Friday
Highlanders v ACT Brumbies
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (7:05 pm)
Watch on Sky Sport or Stan Sport
Reinvigorated by returning players and playing at home, the Highlanders are looking to break the Brumbies' five-game winning streak against them.
Five-eighths Cameron Millar and Timoci Tavatavanawai will start, the first time Millar has been paired with halfback Nic Shearer, who had an outstanding debut in their last game.
No8 Nikora Broughton will start. Taine Robinson will have his first game of the season at fullback after the injury suffered by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Lock Mitch Dunshea starts after recovering from a calf injury, while tighthead prop Saula Ma’u will come off the bench for his first game since early in last year’s NPC.
Coach Jamie Joseph knows the depth of challenge the Highlanders face.
“The Brumbies are a class outfit and will test us across the field. We’re happy to be back home and to have a few of our starters returning. These middle-round games are important for every team, and we’re looking forward to the contest.”
Returning players will also boost the Brumbies. Having their first games of the season will be prop Allan Alaalatoa and substitute hooker Lachlan Lonergan, who have recovered from respective back and knee injuries.
Coach Stephen Larkham said they made use of the bye week to ensure Alaalatoa had some extra time to be ready.
“He was itching to get out there before the bye, but we held him back a little. He’s one of those guys, a little bit like James Slipper, and some of the other senior players, who want to be part of the team every week. He learned some lessons of where his body is at and how to manage a longer season.”
Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan will play his 100th Super Rugby game while hooker Billy Pollard will play his 50th.
The Brumbies have won their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches against New Zealand opposition, something they haven’t achieved since 2005.
HIGHLANDERS: 1.Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2.Jack Taylor, 3.Angus Ta'avao, 4.Oliver Haig, 5.Mitch Dunshea, 6.Te Kemaka Howden, 7.Veveni Lasaqa, 8.Nikora Broughton, 9.Nic Shearer, 10.Cameron Millar, 11.Jona Nareki, 12.Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13.Jonah Lowe, 14.Caleb Tangitau, 15.Taine Robinson
Replacements: 16.Henry Bell, 17.Josh Bartlett, 18.Saula Ma'u, 19.Hugh Renton, 20.Sean Withy, 21.Adam Lennox, 22.Reesjan Pasitoa, 23.Taniela Tele'a
BRUMBIES: 1.James Slipper, 2.Billy Pollard, 3.Allan Alaalatoa, 4.Nick Frost, 5.Lachlan Shaw, 6.Rob Valetini, 7.Rory Scott, 8.Charlie Cale, 9.Ryan Lonergan (c), 10.Declan Meredith, 11.Corey Toole, 12.David Feliuai, 13.Kadin Pritchard, 14.Ollie Sapsford, 15.Andy Muirhead.
Replacements: 16.Lachlan Lonergan, 17.Blake Schoupp, 18.Darcy Breen, 19.Toby MacPherson, 20.Luke Reimer, 21.Klayton Thorn, 22.Tane Edmed, 23.Hudson Creighton.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Saturday
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua (2:05 pm)
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Rotorua has been off the Super Rugby schedule for eight years, but Moana Pasifika has chosen to host the Chiefs there as they look to create an upset in the Chiefs’ region.
Lock Jimmy Tupou, a former Chief, will make his Moana Pasifika debut from the bench, along with loose forward Semisi Paea, a former Rotorua Boys’ High School player who has played for the Bay of Plenty Steamers since 2021.
“There is no greater feeling than hearing your name get called in the squad to play in the city that raised you. This is a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to representing my family and this franchise in my hometown.
Prop Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 23, and a former NZ Under-20 player, will have his first start.
Chiefs first five-eighths Damian McKenzie returns to lead the backline against Moana Pasifika in Rotorua.
Coach Jono Gibbes has taken the chance to give hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho a break, while captain Luke Jacobson will come off the bench. Tyrone Thompson will start at hooker, and Simon Parker will be at No8 as lock Tupou Vaa’i captains the side.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, a Rotorua Boys’ High School old boy, will come off the bench at halfback. He said that while the game is a ‘home’ game for Moana Pasifika, Rotorua is a rugby town where the local fans will be keen to see the players up close.
Gibbes said, “It is good for us to play there and we are treating it as a home game.”
Wing Kyren Taumoefolau will run out against his old team for the first time on the back of some good form, having scored two tries in their last game against the Waratahs and making seven line breaks in his last three games.
Reon Paul, a nephew of former All Black halfback TJ Perenara, is set to make his debut off the bench.
MOANA PASIFIKA: 1.Malaki Hala-Ngatai, 2.Millenium Sanerivi, 3.Paula Latu, 4.Tom Savage, 5.Veikoso Poloniati, 6.Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7.Niko Jones, 8.Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9.Augustine Pulu, 10.Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11.Glen Vaihu, 12.Lalomilo Lalomilo, 13.Tevita Latu, 14.Solomon Alaimalo, 15.William Havili.
Replacements: 16.Samiuela Moli, 17.Abraham Pole, 18.Atu Moli, 19.Jimmy Tupou, 20.Semisi Paea, 21.Melani Matavao, 22.Patrick Pellegrini, 23.Tyler Pulini.
CHIEFS: 1.Ollie Norris, 2.Tyrone Thompson, 3.Reuben O'Neill, 4.Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5.Tupou Vaa'i (c), 6.Samipeni Finau, 7.Jahrome Brown, 8.Simon Parker, 9.Cortez Ratima, 10.Damian McKenzie, 11.Kyren Taumoefolau, 12.Quinn Tupaea, 13.Kyle Brown, 14.Leroy Carter, 15.Liam Coombes-Fabling
Replacements: 16.Brodie McAlister, 17.Jared Proffit, 18.Sione Ahio, 19.Fiti Sa, 20.Luke Jacobson, 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22.Josh Jacomb, 23.Reon Paul.
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
Fijian Drua v Western Force
Churchill Park, Lautoka (4:35 pm)
Watch on Sky Sport or Stan Sport
Having already been exposed to Tropical Cyclone Vaianu in Lautoka, the Drua are looking to stem the confidence Force.
Coach Glen Jackson said the weather had disrupted their preparation, but it could be a boost.
“They’re [the Drua] going to be fresh. That’s one thing because we haven’t been able to train, so in terms of working on, we’ve had a couple of indoor sessions around what we’re after."
However, the side have lost wings Ponipate Loganimasi and Epeli Momo and co-captains Frank Lomani and Temo Mayanavanua.
Isikeli Basiyalo will debut on the right wing, while at halfback, Simione Kuruvoli will have his first game of the season after recovering from injury.
Force fullback Mac Grealy said the team is looking forward to Zac Lomax making his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
“It’s exciting for all of us. He’s looking sharp and has put himself in the mix. He’s put in the work since he’s come in.”
Lomax was supposed to debut last week, but hamstring tightness delayed it.
Captain and lock Jeremy Williams has passed HIA protocols and will start, a boost in the absence of Darcy Swain, who is ill. Prop Sef Fa’agase will start for Tom Robertson who has HIA protocols to complete.
George Bridge has moved to the wing and Hamish Stewart will start at centre.
DRUA: 1.Haereiti Hetet,2.Zuriel Togiatama, 3.Mesake Doge, 4.Isoa Nasilasila (co-c), 5.Joseva Tamani, 6.Etonia Waqa, 7.Motikiai Murray, 8.Elia Canakaivata, 9.Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10.Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11.Ilaisa Droasese, 12.Iosefo Namoce, 13.Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (co-c), 14.Isikeli Basiyalo, 15.Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: 16.Mesulame Dolokoto, 17.Emosi Tuqiri, 18.Samuela Tawake, 19.Mesake Vocevoce, 20.Kitione Salawa, 21.Vilive Miramira, 22.Simione Kuruvoli, 23.Manasa Mataele
FORCE: 1.Sef Fa'agase, 2.Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3.Misinale Epenisa, 4.Franco Molina, 5.Jeremy Williams (c), 6.Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7.Jack Daly, 8.Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9.Henry Robertson, 10.Ben Donaldson, 11.Dylan Pietsch, 12.Bayley Kuenzle, 13.Hamish Stewart, 14.George Bridge, 15.Mac Grealy
Replacements: 16.Nic Dolly, 17.Marley Pearce, 18.Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19.Lopeti Faifua, 20.Will Harris, 21.Agustin Moyano, 22.Kurtley Beale, 23.Zac Lomax.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
Hurricanes v Blues
Hnry Stadium, Wellington (7:05 pm)
Watch on Sky Sport or Stan Sport
Hurricanes' first five-eighths Ruben Love said the weekend’s top-of-the-table game with the Blues is the start of a season-defining month for the side.
Games follow against the Chiefs (away), the Brumbies (home) and the Crusaders (home).
“We’ve got to make sure we take it week by week. It is easy to get ahead of yourself and think of the challenge, but we had a good connection around it yesterday. Whoever’s in front of us, we just want to put our best foot forward and make sure we’re not rushing through anything.
“The Blues are a well-rounded team, they keep the ball in hand. They’re similar to us, they defend well in their 22 and once they get into the 22, they are hard to stop. We have to think about getting out of our 22 with clean exits while making sure we’re not always on the back foot. And we have got to be clean around the breakdown, not give them easy entries into the 22 through penalties.”
The Hurricanes' side has few changes from the one that beat the Reds in their last outing. Pasilio Tosi returns at tighthead prop while Callum Harkin comes back at fullback with Josh Moorby moving to the wing.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “We’re well aware of the challenge the Blues are going to come with, so we’re going to have to play our best rugby of the year to get the result. We’re refreshed and re-energised from the bye, so we’re looking forward to playing at home against a top side in the Blues. It’s a good challenge at this time of the year to get into another kiwi derby.”
Blues coach Vern Cotter echoed Laidlaw’s comments with the No.1 spot being on the line.
“That’s exactly the sort of challenge we want at this stage of the season. The Hurricanes are playing very good rugby, so we need to make sure we are at our best for 80 minutes. It should be a high-quality contest.
“Coming off a bye, the focus has been on reconnecting, sharpening our detail and making sure we’re ready for a big performance.”
Finlay Christie returns to start at halfback, while Xavi Taele will start at second five-eighths with Pita Ahki coming off the bench. Zarn Sullivan will start at fullback, with Codemeru Vai set to face the Hurricanes' high try-scoring wing Fehi Fineanganofo.
HURRICANES: 1.Xavier Numia, 2.Asafo Aumua, 3.Pasilio Tosi, 4.Caleb Delany, 5.Warner Dearns, 6.Devan Flanders, 7.Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 8.Peter Lakai, 9.Cam Roigard, 10.Ruben Love, 11.Fehi Fineanganofo, 12.Jordie Barrett (co-c), 13.Billy Proctor, 14.Josh Moorby, 15.Callum Harkin.
Replacements: 16.Raymond Tuputupu, 17.Siale Laukai, 18.Tevita Mafileo, 19.Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20.Brad Shields, 21.Brayden Iose, 22.Ereatara Enari, 23.Jone Rova.
BLUES. 1.Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2.Bradley Slater, 3.Marcel Renata, 4.Josh Beehre, 5.Sam Darry (c), 6.Che Clark, 7.Anton Segner, 8.Malachi Wrampling, 9.Finlay Christie, 10.Beauden Barrett, 11.Caleb Clarke, 12.Xavi Taele, 13.AJ Lam, 14.Codemeru Vai, 15.Zarn Sullivan.
Replacements: 16.James Mullan, 17.Mason Tupaea, 18.Sam Matenga, 19.Tristyn Cook, 20.Torian Barnes, 21.Taufa Funaki, 22.Pita Ahki, 23.Payton Spencer.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Queensland Reds v Crusaders
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (9:35 pm)
Watch on Sky Sport or Stan Sport
The Reds will look to stem their double run of losses when taking on the Crusaders in Brisbane.
Losses to the Hurricanes and Force saw the Reds concede 94 points across the two games to break their four-game winning streak.
They will still be without first five-eighths Tom Lynagh due to illness and Carter Godon will start with Matt Faessler and Tim Ryan coming in at hooker and wing respectively, as a result of concussions suffered by Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard.
Coach Les Kiss said, “We are playing one of the form teams. Super Rugby Pacific does not relent. It is a fantastic competition and we meet a big challenge this week.”
Centre Josh Flook said that after their two recent losses there had been a lot of soul searching.
“It’s been looking at what we can do better, and putting that together for an 80-minute performance. They are an electric team. This weekend has got to be a 15-man performance from us.”
Wing Filipo Daugunu will play his 100th Super Rugby game.
The Crusaders will be without All Black Will Jordan who has suffered a calf injury that has prevented him from running, but Johnny McNicholl has recovered from an injury and will take his place.
Coach Rob Penney said McNicholl was an asset.
“He’s very experienced, has played international rugby and has a massive amount of competitiveness. He wants to win. His speed is a great asset and he’s a proud rugby player.”
Also missing is All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor who has a hamstring issue.
Like the Hurricanes, the Crusaders have key games in the coming weeks against the Force (Perth), the Waratahs (home) and the Hurricanes (away).
“We’ve got a good plan over the next month. We have got to get some results and we’ll be finishing strongly, hopefully.”
Penney said captain and second five-eighths David Havili was in good shape after recovering from injury.
“It’s great to have him back. He’s a triple threat. His playing ability we know about, he’s tough and he’s skilful.”
REDS: 1.Aidan Ross, 2.Matt Faessler, 3.Nick Bloomfield, 4.Seru Uru, 5.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6.Joe Brial, 7.Fraser McReight (c), 8.Harry Wilson, 9.Kalani Thomas, 10.Carter Gordon, 11.Tim Ryan, 12.Hunter Paisami, 13.Josh Flook, 14.Filipo Daugunu, 15.Jock Campbell.
Replacements: 16.Richie Asiata, 17.Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18.Zane Nonggorr, 19.Hamish Muller, 20.Vaiuta Latu, 21.Louis Werchon, 22.Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23.Isaac Henry.
CRUSADERS: 1.George Bower, 2.George Bell, 3.Fletcher Newell, 4.Antonio Shalfoon, 5.Jamie Hannah, 6.Dom Gardiner, 7.Corey Kellow, 8.Christian Lio-Willie, 9.Noah Hotham, 10.Taha Kemara, 11.Sevu Reece, 12.David Havili (c), 13.Leicester Fainga'anuku, 14.Chay Fihaki, 15.Johnny McNicholl.
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Johnny Lee, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Aaron Paterson