DHL Super Rugby Pacific has a shortened round for Easter Weekend, with only three games. However, they all carry some significant ramifications in terms of the table.
If the Crusaders can score a bonus point victory over the Fijian Drua, they will move up to third equal. The resurgent NSW Waratahs could do the same with an upset of the Chiefs in Hamilton, while the Queensland Reds could move into second with a win over the Western Force at home in Brisbane.
One player who is no stranger to Suncorp Stadium is former NRL and State of Origin star Zac Lomax, who has been named for a potential debut for the Force off the bench.
Here’s a look at the lineups and information for this weekend:
Crusaders v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 4 April (NZT)
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Watch on Stan Sport and Sky Sport NZ
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Johnny Lee, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Dom Gardiner, 21. Louie Chapman, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Braydon Ennor
Fijian Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Joseva Tamani, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Iosefo Namoce, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 14. Joji Nasova, 15. Ilaisa Droasese
Bench: 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Philip Baselala, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Isikeli Rabitu
This is very much a home team dominated rivalry, with the last five games split between whoever has home advantage. The Crusaders have won their last two games in Christchurch against the Drua by a combined score of 110-8.
Prop Jack Sexton has been named for a potential debut off the bench, he will be the latest in the second generation of Super Rugby players after his father Matt also represented the Crusaders from 1996-2001. Codie Taylor will start in his 150th game for the Crusaders and Christian Lio-Willie his 50th in what will be the last Super Rugby Pacific match at Apollo Projects Stadium.
“There’ll be a lot of reflection,” said Crusaders coach Rob Penney about the side’s home for the previous 14 seasons.
“People in their own way will pay their respects to the old girl…the best thing we can do is honour the fans by playing well. It’s the end of an era with this stadium.”
Chiefs v NSW Waratahs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 April (NZT)
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Watch on Stan Sport and Sky Sport NZ
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Reuben O’Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Kaylum Boshier, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Leroy Carter, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. George Dyer, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Kyle Brown, 23. Daniel Sinkinson
NSW Waratahs: 1. Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Daniel Botha, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Clem Halaholo, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Triston Reilly, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Sid Harvey
Bench: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Jack Barrett, 18. Siosifa Amone, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Jamie Adamson, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Jack Bowen, 23. George Poolman
The Chiefs are missing Damian McKenzie, who is on a concussion standdown. The All Black joins a growing injury list, but coach Jono Gibbes was confident in his squad.
“We have a few out injured, which is normal in this tough competition, but the quality of the side we’re able to field shows the depth we have throughout the squad and our wider training group,” he said.
The Waratahs haven’t had much luck in New Zealand lately, losing their last 10 games over the ditch since 2022. However, they win 21-14 last year in Sydney, something that Waratahs coach Dan McKellar hopes will inspire his side.
“We’re under no illusions of how big the challenge is heading to New Zealand to face the Chiefs on their own patch. However, we’ve got a clear plan on how we want to execute on the day and beat this team last year.”
Jack Debreczeni will play against his former team, as he starts at flyhalf for the Waratahs.
Queensland Reds v Western Force
Kick-off: 7:35pm Saturday 5 April (AEST)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Watch on Stan Sport and Sky Sport NZ
Queensland Reds: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Nick Bloomfield, 4. Seru Uru, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Treyvon Pritchard, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Hamish Muller, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Louis Werchon, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Tim Ryan
Western Force: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Misinale Epenisa, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Jack Daly, 8. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Darby Lancaster, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. George Bridge, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Mac Grealy
Bench: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19. Lopeti Faifua, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Kurtley Beale, 23. Zac Lomax
The Reds have won their last nine out of 11 games against the Force, they also just need a try to reach 10,000 points in their 30 year history of Super Rugby. However, the Force’s Ben Donaldson currently leads the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting with 27, four ahead of Waratahs wing Max Jorgensen.
The Force have suffered a blow with skipper Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano unavailable. Nick Champion de Crespigny will lead the side, with Jack Daly replacing Tizzano on the openside flank.
Meanwhile, Carter Gordon returns at flyhalf for the Reds, as Les Kiss’s side looks to bounce back from their heavy defeat last weekend to the Hurricanes.
