Chiefs teammates have shown off their competitive spirits at practice just days away from the 2024 Super Rugby campaign kicking off. Depending on who you ask, though, they may have focused that energy towards the wrong people.
Forwards Samipeni Finau and Hamilton Burr were caught exchanging knuckle sandwiches during a training session yesterday. Captured by Newshub, the footage shows the two on opposing sides of a scrum or maul when all of a sudden Finau just punches Burr.
With the team opening their season with a finals rematch against the Crusaders on Friday, the coaches and fans see the bruhaha as a positive. Head coach Clayton McMillan hopes the aggression will be used to enact revenge on the champions from Christchurch.
"We can't change what happened last year but we can certainly have an influence on what happens on Friday," he said. "If all of the energy is directed there, then we give ourselves a chance."
Punters online fully agree, saying the punch-up is just a show of passion.
“Bet the coaches are delighted,” one person wrote. “Shows the lads are serious.”
“Get in boys!” said another. “Love to see it."
“That’s Chiefs Mana right there,” a third added. “Didn’t back down to each other. I bet they’ll have each other’s back on gameday.”
Apart from it being a finals rematch, the game on Friday will be a special one for Chiefs prop Aidan Ross - his 69th game for the team. He chatted to The Morning Rumble to discuss his pregame routine ahead of the big day.
“I like to lie in, have brekkie, have lunch and then just literally sit and wait until it’s 5 o’clock and you have to go to the stadium,” he said.
He’s a good bloke and a crack-up interview - check out the full chat with him here.
And hey, we all have one more reason to celebrate the match on Friday: Rugby is back, baby!
