Recap: Super Rugby Pacific opening night blog

Rugby fans, it’s time to rejoice. After 251 days, Super Rugby Pacific is back – and it all starts with a New Zealand blockbuster between the Crusaders and Chiefs.

The champion Crusaders claimed yet another title about 36 weeks ago, when they travelled north to Auckland in June to take on the Blues.

Led by Richie Mo’unga, the Crusaders tasted Super Rugby glory for the sixth time in as many years.

But their quest for a seventh crown doesn’t get much harder.

Following on from last year’s tense semi-final in Christchurch – which the Crusaders obviously won 20-7 – the Chiefs will be out for revenge.

But the Chiefs have a not-so-secret weapon to call upon this season.

Playmaker Damian McKenzie is back for the Chiefs in 2023 after taking a sabbatical in Japan.

Rugby World Cup winning flyhalf Stephen Donald believes McKenzie holds the key to the Chiefs’ title hopes this season, and it all begins tonight at Orangetheory Stadium.

“I think for the Chiefs to win the title, he needs to be their main man,” Donald told SENZ The Run Home.

“To me, it’s not in doubt, he’ll be going to the World Cup. He’ll be in the All Blacks’ squad without a shadow of a doubt.

“For me, Damian McKenzie goes to the World Cup and for Chiefs fans… I certainly hope that he’ll be wearing the No. 10 jersey this year for the boys from the Tron.”

But today is a time for rugby supporters on both sides of the Tasman to celebrate.

After the Crusaders and Chiefs battle it out for early season bragging rights, the attention shifts across the ditch for an Australian derby.

The NSW Waratahs are set to host the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium at 7:35pm AEDT.

RugbyPass will be keeping you updated on all the latest action throughout the opening night of the new Super Rugby Pacific campaign, which you can follow below.