Ex-All Black compares Blues vs Chiefs final to State of Origin’s ‘hatred’

Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Richard Kahui has compared the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final between the Blues and Chiefs to Australia’s iconic State of Origin matchup between Queensland and New South Wales.

For those who live in Australia or consider themselves fans of rugby league, you know just how intense those three matches are every year. It dominates the sporting cycle along the east coast as fans and former players alike ruthlessly express their hatred for the rival state.

It’s a sensational sporting product that captures an incredibly large audience, but the good news for rugby union is Super Rugby Pacific might have its Origin-esque rivalry on show with silverware on the line this weekend.

The Chiefs were beaten in last year’s decider in Hamilton and they have an almighty task waiting for them at Eden Park on Saturday as they look to go one better in 2024. But the Blues won’t be lacking in motivation as they look to return to the top.

Richard Kahui has not only talked up the rivalry between the two teams in the leadup to the clash, but the former Chiefs midfielder has also previewed the Grand Final as a genuine battle for “30 players on the pitch” to impress national selectors.

“It’s going to be a great weekend. I think, like you said, a sellout,” the former All Blacks winger said on SENZ’s Th Run Home with Kirst & Beav.

“Chiefs-Blues is as close as you get to State of Origin in terms of intensity, intensity of hatred –  I know it’s a strong word.

“I cannot wait for the weekend and I think there’s 30 players on the pitch that are all a good crack at making that All Blacks squad because there’s some talent out there.”

All Black Patrick Tuipulotu has somehow recovered from a knee injury to lead the Blues into battle on Saturday evening. This is a side that boasts world-class quality, too, including the likes of Dalton Papali’i and Rieko Ioane.

As for the visitors, they’ll look to star first five-eighth Damian McKenzie to steer them to glory. Blues No. 10 Harry Plummer, who will line up opposite ‘D Mac’ in the big dance praised his rival as a “freakish talent” on another SENZ show this week.

McKenzie joins Cortez Ratima in the halves, while Shaun Stevenson returns to the No. 15 jumper out the back. Stevenson debuted for the All Blacks in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies in Dunedin and has been knocking at the door for a recall.

“You can have a mixture of your guys who are out-and-out wingers like your (Mark) Tele’a’s, your (Emoni) Narawa’s,” Kahui explained.

“Then you can have guys like maybe a Shaun Stevenson who can play wing-fullback. I would like to see him be somewhere in the mix. I think he’s pushed pretty hard this year.

“We’re spoilt for choice for the outside backs when you look at what’s on show this weekend. If both team’s forwards can get any go-forward at all, it should be a bloody exciting Grand Final.”