The Crusaders and Chiefs have named their lineups for a top-four battle in Christchurch, with two weeks left in the Super Rugby Pacific regular season. The round 15 clash brings together two sides still chasing position at the sharp end of the table.

David Havili will captain the Crusaders from inside a starting XV that includes George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, Havili, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki and Will Jordan. Luke Jacobson leads the Chiefs, who named Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Jacobson, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Issac Hutchinson in their starting side.

The Crusaders listed Manumaua Leita, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Liam Jack, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara and Johnny McNicholl among their eight replacements, while the Chiefs' bench features Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Tepaea Cook-Savage and Daniel Rona. Marcus Playle and Fraser Hannon were named as assistant referees for the match.

The timing gives the contest extra weight. With just two weeks left in the regular season, every point and every selection call can shape the final order, and the round 15 meeting in Christchurch sits squarely in that squeeze. The lineups were set ahead of the rest of the round, with all teams due to be confirmed on Wednesday at 2pm AEST.

What makes crusaders vs chiefs matter now is that there is no room left for drift. Both teams have named full-strength-looking squads for a game that could decide who stays in the top four conversation and who has to chase from behind over the final fortnight.