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The greatest season of Super Rugby Pacific just keeps on trucking, with another barnstorming weekend of rugby on the horizon.
The greatest season of Super Rugby Pacific just keeps on trucking, with another barnstorming weekend of rugby on the horizon.
Table topping Chiefs welcome Simon Cron’s Western Force team who have continued to impress but have a big few games ahead in New Zealand.
Rumours continue to swell around Les Kiss, however the Reds head coach refuses to take his mind of the task at hand, the Blues. The Auckland based side travel to suncorp off the back of a heartbreaking loss to the Crusaders last time out. They have to look at the colour red again this week!
Moana Pasifika have lots of room to improve after being kept scoreless last weekend and only time will tell how big of an impact last weekend’s end to ender will have on the Drua.
The Highlanders return to Dunedin in an effort to stop the rot, unfortunately for them, they’re coming up against a Crusaders team that has rediscovered its mojo.
The Brumbies will look to build on last week’s unspectacular but impressive win over Moana by taking their game to the Hurricanes. If the Brumbies are to set themselves apart from the Reds and the Force, they need to end the Hurricanes’ Australia tour on a sour note.
Let’s take a look at the team news across the board:
Chiefs versus Force @Blake Park
Damian McKenzie is the big name missing from this weekend’s fixtures. The Chiefs playmaker is unavailable due to a hand injury. However, it’s not all bad news for Clayton McMillan’s side as Wallace Sititi looks set to make his return off the bench. The Chiefs have been flying high this year and will become an even greater handful with the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year returning to fitness. The Western Force are without Nic White who suffered a concussion last weekend versus the Hurricanes. Simon Cron’s team have made considerable improvements this year but this mini tour of New Zealand will be key part of setting themselves apart from previous iterations.
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Bench: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kaleb Trask
Force (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Bench: Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Sam Carter, Reed Prinsep (vc), Doug Philipson, Max Burey, George Poolman
Reds versus Blues @Suncorp Stadium
Les Kiss welcomes back Jock Campbell to the starting team. Campbell has been a lockdown type of fullback for the Reds and his return will bring solidity and familiarity to their back three. The Reds continue to bed down their preferred second row combination, with Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto given another chance to display their wares as a combination.
Reds (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Bench: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo De Lutiis, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Heremaia Murray
Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Mark Tele’a, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Bench: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Corey Evans
Moana Pasifika versus Fiji Drua @North Harbour Stadium
Moana Pasifika will roll out both Savea brothers for the first time this season, giving fans the chance to see their Summer signings combine out on the field. Patrick Pellegrini drops to the bench for Jackson Garden-Bachop. The move goes to show the depth Moana Pasifika are building in their matchday 23.
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fine Inisi, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Bench: Tomasi Maka, Monu Moli, Chris Apoua, Allan Craigm Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Julian Savea
Drua (1-15): Peni Ravai, Mesulame Dolokoto (c), Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Isikeli Rabitu, Inia Tabuavou, Taniela Rakuro, Vuate Karawalevu
Bench: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Elia Canakaivata, Leone Nawai, Kemu Valetini, Selestino Ravutaumad
Highlanders versus Crusaders @Forsyth Barr Stadium
James O’Conner, the hero last time out, has been rested for this game, perhaps a nod to his importance moving forward in the competition. Sean Withy returns for the Highlanders after what was one of the laziest displays of foul play I’ve seen in some time.
Timoci Tavatavanawai starts on the wing and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens gets another game to work his way back to full fitness. A big blow for the Crusaders, is the absence of Ethan Blackadder. The Crusaders backrow has been of their key areas of strength this season and Blackadder has been a big part of that.
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Will Stodart, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Jake Te Hiwi, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Nathan Hastie, Sam Gilbert, Josh Whaanga
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Xavier Saifoloi, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Bench: Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki
Brumbies versus Hurricanes @GIO Stadium
Stephen Larkham welcomes back the King of Twickenham, Len Ikitau for this weekend’s fixture. The Western Force’s back three had a great outing versus the Hurricanes, so Corey Toole will be determined to put in another great performance against a defensively wayward back three.
The Hurricanes will be determined to kick on from their disappointing draw against the Force. Super Rugby Pacifics extra time worked well at HBF Park, bringing real drama to proceedings, but this Hurricanes team won’t be content with simply entertaining, they want to bring back points to Wellington.
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Bench: Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Hurricanes (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Bench: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Will Tucker, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 104 | 4 | 32 |
| 2 |  Crusaders | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 63 | 4 | 32 |
| 3 |  Brumbies | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 28 |
| 4 |  Queensland Reds | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 23 |
| 5 |  Western Force | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | -4 | 4 | 22 |
| 6 |  Waratahs | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | -54 | 1 | 21 |
| 7 |  Hurricanes | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 18 |
| 8 |  Blues | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -23 | 5 | 17 |
| 9 |  Highlanders | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -28 | 5 | 17 |
| 10 |  Moana Pasifika | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -39 | 3 | 15 |
| 11 |  Fijian Drua | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | -89 | 3 | 11 |
