Super Rugby Line-ups, tips, odds, everything you need to know for the weekend
Last weekend's rugby action was impressive. Crusaders lost their first game of the season, Reds beat Rebels and Waratahs came close to beating Brumbies. Reds host Brumies this weekend. Highlanders and Chiefs play in Dunedin.
Rebels are starting with Reece Hodge, Frank Lomani, Stacey Ili, Lewis Holland, Marika Koroibete, Matt To'omua, Joe Powell, Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Josh Kemeny, Trevor Hosea, Rob Leota, Pone Faamausili, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff.
Force have Jack McGregor, Byron Ralston, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Jordan Olowofela, Domingo Miotti, Tomas Cubelli, Kane Koteka, Fergus Lee-Warner, Sitaleki Timani, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu'u, Tom Robertson. Force have Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni.
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Kieran Longbottom, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Grason Makara, Richard Kahui.
The Rebels are looking to turn the tide against the Force. The Rebels have just two wins to their name. Force have one win to theirs and have a new look backline. Tomas Cubelli, Tevita Kuridrani and Richard Kahui are expected to play for the Rebels.
Reds are playing against the Black Cats on Saturday, April 10.
Brumbies are: Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga'a and James Slipper.
Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, James Tucker, Ryan Lergan and Bayley Kuenzle are the replacements for the match.
Reds and Brumbies are playing for the top spot on the Super Rugby AU ladder and the right to host the grand final. Reds remain unbeaten so far in 2021 and look unstoppable with their forwards and backs all playing from the same song sheet. Brumies have suffered just one defeat.
Super Rugby Aotearoa are playing at the weekend.
Highlanders are: Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai, Patelesio Tomkinson, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Kazuki Himeno, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Pari Paris Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Ethan de Groot.
Chiefs have a strong squad. Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber, Luke Jacobson, Kaylum Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'a, Angus Ta'avao, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross.
The Highlanders and Chiefs are playing for second and third place in Super Rugby. The Highlands are one point ahead of the Chiefs. The Chiefs won the head-to-head match against the Highland's by 3.5 points.
Hurricanes are without Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Ruben Love, Luke Campbell, Devan Flanders, Ardie Save, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles and Xavier Numia.
There are substitutes for Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Scott Scrafton, Vaea Fifita, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Jonathan Taumateine and Billy Proctor.
Crusaders are without Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havilia Talitui, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Oli Jager, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody.
The Hurricanes lost to the Blues last week. The Crusaders lost at home to New Zealand's All Blacks last weekend. Ruben Love will make his first start for the Hurricanes. Bryn Hall and Sevu Reece make their return for Crusader's.
