Super Rugby Pacific, Round 10 - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: The Crusaders will be looking to hold onto top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings as the tournament enters Round 10.
Rob Penney’s side will kick off the weekend’s action with a blockbuster showdown against the Blues on Friday.
Fijian Drua will host the Waratahs in Lautoka to kick-start Saturday’s action.
Following this, Moana Pasifika returns to Pukekohe to take on the Brumbies, while the Chiefs look to rebound against the Highlanders.
The Western Force and Hurricanes conclude the round in Perth, with the Queensland Reds on the bye.
It was just three weeks ago that the Crusaders comfortably dismissed the Blues in Auckland, their famed rivals have strung together some strong wins since and are threatening to break back into the kind of form that saw them lift the Super Rugby Pacific trophy a season ago.
“They’ve got themselves into a position where they’re still in control of their own destiny, so it’ll be another good match-up,” Penney said ahead of the clash.
The return of Codie Taylor from a one-week stand down with concussion is the more notable of just two changes to the starting XV. The other being the return of Antonio Shalfoon in the second row.
Both men dropped from the starting unit, Ioane Moananu and Jamie Hannah, have been named on the bench.
“Ioane has proved he is worthy of a place in this team and can regularly hold down his place.
“He’s a well-respected member of the team and his lineout throwing is classy, his scrummaging is impressive, and he always manages to get the crowd off their seats at games.”
The Blues are aware they need to continue building on their momentum following back-to-back wins.
“We have improved each week, but we know we still have plenty of space to get better,” head coach Vern Cotter said.
“The group is challenging each other to improve every day, every session and every game.
“A strong team performance against a confident Crusaders team will be key on Friday night.”
See below for Round 10’s teams and predictions!
Friday, April 18:
Crusaders v Blues
(Rugby League Park, Christchurch – 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Crusaders by six points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu, 19 Lachlan McWhannell, 20 Cameron Suafoa, 21 Adrian Choat, 22 Taufa Funaki, 23 Harry Plummer.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan
Saturday, April 19:
Fijian Drua v Waratahs
(Churchill Park, Lautoka – Kick-off: 14.05; 12.05 AEST; 02.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Waratahs by two points.
Teams:
Fiji Drua: 15 Isikeli Rabitu, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Iosefo Masi (co-captain), 12 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (co-captain), 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Isoa Tuwai, 21 Leone Nawai, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Inia Tabuavou.
Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Leafi Talataina, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Jamie Adamson, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair (captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Henry O’Donnell.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Moana Pasifika v Brumbies
(Growers Stadium, Pukekohe – Kick-off: 16.35; 14.35 GMT; 04.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Brumbies by five points.
Teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 Tevita Ofa, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Sione Havili Talitui (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Michael Curry, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Sione Mafile’o, 2 Samiuela Moli, 1 Abraham Pole.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Samuel Slade, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Danny Toala.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Ollie Sapsford, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuanina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Rhys van Nek.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Cadeyrn Neville, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Hudson Creighton.
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: James Doleman, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Glenn Newman
Chiefs v Highlanders
(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by 12 points.
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Henry Bell, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Te Kamaka Howden, 20 Will Stodart, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Jonah Lowe.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Way
TMO: James Leckie
Western Force v Hurricanes
(Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth – Kick-off: 17.35; 21.35 NZST; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Western Force by seven points.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa.
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua (co-captain), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Zach Gallagher, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Higgins, 23 Billy Proctor.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Jeremy Markey, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: Graham Cooper
Additional source: @RugbyPass
