Super Rugby Pacific, Round 15 - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: The Waratahs have placed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in cotton wool, refusing to risk their superstar attacker in a must-win Super Rugby Pacific showdown with the Brumbies.
After only returning three weeks ago from a hamstring tear, Suaalii was a late scratching from last Saturday’s season-saving 50-35 victory over the Fijian Drua in Suva.
Coach Dan McKellar on Wednesday said while Suaalii’s latest setback wasn’t serious, it was too “high-risk” to rush the code-hopping game-breaker back to face the Brumbies in Sydney on Friday night.
“He was a possibility. If it’s a Grand Final, you’ll probably roll him out,” McKellar said.
“The travel has probably taken its toll. When he’s sitting in economy class for a fair amount of time, a long travel day off the back of playing in Dunedin as well, that’s probably played a role in where he’s at.
“But he ran this morning and we’re hopeful that he’ll turn around quickly. Certainly there’s been no re-tear or incident, it’s just not quite right. If he’s a tighthead prop, you can probably get away with it, but when you’re the athlete that he is, it, it would be high risk.”
Star scrumhalf Jake Gordon was rested for the Fiji trip but remains sidelined this week through illness.
McKellar was happy to continue backing Teddy Wilson at No.9 after naming an unchanged starting line-up.
“There’s a whole lot of energy off the back of the performance and the momentum that we created from that [weekend win], and we probably built a little bit of momentum that last half-hour against the Highlanders,” the coach said.
“As disappointing as that first half was, the second half was better, so the players that did the job in Suva have presented up fresh and excited to rip into what’s a step up against the Brumbies.”
Sitting three points behind the fifth-placed Brumbies in seventh spot, the Waratahs likely need to win on Friday and then beat the Western Force in Perth in the last regular match of the season to make the top-six finals.
“I don’t really need to talk about it,” McKellar said.
“Everyone in the building knows that this is a big game and an important week, and we’ve spoken in the past about … some games are just different.
“Brumbies versus the Waratahs, it’s one of those weeks on any given week.
“But certainly when we’re both chasing the same prize, it adds to that.”
*The Highlanders have named what could be their final matchday team of the year, should results not go their way in Round 15.
The men from Dunedin have a bye in the final round of the season, so have just Saturday’s game against the competition-leading Hurricanes to make up the four competition points they are currently trailing by in the play-off race.
The team can steal the Reds’ play-off berth with a bonus-point victory in Wellington, provided the Queenslanders — and the seventh-placed Waratahs — lose their remaining two games without any bonus points.
It’s a narrow window, but that hasn’t stopped head coach Jamie Joseph backing the youth in his squad.
Unfortunately, Caleb Tangitau’s name has been added to the Highlanders’ talent-rich season-ending injury list, but that has created an opportunity for Xavier Tito-Harris to start on the right wing and for Wellington product Stanley Solomon to make his potential Super Rugby debut from the bench in his hometown.
Other changes in the matchday 23 include Nic Shearer’s return to the starting team at halfback, with Adam Lennox shifting to the bench. Jona Nareki returns from suspension to line up at centre, with Meihana Grindlay providing midfield cover in his potential Highlanders debut.
In the forwards, Hugh Renton is back at No.8, replacing the injured Nikora Broughton, and partnering emerging star Lucas Casey and the competition’s leading tackler TK Howden in the loose forwards.
See below for Round 15’s teama nd predictions!
Friday, May 22:
Crusaders v Chiefs
(One NZ Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Crusaders by three points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Liam Jack, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Johnny McNicholl.
Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Sione Ahio, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Daniel Rona.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glen Newman
Waratahs v Brumbies
(Allianz Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.35; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Waratahs by two points.
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 Jack Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Oniti Finau, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Joey Walton
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Toby Macpherson, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andy Muirhead.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Saturday, May 23:
Moana Pasifika v Queensland Reds
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland – Kick-off: 16.35; 14.35 AEST; 04.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Reds by seven points.
Teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Tevita Latu, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 4 Allan Craig, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai.
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Alefosio Aho, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Faletoi Peni, 23 Tuna Tuitama.
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Treyvon Pritchard, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Filipo Daugunu, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Josh Nasse, 1 George Blake.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Lachie Anderson.
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Hurricanes v Highlanders
(Hnry Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Hurricanes by 13 points.
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-captain), 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Devan Flanders, 6 Warner Dearns, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Pasilio Tosi, 3 Asafo Aumua, 2 Siale Lauaki.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Tom Allen, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Jone Rova.
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Xavier Tito-Harris, 13 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cam Millar, 9 Nic Shearer, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Lucas Casey, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Mau, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Stanley Solomon, 23 Meihana Grindlay.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Western Force v Fijian Drua
(HBF Park, Perth – Kick-off: 19.05; 23.05 FJT; 11.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Western Force by six points.
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Zac Lomax, 13 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Max Burey, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Vailoni Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Misinale Epenisa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Boston Fakafanua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Fijian Drua: 15 Isikeli Rabitu, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Maika Tuitubou, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Isoa Tuwai, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Vilive Miramira, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (captain), 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Meli Tuni.
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Penaia Cakobau, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Isoa Nasilasila, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Iosefo Namoce.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
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