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With nearly 19,000 tickets already sold, this weekend's Investec Super Rugby thriller semifinal derby is looking good to be played in front of a full Waikato Stadium.
The forecast is looking fine for the Waikato and with a free Stadium bus service that night, fans will want to make sure they don't miss out. Tickets are available from the Tristram Street gate at Waikato Stadium or from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or by dialing 08004CHIEFS.
On a more sombre note, the Chiefs, Crusaders and fans at Waikato Stadium will pause briefly just before kickoff to remember the tragic passing of Takapuna Rugby Club player Willie Halaifonua.
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The Final scenario |
There's a few ways the Final cookie could crumble (times are local): |
Chiefs v Bulls: Saturday 3 August, 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
Chiefs v Brumbies: Saturday 3 August, 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
Bulls v Crusaders: Saturday 3 August, 5.05pm at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria |
Brumbies v Crusaders: Saturday 3 August, 7.40pm at Canberra Stadium, Canberra |
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Important Stuff
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Check this out!
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All tied up - It's finals footy time, and that means there might be some discussion about the tiebreakers. The rulebooks state that if teams in playoff matches are tied at full time, they'll play normal extra time first, and if it's still tied, they play sudden death for a golden point. If that doesn't break the tie, it will come down to a kicking competition. Check out the SANZAR tiebreak protocols here. |
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Super stats - Our stats geeks have been crunching the numbers to see how our players and teams have performed this year. Find out who has played every minute of the 2013 regular season, check out who made the most metres, had the most carries, and made the most tackles. Warning! This section is not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to sound like you know what you're talking about .... thenclick here for the 2013 season statistics.
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Chiefs conference trophy presentation - NZ Rugby General Manager Neil Sorensen called in on the Chiefs training session this week to present the conference trophy - the second one for the Ruakura-based team. The conference trophies (one each for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa) are smaller versions of the main competition trophy. The Chiefs are hoping it make a full set again this year.
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Coming up this weekend
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Chiefs v Crusaders
7.35pm, Saturday 27 July, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
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Played: 22 | Chiefs wins: 7 | Crusaders wins: 15
Chiefs points: 436 (19.8 per game)
Crusaders points: 628 (28.5 per game)
Chiefs highest score: 30 (2007)
Crusaders highest score: 48 (1998)
Playoff matches: 1 (the Chiefs won)
Last result: Crusaders 43 Chiefs 15, Round 19
Last result in Hamilton: Chiefs 28 Crusaders 19, Round 15
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Compare the two teams' 2013 performances to date |
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Illustrations: Getty Images |
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