The grand final rematch between Blues and Crusaders is the top clash of Super Rugby pacific Round four while the ACT Brumbies are looking to surge to a 4-0 record against Moana Pasifika.
The Waratahs head to New Zealand to kick off proceedings on Friday evening with several changes to their ranks.
The teams are being announced two days before game day this season and we’ll have the updates as soon as they’re named.
(All times AEDT)
Friday
Hurricanes vs Waratahs, 5.05pm
Darren Coleman has changed up his playmaking stocks with Ben Donaldson getting a first start of the season at No.10 and young gun Max Jorgensen getting his first start in the No.15 jersey having begun his Tahs career on the wing.
Tane Edmed goes to the bench as one of six changes to the starting XV.
Harry Johnson-Holmes has been named in the starting front row alongside Tom Lambert and Mahe Vailanu.
Both locks are missing from last week, with Hugh Sinclair ruled out for the next 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury and Jed Holloway on leave to be with his wife and the imminent arrival of their second child.
Ned Hanigan will play his first match of the 2023 season in the second row alongside Taleni Seu who secured a valuable bonus point for the Waratahs in Melbourne with his try after the siren.
Charlie Gamble, who re-signed with the team this week, returns to the starting backrow at blindside flanker with Michael Hooper and one of the form players in the competition, Langi Gleeson.
Test hooker Dave Porecki is ruled out with an infection.
Coleman said: “It’s exciting to have Harry Johnson-Holmes back in the starting team, he got through his minutes last week with no issues, which is a positive for our team.”
“We’ve had some forced changes in the second row which opens positions in the starting team for Ned Hanigan and Taleni Seu who has been dynamic for us off the bench.
“Swinton has played in the past three games as well as two trial matches, and to give him a break, he will be rotated out this week. Charlie Gamble will be starting at six and we’re expecting him to be fired up in his first start since round one.”
Jake Gordon partners Wallaby teammate Donaldson in the halves, while Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese again link up in the midfield.
“Max Jorgensen’s return enables us to look at a change at number ten,” Coleman said.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“We’re comfortable with Tane’s performances this season, he’s performed solidly, we’re just looking to see if Ben Donaldson in his more natural position at ten can add another dimension to our attack.”
Jorgensen has made a big impact since coming into the team and leads the competition in line breaks per carry. He has six linebreaks from 13 carries, making his success rate of one for every 2.2 carries the best in SRP this season.
Ardie Savea is straight back in for the Hurricanes after the captain’s suspnsion for his throat-slitting guesture against the Rebels.
Asafo Aumua returns to the run-on side at hooker, with last week’s captain, Dane Coles, back to the bench.
In the backs, Kini Naholo earns a debut on the wing.
“Kini has got himself into good shape and is looking sharp. He’s a big threat with ball in hand, and has earned this opportunity to start,” said coach Jason Holland.
Midfielder Bailyn Sulivan makes a return from injury off the bench while Hawke’s Bay lock Dominic Bird is set for a Hurricanes debut.
Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, Cameron Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Dominic Bird, Braydon Iose, Jamie Booth, Aidan Morgan, Bailyn Sulivan.
Waratahs (1-15):
Tom Lambert, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ned Hanigan, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Nemani Nadolo, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Sateki Latu, Daniel Botha, Lachlan Swinton, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Tane Edmed, Mosese Tuipulotu.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill.
Key facts: The Hurricanes have won their last five Super Rugby matches against the Tahs, the longest winning
run by either team in their head to head history.
The Hurricanes have won 29 turnovers so far this season, the most of any team in the competition. The Tahs lead the competition in execution of gain line carries, with a competition high 63 percent success rate. The Canes lead the head-to-head 15-10.
Saturday
Chiefs vs Rebels, 2.35pm
Chiefs (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Rebels (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Referee: Dan Waenga.
Key facts: The Chiefs have won eight of their nine games against the Rebels including the last five by an average margin of 20 points per game. The Rebels have won just once in their last seven isits to NZ and conceded an average of 48.2 points per game in the six losses. The Chiefs, who are 3-0 and top of the table, have won 21 of their past 25 games against Australian opposition.
Blues vs Crusaders, 5.05pm
Blues (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Crusaders (1-15): TBC
Referee: James Doleman.
Key facts: The Blues have won eight of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific games against teams from NZ including their last two on the bounce by a combined margin of 46 points. The only loss in that stretch was to the Crusaders in last year’s final.
TheBlueshavecarriedfor639metresmorethantheiroppositionthisSuperRugbyPacificseason,thehighestpositive
differenceofanyteaminthecompetition,whiletheCrusadershavecarriedfor100metresfewerthantheiropponentsthis
campaign. The Crusaders have gained 78 metres from mauls this season, a competition high, while scoring four tries from maul. The Blues have carried for 639 metres more than their opponents – the best difference in SRP and 100m more than the Crusaders’ differential.
Brumbies vs Moana Pasifika, 7.35pm
Brumbies (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Moana Pasifika (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Referee: Graham Cooper.
Key facts: Moana Pasifika won the only match up between these teams so far. While unbeaten the Brumbies are yet to hit their straps in an attacking sense. Their eight tries is the second lowest return in the comp this season.
Sunday
Highlanders vs Force, 1.35pm
Highlanders (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Force (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Referee: Angus Mabey.
Key facts: The Highlanders have won their last five Super Rugby matches against the Western Force, their longest winning run against them; they’ve scored 39 points per game across those five wins.
Reds vs Fijian Drua, 4pm
Reds (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Drua (1-15): TBC
Replacements:
Referee: Reuben Keane.
Key facts: The Reds have won just once in their last four home games – more than they lost in 19 home games before that. They have scored fewer than 20 points in their last five games – as many times as they failed to reach that mark in 17 previous games.
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