Super Rugby Pacific: Teams announced for round four

Stuff

14 March 2023

Super Rugby Pacific: Teams announced for round four

The Blues and Crusaders headline this weekend’s action when they do battle at Eden Park on Saturday night in a repeat of last year’s decider.

That June night of course saw the hosts fall at their final hurdle in a 21-7 defeat which had the red and blacks take out a sixth-straight crown.

The defending champions go into this one, however, with a bulging casualty ward and in unchartered territory at 1-2 for the season, coming off that loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka last weekend.

Scott Robertson’s side will be desperate, but Leon MacDonald’s men will be equally fired-up for this one, in what is their first outing at home for the year.

Elsewhere, it’s trans-Tasman matchups for the other four New Zealand-based clubs, as the Chiefs look to maintain their winning start to the season, the Hurricanes aim to rebound from their first loss, and Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders shoot for their first victories.

Hurricanes v Waratahs

Friday, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

The Hurricanes have welcomed back captain Ardie Savea for Friday’s clash with the Waratahs as they seek an immediate bounce-back following their first defeat of the season.

The return of All Black star Savea is one of only three alterations to the starting 15, coach Jason Holland resisting temptation to make wholesale changes after the Hurricanes were unable to recover from a poor start and fell 25-19 to the Blues last weekend.

After serving his one-match suspension, Savea slots straight back in at No 8. He joins Devan Flanders and Du’Plessis Kirifi as the starting loose forward trio, with Brayden Iose proving the impact off the bench.

Rising star Peter Lakai, who deputised at No 8 last weekend, has dropped out of the match-day 23 altogether.

Strong performances off the bench have earned powerhouse hooker Asafo Aumua a start in the front row alongside Xavier Numua and Tyrel Lomax, with veteran Dane Coles, who skippered the team last week, to enter the game via the bench.

In the only change to the backline, former Chiefs and Crusaders speedster Kini Naholo has been named to make his debut on the left wing. The younger brother of former All Black Waisake Naholo replaces Salesi Rayasi, who has scored tries in his past two matches.

After debuting against the Blues, Brett Cameron has retained his starting spot at first-five.

After an injury disrupted start to life at the Hurricanes, former All Blacks lock Dom Bird is poised to make his long-awaited club debut after being included on the bench for the first time this season.

Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Isaia-Walker Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numua. Reserves: Dane Coles, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Dominic Bird, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Aidan Morgan, Bailyn Sullivan.

Chiefs v Rebels

Saturday, 4.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

The Chiefs have lost four All Blacks for Saturday’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels because of the national side’s rest protocols in a Rugby World Cup season.

Co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber, star playmaker Damian McKenzie and lock Brodie Retallick will all miss the fourth round of Super Rugby Pacific when the Chiefs host the Rebels in Hamilton.

With that quartet unavailable, the Chiefs have made seven personnel changes to last weekend’s starting line-up.

McKenzie is replaced by Bryn Gatland at first five-eighth and Cortez Ratima is promoted to start at halfback as Weber drops out.

Luke Jacobson will skipper the competition leaders instead, a role he’s held before in Cane and Weber’s absence, and takes Cane’s spot at openside flanker.

Manaaki Selby-Rickit will make his Chiefs debut at lock after joining from the Highlanders and is straight into their starting XV, replacing Retallick.He partners Naitoa Ah Kuoi in the second row and Sampeni Finau will start in the back row with Jacobson and Pita Gus Sowakula at No 8.

Tyrone Thomspon starts for the first time ahead of All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who is named on the bench, with Aidan Ross and John Ryan retained as the starting props.

Halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has been named on the bench, too, and he could make his first appearance for the Chiefs since 2021 after joining this year’s squad as an injury replacement for Xavier Roe.

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Cortez Ratima; Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, John Ryan, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Laghlan McWhannell, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Ioane, Peniasi Malamali.

Blues v Crusaders

Saturday, 7.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland

The Blues have handed the rugged and mobile Adrian Choat a crack at blindside flanker in Saturday’s final rematch against the Crusaders at Eden Park.

With Akira Ioane out for another month or so with a knee injury and Tom Robinson moved into the second row (bench duty this week) to cover for the absence of Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry, who both also have knee problems, coach Leon MacDonald has gone for twin No 7s in the form of skipper Dalton Papalii and Choat on the side of his scrum.

He’s also brought former All Black Alex Hodgman in to start at loosehead prop and called up James Tucker to partner Cameron Suafoa in the second row, with Robinson set to slot in off the bench on Saturday.

The backline features just one change from the side that held on for a 25-19 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington last Saturday to improve to 2-1 for the season. All Black Mark Telea returns after a week off on the right wing to complete an all-international unit.

The bench features hooker Soane Vikena, prop Jordan Lay, loosie Taine Plumtree and utility back Zarn Sullivan all set to make their first appearances for 2023.

”It was a bruising encounter against the Hurricanes with a few sore bodies around Blues HQ at the start of the week,” said MacDonald.

“Motivation for this match wasn’t an issue; I know the boys still hurt from the final last year and want to put in a strong performance against a Crusaders side who we know will be hungry and determined.”

Papalii said the Blues were determined to mark their first home game of the season with a strong performance.

“Home games are where you can defend your turf and make it a fortress. We’re aiming to do just that against the Crusaders,” he said.

Saturday’s match is the first meeting between the two teams since last year’s final where the Crusaders stunned the Blues 21-7 on Eden Park to snap their 15-match win streak, and grab a sixth consecutive title.

Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Adrian Choat, Cameron Suafoa, James Tucker, James Lay, Ricky Riccitelli, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.

The Crusaders will be without vice-captain David Havili (shoulder) for their crunch match against the Blues, but a bevy of rested All Blacks have returned for the heavyweight showdown.

Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody are all back in the starting side after a week off, while halfback Mitchell Drummond and hooker Brodie McAlister also return to the 23.

With Havili joining fellow All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue (groin) on the sideline for at least a few weeks, head coach Scott Robertson has named Dallas McLeod to start alongside centre Braydon Ennor.

Plagued by a rotten run of injuries – the Crusaders are without eight key players – that leaves Fainga'anuku and Sevu Reece covering the midfield, while All Blacks loosehead prop George Bower will cover tighthead in the aftermath of losing Fletcher Newell (foot) for the season.

Wellington wing Pepesana Patafilo, having recovered from an ankle injury suffered during pre-season, is set for his Crusaders debut off the bench.

Crusaders: Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, George Bower, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Pepesana Patafilo, Macca Springer.

Brumbies v Moana Pasifika

Saturday, 9.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Moana Pasifika captain Christian Lealiifano, who will start against his former team in Canberra on Saturday night.

The first five-eighth played 13 seasons for the Brumbies, who he amassed a whopping 150 games for between 2007 and 2019.

While Moana Pasifika beat an under-strength Brumbies team in their final match of last season, this week’s round four clash shapes as a daunting one against one of just two undefeated teams in the competition.

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Fine Inisi, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Tomoci Tavatavanawai, Christian Lealiifano (c), Ere Enari, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Failagi, Mike McKee, Potu Leavasa, Suetena Asomua, Ray Niuia, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Alex McRobbie, Solomone Funaki, Manu Paea, Henry Taefu, Anzelo Tuitavuki.