Super Rugby teams round 1: Lynagh gets first shot as 10s battle launched, Rodda returns for Force

Here we go. The teams are in for the opening round of the 2024 Super Rugby competition and potential Wallabies get their first shot at impressing new coach Joe Schmidt.

The battle for the No.10 jersey is shaping up as a big one this season, and Queensland’s Tom Lynagh gets his chance to impress on the same weekend that two rivals Noah Lolesio and Carter Gordon go head-to-head and Wallabies incumbent Ben Donaldson debuts for the Force.

Scroll down to read all the teams and news:

Friday

Chiefs vs Crusaders, 5.05pm AEDT

Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luck Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson.

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.

Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Tamati Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki.

Reserves: Quinten MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Ryan Crotty.

Rebels vs Brumbies, 7.35pm AEDT

Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), Jack Maunder, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway.

Reserves: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste.

Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, Tom Wright.

Reserves: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Sefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Tamati Tua.

Force vs Hurricanes, 10pm AEDT

Five starters will make the Western Force debut during Friday’s Super Rugby opener against the Hurricanes at HBF Park.

Indeed, lock Tom Franklin, back-rower Will Harris, halves Nic White and Ben Donaldson, and outside back Harry Potter have all been named to start.

But the headline is Izack Rodda’s return from a foot injury, with the 2019 World Cup Wallabies member making a welcomed return as new captain Jeremy Williams battles concussion symptoms. Rodda will partner Franklin in the second-row.

Cron hasn’t wasted any time injected his new halves either, with co-captain White named alongside his Wallabies teammate Ben Donaldson. Max Burey, the livewire threat who can also slot in at fly-half, has been named at fullback in a back three combination alongside Chase Tiatia and Potter.

Cron has opted for a forwards heavy bench, with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and George Poolman the only backs.
Hooker Ben Funnell, lock Lopeti Faifua and prop Tiaan Tauakipulu are also in line to make their club debuts off the bench.

Force (1-15): Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells (co-c), Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White (co-c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey.

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman.

Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numea, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love.

Reserves: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi.

Saturday

Blues vs Drua, 2.35pm AEDT

Lock Josh Beehre will make his Blues debut while prop Angus Ta’avao and winger Caleb Clarke are both set for their 50th appearance for the Auckland outfit.

Beehre joins Sam Darry in the middle of the scrum, while Ta’avao packs down with Kurt Eklund and Joshua Fusitu’a in the first Blues front row of the season.

Anton Segner gets a start at blindside flanker with captain Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu round out the pack.

In the backs, Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta form a strong 9-10 partnership with Harry Plummer and Rieko Ioane pairing up in the centres. 

Clarke is joined by speedster Mark Tele’a on the wing with Zarn Sullivan rounding out the back three.

Two further Blues debuts await on the bench with lock Laghlan McWhannell and fullback Cole Forbes in contention for their first caps.

Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta’avao, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan.

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes.

Drua (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Ella Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu.

Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Tudraki Samusamuvodre.

Highlanders vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm AEDT

Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Reserves: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe.

Moana Pasifika (1-15): James Lay (c), Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Pepesane Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala.

Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Aisea Halo, D’Angelo Leuila, Anzleo Tuitavuki.

Reds vs Waratahs, 8.05pm AEDT

Reds (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia.

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell.

Waratahs (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton.

Reserves: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Sam Thomson, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Max Jorgensen