Super Rugby Pacific, Round Five - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: The Highlanders and Crusaders add another chapter to their South Island rivalry, while the Reds host arch rivals Waratahs in Brisbane.
On Sunday, it’s the battle of the 09 as the Blues host neighbours Moana Pasifika at Eden Park.
Further matches see the Hurricanes return to Napier to face the Western Force while the Fijian Drua play their maiden game in Ba against the ACT Brumbies.
The Chiefs enjoy the week off after their convincing win over Moana Pasifika.
Dan McKellar has challenged his Waratahs to man up in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s absence, amid concerns the superstar centre will miss the bulk of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Suaalii will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after tearing a hamstring in the warm-up before last Friday night’s 12-59 capitulation to the Hurricanes in Sydney.
After fading from finals contention last year when fellow Wallabies strike weapon Max Jorgensen suffered an ankle injury, McKellar stressed the importance of keeping his big guns on the park this campaign.
Now the coach will be without a player he once famously dubbed the team’s “Ferrari” for at least two-thirds of the season.
“It’s just the next man’s got to step up,” McKellar said on Wednesday when asked how he’d manage sans Suaalii.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose any player to injury, and to have ‘Su’ on the sidelines at this stage, it’ll be six to eight weeks, and we’ll see how that goes, but the next person’s just got to step up, and you’ve just got to get on with it.”
The Crusaders have named a side this week that blends fresh excitement with some much‑needed stability as the group prepares for another fierce southern derby.
There’s been plenty of honest reflection after the loss to the Blues, but Head Coach Rob Penney says the mindset inside the camp remains strong.
He’s clear about what hurt most last weekend, mentioning the error rate and inconsistency, yet he never wavered in his belief about the group’s ability to bounce back.
“We’ve got a great group, very capable of turning it around quickly, and I’ve got no doubt they will do,” he says.
That confidence flows into this week’s line-up.
Johnny Lee will earn his first Crusaders cap, stepping straight into the seven jersey after months of hard graft behind the scenes.
Penney says the opportunity came after injuries opened a door, but Lee’s work ethic ensured he was ready to walk through it.
“He’s worked really hard in our environment and got himself in great nick. He’s a classy loose forward who can do all things, a big body who gets locked into the breakdown and has really good flexibility,” he says.
Chay Fihaki reaches a special milestone this weekend, running out for his 50th Crusaders appearance.
His growth has been steady and impressive, and the tone in Penney’s voice makes it clear just how valued he is.
“Chay’s journey has been special. He’s matured into a player who brings calm, skill and spark, and we’re incredibly proud of him hitting 50,” he says.
Highlanders mentor Jamie Joseph said that he expects a tight affair between the two sides, as was the case earlier this season in Dunedin.
“Highlanders-Crusaders games are traditionally fairly tight. That speaks to the rivalry that exists between the two southern clubs,” Joseph said.
“Typically, it comes down to discipline, a few moments, or which team can stay composed the longest.
“It’s a close competition, so every match matters and the Crusaders in Christchurch are always one of the season’s biggest challenges.
*See all teams and predictions below!
Friday, March 13
Hurricanes v Western Force
(McLean Park, Napier – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 14.05 AWST; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Hurricanes by 15 points
Teams
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Jone Rova, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Callum Harkin, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones,
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Riley Higgins
Western Force: 15 Max Burey, 14 Darby Lancaster, 13 George Bridge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Lopeti Faifua, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Taj Annan, 23 Hamish Stewart
Referee: Todd Petrie
Assistant referees: Fraser Hannon, Ben Woolerton
TMO: Glenn Newman
Saturday, March 14
Fijian Drua v Brumbies
(Four R Stadium, Ba – Kick-off: 15.35 FJT; 14.35 AEDT; 03.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Brumbies by 18 points
Teams
Fijian Drua: 15 Iliasia Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova,13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Iosefo Namoce
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead (captain), 14 Corey Toole, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Kye Oates, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Klayton Thorn, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 5 Toby Macpherson, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Darcy Breen, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowrn, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Lachie Shaw, 20 Rory Scott, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Hudson Creighton
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Crusaders v Highlanders
(Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Crusaders by seven points
Teams
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Johnny Lee, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Finlay Brewis
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Dallas McLeod
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy (co-captain), 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Soana Viekna, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Rohan Wingham, 19 Oli Haig, 20 Nikora Broughton, 21 Veveni Lasaqa, 22 Adam Lennox, 23 Reesjan Pasiota
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
Reds v Waratahs
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 18.35 AEST; 19.35 AEDT; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Reds by five points
Teams
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Treyvon Pritchard
Waratahs: 15 James Hendren, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 Harry Potter
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Sunday, March 15
Blues v Moana Pasifika
(Eden Park, Auckland 15.35 NZDT; 02.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Blues by 22 points
Teams
Blues: 15 Cole Forbes, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Malachi Wrampling, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Pita Akhi, 23 Zarn Sullivan
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Tevita Latu, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Veikoso Poloniati, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Joel Lam, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 Tuna Tuitama
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
Sources: AAP & Super Rugby
