. Who handles the wind, which will be tidy enough strength, could have a bigger effect. But hey, these are two New Zealand sides and a little rain isn’t going to spoil their intent.  Habitual use of the combination of “terrible Wellington weather” is a cliché well past its journalistic use-by date.

Well. All that’s left to say is get there earlier than usual. Go on a fullish stomach. Bring ear muffs for your young kids. Shout yourself hoarse, and bring the title here.

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A special shoutout to the fellow who, with some family help, painstakingly climbed the stairs to his seat last Saturday, clutching a sturdy walking stick.

I have some insight into what that felt like, and everyone nearby was watching him knock the bastards off. One by one.

I hope we see you again tomorrow night.

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The Hurricanes have selected a settled line-up, with most of last week’s team retained in the match day squad.

Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, and Pasilio Tosi all keep their places in the front row, while Isaia Walker-Leawere is promoted to the run-on side to partner Warner Dearns at lock.

The only other change in the starting team comes at blindside flanker, where Devan Flanders returns from concussion to start in his final Hurricanes match as part of a loose forward trio that features co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi and No 8 Peter Lakai.

An unchanged backline sees Cam Roigard and Ruben Love partner in the halves, co-captain Jordie Barrett and centre Billy Proctor pair in the midfield, and wings Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby link with fullback Callum Harkin in the back three.

Jacob Devery and Brad Shields are added to a familiar reserves bench, where Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, and Kini Naholo are all retained.

The Chiefs will have two recent former Wellington club rugby players on their bench, with Reon Paul (Rongotai College and Northern United) and Naitoa ah Kuoi (Wellington College and Marist St Pat’s) riding their pine.

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY CHIEFS (Hurricanes caps in brackets)

1. Xavier Numia (91)
2. Asafo Aumua (89)
3. Pasilio Tosi (52)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (92)
5. Warner Dearns (14)
6. Devan Flanders (69)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (105) – co-captain
8. Peter Lakai (50)
9. Cam Roigard (60)
10. Ruben Love (54)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (25)
12. Jordie Barrett (124) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (82)
14. Josh Moorby (53)
15. Callum Harkin (24)
16. Jacob Devery (24)
17. Siale Lauaki (16)
18. Tyrel Lomax (74)
19. Brad Shields (142)
20. Brayden Iose (66)
21. Ereatara Enari (26)
22. Jone Rova (15)
23. Kini Naholo (38)

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY

Caleb Delany (concussion)
Taine Roiri (ribs)
Jai Tamati (knee)
Brett Cameron (knee)
Will Cole (calf)
Riley Higgins (shoulder)
Josh Timu (foot)
Drew Wild (shoulder)