Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific is a crucial weekend with finals implications across the board.
The action kicks off in Wellington on Friday night as the second-placed Hurricanes host ninth-placed Moana Pasifika before the Melbourne Rebels face a tough test against the fourth-placed Chiefs at AAMI Park.
Saturday’s matches see the fifth-placed Reds make the tricky trip to Suva to face the eighth-placed Fijian Drua, while the third-placed Brumbies will look to cement a home semifinal when they host the struggling Crusaders in Canberra.
The ladder-leading Blues will start warm favourites when they welcome the seventh-placed Highlanders to Eden Park before the Western Force and NSW Waratahs round out the weekend in a high-stakes clash in Perth. Here’s how each match shapes up.
Hurricanes vs. Moana Pasifika
The Hurricanes have made wholesale changes for their clash with Moana Pasifika, resting All Blacks Jordie Barrett, TJ Perenara, and Tyrel Lomax. Only Brad Shields, Justin Sangster, Bailyn Sullivan and Kini Naholo retain their starting spots from last week’s narrow loss to the Blues. Pouri Rakete-Stones, Raymond Tuputupu and Siale Lauaki form a new-look front row, while Du’Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders join Shields in the loose forwards—Aidan Morgan partners Richard Judd in the halves.
Moana Pasifika have also shuffled their pack, with Samiuela Moli starting at hooker and Sione Mafileo returning to tighthead prop. Former Hurricane Julian Savea will face his old side, starting at second-five in a midfield partnership with Henry Taefu. Jonathan Taumateine earns his first start of the season at halfback.
The Hurricanes are smarting from two losses in their last three matches but should still have too much quality, even with their changes. Moana Pasifika are coming off a heavy loss to the Chiefs and will be desperate to cause an upset to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Justin Sangster, Ben Grant, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Richard Judd, Aidan Morgan, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Referee: James Doleman
Rebels vs. Chiefs
The Rebels welcome back Wallabies Brad Wilkin and Pone Fa’amausili as they look to spring an upset against the in-form Chiefs. Wilkin slots into the back row alongside Josh Kemeny and Vaiolini Ekuasi, while Fa’amausili is named on the bench after playing for the Waratahs last week on loan. Sam Talakai captains the side from tighthead prop in the absence of injured Wallaby Taniela Tupou, while Carter Gordon and Ryan Louwrens continue their halfback partnership.
The Chiefs have named a star-studded lineup, with All Blacks Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Samisoni Taukei’aho and captain Luke Jacobson all returning. The visitors have won four in a row to surge into the top four and will be confident of extending their strong record against the Rebels.
With uncertainty clouding their future, the Rebels will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about in what could be their last match at home. However, the Chiefs’ form and class should see them come away with the points.
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Glen Vaihu
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Referee: Nic Berry
Fijian Drua vs. Reds
The Drua have made just one change to their starting side for this crucial clash, with Etonia Waqa replacing Vilive Miramira as blindside flanker. Exciting young midfielder Ilaisa Droasese retains the No. 12 jersey after a try-scoring debut last week. The Drua will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Force and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Reds have shuffled their pack, with Josh Nasser and Zane Nonggorr joining Peni Ravai in the front row, while Cormac Daly starts at lock alongside Ryan Smith. Seru Uru returns from injury via the bench. In the backs, Floyd Aubrey makes his first start on the wing, while Taj Annan comes in at outside centre for the rested Josh Flook. Co-captains Tate McDermott and Liam Wright lead the side.
The Reds have won three straight to move into fifth but face a tough assignment against a Drua side that have won three of their four home games this season. The Fijians will be stinging from last week’s heavy loss and desperate to keep their finals hopes alive. In what shapes as the match of the round, the Drua’s home record and the hot conditions could tip the scales in their favour.
DRUA (1-15): Jone Koroiduadua, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Waqa Nalaga, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Cormac Daly, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey, Hunter Paisami, Taj Annan, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: George Blake, Sef Fa’agase, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Tim Ryan
Referee: Angus Gardner
Brumbies vs. Crusaders
The Brumbies have welcomed back Wallabies James Slipper and Noah Lolesio for this clash, with Slipper joining Connal McInerney and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row. Cadeyrn Neville returns to partner Darcy Swain in the second row, with Nick Frost shifting to blindside flanker. Jahrome Brown joins Rob Valetini in the back row. Lolesio combines with Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
The Crusaders have received a boost with the return of All Blacks Codie Taylor and Fergus Burke. Taylor will captain the side from hooker in his first match of the year, while Burke slots in at flyhalf for his first appearance of the season. Antonio Shalfoon replaces the injured Scott Barrett at lock, while Tom Christie starts at openside flanker.
The Brumbies have quietly gone about their business this season and are building nicely towards the finals. They are undefeated in their last seven matches in Canberra and will fancy their chances against a Crusaders side that have struggled away from home. The Crusaders’ title hopes are hanging by a thread, but the return of key players gives them a glimmer of hope. However, the Brumbies should have too much firepower at home.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Jone Rova, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Blues vs. Highlanders
The table-topping Blues have made several changes for this clash, resting All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele’a. AJ Lam shifts to centre to cover for the concussed Rieko Ioane, with Bryce Heem starting at second-five. Zarn Sullivan returns at fullback, while Adrian Choat and Akira Ioane join skipper Dalton Papali’i in the loose forwards. Stephen Perofeta is set to make his return from injury off the bench.
The Highlanders are unchanged from the side that stunned the Crusaders last week, with Ethan de Groot again captaining the side in the absence of the injured Billy Harmon. The Highlanders are in good form with three wins on the trot but face a huge task to knock off the competition favourites at Eden Park.
The Blues juggernaut rolled on last week with a crucial win over the Hurricanes that saw them leapfrog their rivals into top spot on the ladder. While they have made changes, they will still field a formidable side at home, where they haven’t lost in their last ten matches. The Highlanders will take confidence from their recent form, but the Blues should prove too strong.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i (c), Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Kade Banks
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma’u, Will Tucker, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
Referee: Paul Williams
Western Force vs. Waratahs
Embed from Getty Images
The Force have named a settled side following their impressive bonus-point win over the Drua, with Harry Hoopert replacing Marley Pearce at loosehead prop in the only change. Argentinian international Santiago Medrano continues at tighthead while Jeremy Williams leads the side from lock. Wallabies Nic White and Izack Rodda will be key figures in the Force’s push for a finals berth.
The Waratahs have turned to Argentine prop Enrique Pieretto to solve their front-row crisis, with the Glasgow Warriors loanee set to make his debut at tighthead. Pieretto joins Jay Fonokalafi and Lewis Ponini in a new-look front row. Langi Gleeson and Izaia Perese return via the bench in two other changes to the side that lost narrowly to the Brumbies.
Both sides come into this match knowing that a loss will all but end their playoff hopes. The Force will take confidence from their 38-10 win over the Waratahs when they met in Round 5, and they will again look to target the visitors’ makeshift scrum. The Waratahs have lost six of their last seven and are battling an injury crisis, but they showed encouraging signs in a tight loss to the Brumbies. The Force should have the edge at home but expect the Waratahs to fight tooth and nail to keep their season alive.
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Henry O’Donnell
WARATAHS (1-15): Lewis Ponini, Jay Fonokalafi, Enrique Peiretto, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, George Thorton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese’
International3 weeks ago
International2 weeks ago
International3 weeks ago
International2 weeks ago
International1 week ago
International2 weeks ago
International2 weeks ago