Super Rugby Pacific, Round Three - Teams and Predictions
TIME TO SHINE: Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific is set to be a historic occasion as the Moana Pasifika play their inaugural game.
They will kick off the round against the Crusaders, who are looking to build on their hard-fought victory over the Highlanders.
This will be followed by the Fijian Drua’s first-ever home game as they welcome the Melbourne Rebels to Sunshine Coast Stadium. The game was moved as a result of flooding in Brisbane, with both teams eager for the first win of the season.
The triple-header of action concludes in Perth with the Western Force welcoming the Queensland Reds to HBF Park. It’ll make a homecoming of sorts for the Force, forced on the road to start their season.
Tim Sampson’s men enter in great form after a bonus-point win over the Rebels, whilst the Queensland Reds are looking to continue their unbeaten run.
The Force famously beat the Reds 30-27 in Perth last year to secure a maiden finals berth in Super Rugby AU.
“We took a lot of belief and confidence out of that,” Force captain Feleti Kaitu’u said.
“We were the only side to topple the eventual Super Rugby champions last year. But it’s in the past. Tomorrow is a new day, a new game, and we’re prepared for it.”
Reds coach Brad Thorn praised the way his unbeaten team have been able to get on with the job throughout the Queensland floods.
The return of outside centre Hunter Paisami from a knee injury is a huge boost, while prop Taniela Tupou has been named on the bench after being ruled out of last week’s 20-16 win over the Waratahs with back spasms.
Thorn said the return of Paisami for his first Super game this year was important.
“He’s a Wallaby. He was in great form at the end of last year,” Thorn said.
“He was getting managed into this season. He’ll add some punch. He’s really keen to get out there.”
The match will also mark Force lock Izack Rodda’s first official match against the Reds since leaving Ballymore in 2020 after refusing to accept a pay cut.
The Blues and Chiefs will kick off Saturday at Eden Park, with the Blues out to avenge their heartbreaking loss to the Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are looking to build momentum after their Round One win over the Highlanders.
Following this, the Hurricanes host the Highlanders, heading into the contest full of confidence after last week’s thrilling victory.
Round Three is capped off with a grudge match between the Brumbies and Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, with both teams looking to solidify their spot in the top four.
Round Three teams and predictions below!
🙌🏾 History beckons for @MoanaPasifika_ on Friday night.#SuperRugbyPacific #MOAvCRU pic.twitter.com/neGZhml35h
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 2, 2022
Friday, March 4:
Moana Pasifika v Crusaders
(Otago Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)
This is set to be the first meeting in Super Rugby between Moana Pasifika and the Crusaders; the Crusaders have lost only one of their last seven games in the competition when facing a team for the first time (W5, D1), a 19-28 defeat to the Melbourne Rebels (Round 12, 2012).
The Crusaders have won their last nine Super Rugby games on the bounce, their longest winning streak in the competition since a run of 19 wins from March 2018 to March 2019; they have scored an average of 40 points per game across their last nine wins.
The Crusaders have lost only one of their last 37 Super Rugby matches against teams from outside New Zealand (W34, D2) and are undefeated in their last 15 such fixtures (W13, D2); their only defeat in that span was a 12-20 loss to the Waratahs (Round Six, 2019).
Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger won his first game as head coach in Super Rugby against the Crusaders in March 2018 but has lost each of his six completed games against them since.
The Crusaders have retained possession on 10 kicks in play in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, three more than any other team in the competition.
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) has made two try saver tackles in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season; he is one of only two players to have made more than one so far this season (Pete Samu – 3).
Crusaders’ duo Fergus Burke and Scott Barrett have each won three turnovers this Super Rugby Pacific campaign; no other player in the competition has won more than two.
Solomone Kata joins Moana Pasifika after three seasons with the Brumbies, including an appearance in Round Two of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 2021 where he beat 12 defenders against the Chiefs – the second most of any player in a game throughout the tournament (16 – Jordie Barrett in Round Five).
Prediction
@rugby365com: Crusaders by 30 points.
Teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tima Fainga’anuku, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Neria Fomai, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Henry Time-Stowers, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Solomone Funaki, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Mike McKee, 3 Sekope Kepu (captain), 2 Luteru Tolai, 1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, 18 Joe Apikotoa, 19 Alex McRobbie, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Fine Inisi.
Crusaders: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 George Bridge, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange (captain), 4 Mitch Dunshea, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dominic Gardiner, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Isaiah Punivai.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Chris Hart
Fijian Drua v Melbourne Rebels
(Sunshine Coast Stadium, Queensland – Kick-off: 18.45; 20.45 FJT; 19.45 AEDT; 08.45 GMT)
This is set to be the first meeting in Super Rugby between the Fijian Drua and Melbourne Rebels; the Rebels have won only two of their last 10 games in the competition when facing a team for the first time (L8), although they did win their most recent instance as the away team on the day (35-9 v Sunwolves – Round Four, 2016).
The Fijian Drua will host their first game in Super Rugby, facing the Melbourne Rebels; they have lost their first two games in the competition and conceded 40+ points in both.
The Melbourne Rebels have lost their last five Super Rugby matches against non-Australian teams, conceding 43 points per game in that span; the last time they went on a longer losing run in such fixtures was an eight-match span from April 2016 to March 2017.
The Melbourne Rebels have not won at Suncorp Stadium in Super Rugby since March 2019 (32-13 v Queensland Reds), logging four successive defeats at the Brisbane venue since.
The Melbourne Rebels have been kept to fewer than 10 points scored in each of their last two Super Rugby games; the last and only previous time any team was kept to a single figure score in more than two consecutive games in the competition was a four-game stretch for the Lions in 2007.
The Fijian Drua have made 41 tackle breaks in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the second-most of any team in the competition (Hurricanes – 59) and 17 more than the Melbourne Rebels (24).
No team has made more dominant tackles in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign than the Fijian Drua (14); Drua trio Isoa Nasilasila, Kitione Salawa, and Vinaya Habosi have each made two dominant tackles this season.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Melbourne Rebels by 15 points.
Teams:
Fijian Drua: 15 Baden Kerr, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Peni Matawalu, 8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 7 Vilive Miramira, 6 Meli Derenalagi (captain), 5 Ratu Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa.
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Timoci Sauvoli, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Viliame Rarasea, 20 Rusiate Nasove, 21 Joshua Vuta, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Jona Mataiciwa.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Carter Gordon, 14 Young Tonumaipea, 13 Lukas Ripley, 12 Raymond Nu’u, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Tamati Ioane, 7 Brad Wilkin, 6 Michael Wells (captain), 5 Josh Canham, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cameron Orr.
Replacements: 16 Efi Ma’afu, 17 Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Josh Hill, 20 Sam Wallis, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Nick Jooste, 23 Ilikena Vudogo.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, James Palmer
TMO: Brett Cronan
Western Force v Reds
(Perth Oval, Perth – Kick-off: 19.00; 21.00 AEST; 11.00 GMT)
The Western Force defeated the Queensland Reds 30-27 in their most recent Super Rugby match (Round 10 – Super Rugby AU 2021), snapping a three-match losing run against them; they will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Reds for the first time since May 2017.
The Western Force have lost only one of their last six Super Rugby matches against the Queensland Reds at Perth (W4, D1), a 10-32 defeat in May 2015; they have won each of their last two games at the venue against the Reds.
The Western Force snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 28-3 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Round Two of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign; the Force have won four of their last eight Super Rugby games on home turf (L4) including a 30-27 win over the Queensland Reds in their last clash in Western Australia (23 April 2021).
The Queensland Reds have won four of their last five away games against Australian opponents in Super Rugby (L1) after having won only one of their 11 such games prior (D1, L10).
The Queensland Reds will be looking to open a Super Rugby campaign with three consecutive wins for the second time since the beginning of 2013 after winning their first two games of the 2022 Super Rugby campaign (W7 in 2021 Super Rugby AU).
The Western Force have made 67 dominant carries in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, the second-most of any team in the competition (Hurricanes – 74) and more than twice as many as the Reds (24).
The Queensland Reds have made 38 successful exits from their own 22m zone in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the second most of any team in the competition and 14 more than the Western Force (24).
Prediction
@rugby365com: Reds by three points.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Jake Strachan, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Reesjan Pasitoa, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Tim Anstee, 7 Ollie Callan, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Izack Rodda, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u (captain), 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Jack Winchester, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Grason Makara.
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Josh Flook, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (captain), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Feao Fotuaika, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Dane Zander.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Tuaina Tualima, 21 Spencer Jeans, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 Mac Grealy.
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: Kyle Burnett
Saturday, March 5:
Blues v Chiefs
(Eden Park, Auckland – Kick-off: 16.35; 03.35 GMT)
The Blues have won three of their last four Super Rugby matches against the Chiefs (L1), after winning only one of their 17 meetings prior in the competition (D1, L15).
The Blues have won each of their last two Super Rugby home matches against the Chiefs; they will be aiming for a third consecutive home victory against them for the first time in the history of Super Rugby.
The Blues succumbed to a one-point defeat to the Hurricanes (33-32) in their last Super Rugby game at home (Round Two – Super Rugby Pacific 2022) and will be looking to avoid back-to-back home defeats for the first time since their opening two home games of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
The Chiefs have won six of their last eight Super Rugby games against New Zealand opponents (L2); although, they’ve not won a New Zealand derby by a margin of more than 10 points since a 40-27 win over the Crusaders in June 2019.
The Chiefs will play away from home for the first time in the Super Rugby Pacific competition; they have won two of their last three away games in Super Rugby competitions (L1) – as many as they had won in their nine away games prior (W2, L7).
The Blues have gained 631 metres per game in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the most of any team while the Chiefs (395m) have gained the third most per game (Hurricanes – 518).
The Chiefs (9) and the Blues (16) have conceded the fewest turnovers of any teams in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Blues by five points.
Teams:
Blues: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii (captain), 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Beauden Barrett/Zarn Sullivan, 23 AJ Lam.
Chiefs: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Brad Weber (co-captain), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
Hurricanes v Highlanders
(Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)
The Hurricanes have won five of their last six Super Rugby matches against the Highlanders (L1), including each of their two meetings in 2021 – just the third time they have defeated them more than once in a calendar year (W2 – 2019 and W2 – 2015).
The Hurricanes have won their last six Super Rugby home matches on the bounce against the Highlanders; a seventh consecutive win in this game would equal their longest winning run at home against a fellow New Zealand team (W7 v Chiefs – March 2003 to July 2012).
The Hurricanes logged a one-point win over the Blues (33-32) in the second round of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition and will now be searching for consecutive wins against fellow New Zealand opposition for the first time since Round 9 of the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season.
The Highlanders have lost their last three Super Rugby games in a row; the last time they lost more in succession was a five-game stretch from March to April in 2019 which included two defeats to the Hurricanes.
The Highlanders have lost 12 of their last 15 away games against New Zealand opponents in Super Rugby competitions (W3), including their last three on the bounce; two of their three wins in that period have been against the Chiefs and they have not won away to the Hurricanes since July 2015.
The Hurricanes have made 24 entries into the opposition 22m zone this Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any team in the competition and eight more than the Highlanders (16).
The Highlanders have made 22 exits from their own 22m via kicks in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the most of any team in the competition and seven more than the Hurricanes (15).
Prediction
@rugby365com: Hurricanes by 10 points.
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Billy Proctor, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Caleb Delany, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Peter Umaga-Jensen.
Highlanders: 15 Connor Garden-Bachop, 14 Sam Gilbert, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Mitch Hunt (co-captain), 9 Folau Fakatava (captain), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 James Lentjes (co-captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Scott Gregory.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Jono Bredin
TMO: Glenn Newman
Brumbies v Waratahs
(Canberra Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 19.45; 08.45 GMT)
The Brumbies have won 11 of their last 12 Super Rugby matches against the Waratahs (L1), including their last eight on the bounce – the longest winning run by either side in the history of this fixture.
The Brumbies defeated the Waratahs 61-10 in their most recent Super Rugby meeting at Canberra Stadium (Round Two – Super Rugby AU 2021); the 51-point winning margin is the Brumbies’ biggest in a game against a fellow Australian team and fourth-largest in a match overall.
The Waratahs have won only one of their last 13 Super Rugby matches outside New South Wales (L12), a 28-8 win against the Western Force (Round Seven – Super Rugby AU 2020); they have lost their last seven away fixtures in succession – the last time they went on a longer losing run on the road was an eight-match span from May 2012 to April 2013.
The Brumbies have won 15 of their last 16 home games against Australian opponents in Super Rugby competitions (L1), including their last three on the bounce; they have not lost such a fixture by a margin greater than seven points since a 17-27 loss to the Queensland Reds in February 2014.
The Waratahs have lost their last nine Super Rugby games against Australian opponents, last picking up a win in such a fixture in August 2020 against the Melbourne Rebels (38-32).
The Brumbies have won 21 turnovers throughout the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, more than any other team in the competition and more than twice as many as the Waratahs (9).
The Waratahs (10) and Brumbies (9) have made the second and third-most line breaks respectively of any teams in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition with only the Hurricanes (12) leading them in this category.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Brumbies by 17 points.
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Ed Kennedy, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23 Jesse Mogg.
Waratahs: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Dylan Pietsch, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 James Turner, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Will Harris, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Te Tera Faulkner, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Max Douglas, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Will Harrison, 23 Tevita Funa.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
Source: AAP & @SuperRugby
*Statistical information provided by Opta Data
