Overview
- The second Super Rugby Champions Final will be played at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday with both the Auckland Blues and NSW Waratahs arriving off domestic three‑peat wins.
- The Blues named their matchday 23 but confirmed several Aupiki final stars are unavailable, with Atlanta Lolohea, Jaymie Kolose and Maama Vaipulu omitted because of concussion, ankle and knee injuries respectively.
- Auckland have promoted Grace Gago, Eloise Blackwell and Katelyn Vahaakolo into starting roles and shifted Ruahei Demant to the bench and Hazel Tubic to No.10 to cover the absences.
- The Waratahs made late changes after naming an initial side, ruling out Amelia Whitaker and Rosie Ferguson and bringing Edie Burke and Lusiana Vesikula into the starting XV while Anaia Cruickshank is in line for a potential bench debut.
- Coaches and captains have framed the match as a test of depth and mindset, with the result likely to hinge on bench impact and how well squads absorb injury losses after the Blues beat the Tahs 36‑5 in the inaugural 2025 final.