Breaking a five-game losing streak in DHL Super Rugby Pacific will be the goal for Moana Pasifika in the opening game of round seven at Albany.
Coach Tana Umaga has made six changes to his side, which has only beaten the Highlanders once in six outings.
Props Abraham Pole and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, lock Veikoso Poloniati and No8 Dominic Ropeti will start in the pack while first five-eighths Jackson Garden-Bachop and wing Solomon Alaimolo start in the backline.
Tongan Test prop Paula Latu, 30, will make his debut from the bench and having played much of his NPC rugby for Southland since 2021, he will be familiar with many of his opponents. Latu was a member of Tonga’s 2023 Rugby World Cup side.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph will look to Argentine lock Tomas Lavanini to lift his side’s lineout performance and for flanker Veveni Lasaqa to up their competitiveness in the loose.
Last week’s loss to the Hurricanes was difficult to accept because of the indifferent performance the side put in, especially in their lineouts.
“It hurt the players, hurt the coaches. The most important thing now is getting things right as well as we can.”
The lineout problems were not down to one player, and he said hooker Jack Taylor has been playing outstanding rugby.
“It’s not the hooker. The lineout is made up of eight people, so eight people are accountable, not just the hooker. Sometimes it’s the lifter, sometimes it’s a jumper. Sometimes there’s a mix up with the calling.”
But they will start without co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, halfback Folau Fakatava and flanker Sean Withy.
In a significant change, Southland halfback Nic Shearer will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Joseph said, “Nic has shown good form in the development team games and played with some spark that we want him to bring to our game. I’m sure he will adapt well to Super Rugby.”
Fakatava had been under a lot of pressure, and Joseph felt a break would be good for him.
Hurricanes assistant coach Jamie Mackintosh said the side was looking forward to a return to Hnry Stadium to play the Reds after four weeks on the road, including a home game in Napier.
“We’re really happy with the performance [against the Highlanders at the weekend]. There are some good little areas we can work on and improve.
“We know it is going to be a big clash against the Reds. They’re on the same win record as us.
“We’ve put a lot of effort and intent into this first block [of games], and we had some goals. They were to set up the week to do things well, be fast in our breakdown and fasten the skill sets and execute under pressure.
“As you can see, when we have momentum with the ball in hand, we’re a pretty exciting team, and we’re still going and working out our processes and how to create momentum without the ball.”
After disappointments in the first half of their game against the Force, they recovered and aim to be more relentless among the pack.
The set piece had not gone their way due to some frustrating refereeing calls, but they held their nerve, achieved their relentlessness and put the Highlanders away, which was a good sign.
“There’s a lot more depth through the Australian squads, they have longer preseasons and they’re well organized. They have a good set piece and a lot of Wallabies in their pack. Their loose forwards are skilled and good over the ball. We’re under no illusions it’s going to be a physical game.”
Loose forward Peter Lakai said after their disappointments against the Force, it was good to put a good performance together in Dunedin. It was a boost for the side’s confidence, and especially some of the challenges they have faced over the ball.
That allowed quality ball for halfback Cam Roigard and first five-eighths Ruben Love to set the attack running, with second five-eighths Jordie Barrett contributing as well.
“Seeing them put the ball in the hands of players like Fehi Fineanganofo and our outsides to give us good front foot ball was pleasing for the forward pack, especially coming up out of a scrum.
“Fehi’s been in unreal form. He put in the work during pre-season, got his opportunities and he’s taking them with both hands.”
With the Reds’ big pack’s mobility, and their international players Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, it will be a challenge for the home team.
All Blacks lock Sam Darry has been handed the Blues captaincy for Saturday’s game with the Drua at Eden Park. The game will be the first between the sides for the Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy, introduced in honour of the wing who played for Fiji and the Blues.
The concussion suffered by fullback Zarn Sullivan has led to Payton Spencer being named to start at fullback.
Usual captain Dalton Papali’i has suffered a back injury. His place on the openside flank has been taken by Anton Segner, while Torian Barnes will start on the blindside. Taufa Funaki will start at halfback with Pita Ahki at second five-eighths and AJ Lam at centre.
Cole Forbes will start on the right wing with Codemeru Vai on the bench.
Coach Vern Cotter said, “It’s a chance for others to make the most of their opportunity.
“The Drua are a dangerous side when you give them space. They play with a lot of flair and confidence, so for us it’s about being accurate, controlling the tempo and making good decisions under pressure.”
Positional changes in Perth for their game with the Force will add to the Chiefs' pressure as they attempt to rebound from their last-minute loss to the Brumbies last week.
All Blacks wing Leroy Carter will start at centre, while Emoni Narawa returns on the wing with Damian McKenzie starting at fullback with Josh Jacomb to play first five-eighths.
Halfback Xavier Roe has been given a start this week ahead of Cortez Ratima, while in the forwards, All Blacks hooker Brodie McAlister has his first game after recovering from a broken hand and lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi will start in place of the injured Tupou Vaa’i. Luke Jacobson will play on the openside flank, Simon Parker at No8 and Samipeni Finau will play on the blindside.
Coach Jono Gibbes said many of the changes were down to injuries.
“This is still a very experienced and strong side that reflects the squad’s depth.
“We don’t take the Force lightly, especially on their home patch and after the loss to the Brumbies last week, it’s important we get the little things right on Saturday.”
The Chiefs have an unbroken run of eight wins over the Force, including in five away games.