It’s another big week of trans-Tasman rivalry with four Aussie teams going up against Kiwi opponents and the Brumbies hosting the Fijian Drua.
See how all the team news unfolds below.
(All times are AEST)
Friday
Hurricanes vs Waratahs, 5.05pm
Changes to the Hurricanes forward pack see Pouri Rakete-Stones, Devan Flanders and Peter Lakai come into the starting line-up while Justin Sangster is on the bench. Kianu Kereru-Symes makes his first start for the team at hooker.
Richard Judd starts in the nine jersey with Brett Cameron at 10, while Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor combine in midfield. After two matches off the bench post injury, Bailyn Sullivan starts on the left wing.
The Canes have a stacked bench with with Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett and Salesi Rayasi set for action later in the game.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Brett Cameron, Bailyn Sullivan, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Lachlan Swinton, Hunter Ward, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini, Brad Amituanai, Miles Amatosero, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Vuate Karawalevu
Referee: Dan Waenga
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter.
Rebels vs Blues, 7.35pm
PJ Sheck will make his debut for the Blues while Cam Suafoa is back in the 23 following cancer treatment.
Sheck, who made one appearance for the Highlanders last season joins the experienced Ricky Riccitelli and Ofa Tu’ungafasi in the front row for his debut at tighthead.
Suafoa, who has spent large parts of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season on the sidelines undergoing radiation treatment for a cancerous tumor in his back, returns, having finished radiation treatment last month.
In the backline, Caleb Clarke returns to start on his preferred Left Wing, meaning Mark Tele’a switches back to the 14 jersey for Friday night against the Rebels.
AJ Lam gets his first start at No.12 this season playing outside Harry Plummer.
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Filipo Daugunu, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Jack Maunder, Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, PJ Sheck, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Cam Suafoa, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, James Palmer.
Saturday
Moana Pasifika vs Highlanders, 12.05pm
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Lealiifano, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Viliami Fine, William Havili
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Solomone Funaki, Ereatara Enari, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Connor Garden-Bachop, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Will Tucker, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Martin Bogodo
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Crusaders vs Reds 2.35pm
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Johnny McNicholl, Leigh Halfpenny
RESERVES: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Liam Wright (c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy , Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, John Bryant, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Philips, Suliasi Vunivalu
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey.
Chiefs vs Force, 5.05pm
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Kauvaka Kalvelata, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane
FORCE (1-15): Josh Bartlett, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon.
Brumbies vs Fijian Drua, 7.35pm
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (C), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Michael Naitokani, Iosefo Masi, Junior Ratvua, Selestino Ravutaumada
RESERVES: Mesu Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Ilaisa Droasese
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Jordan Kaminsky, George Myers.
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