DHL Super Rugby Pacific: Round 5 Teams

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It begins in Palmerston North as the top of the table Hurricanes host the Melbourne Rebels.

The ACT Brumbies will return to Canberra to face Moana Pasifika whilst the NSW Waratahs will make their maiden trip to Fiji to face the Drua.

The Chiefs take on the Highlanders in Hamilton, with the Blues-Crusaders headlining the round before the Western Force take on the Queensland Reds in Perth.

Super.Rugby is your home of all the team list news in 2024, with every team set to be published at 2pm AEDT/4pm NZDT.

ROUND FIVE TEAMS

*All times local

HURRICANES V MELBOURNE REBELS

Friday 22 March: Central Energy Arena, Palmerston North (19:05)

HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, James O'Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Ngane Punivai, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey

RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Josh Moorby

REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Lukas Ripley, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway

RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Mason Gordon, Nick Jooste

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle

Key match-up: If the Rebels are going to have any chance of upsetting the Hurricanes then they need their big name players to standup. None are bigger than world class fullback Andrew Kellaway who jousts with Hurricanes youngster Harry Godfrey in the 15 jersey.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Hurricanes by 22

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.

ACT BRUMBIES V MOANA PASIFIKA

Friday 22 March: GIO Stadium, Canberra (19:35)

BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain (c), Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith

PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Ola Tauelangi, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau, D'Angelo Leuila, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala

RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Fine Inisi

Referee: Jordan Way

Assistant Referee: Reuben Keane, Jeremy Marky

Key match-up: Former Brumbies flyer Nigel Ah Wong has a huge challenge on his hands against his old team. He squares off against Brumbies speedster Corey Toole who has lit up the competition with his scintillating pace.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: ACT Brumbies by 14

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.

FIJIAN DRUA V NSW WARATAHS

Saturday 23 March: Churchill Park, Lautoka (13:05)

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Epeli Momo

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen

RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Triston Reilly

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referee: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon

Key match-up: Although both teams like to attack, the winning team will be the one who gains ascendency up front. Waratahs veteran Harry Johnson-Holmes and Drua powerhouse Haereiti Hetet will have a big say in that upfront.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Fijian Drua by 3

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.

CHIEFS V HIGHLANDERS

Saturday 23 March: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (16:35)

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson

RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Emoni Narawa

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ayden Johnstone, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c) Tom Sanders, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter

Key match-up: Two of New Zealand’s rising second row stars will lock horns when the Highlanders Pari Pari Parkinson and Chiefs Josh Lord square off.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Highlanders by 1

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.

BLUES V CRUSADERS

Saturday 23 March: Eden Park, Auckland (19:05)

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan

RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Joe Moody, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

Key match-up: The Crusaders tackle machine Tom Christie will need to be at the top of his game when he takes on Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i in the seven jersey.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Crusaders by 10

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.

WESTERN FORCE V QUEENSLAND REDS

Saturday 23 March: HBF Park, Perth (19:35)

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter

RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman

REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell

RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referee: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski

Key match-up: Chase Tiatia has been one of the Force’s best this year and will need to be at his best again when he faces Reds flyer Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing.

NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Western Force by 3.

Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.