Super Rugby Pacific, Round Seven - teams and predictions
PREVIEW: The Super Rugby Pacific competition prepares for the first wave of byes as teams start to build towards the Finals.
The Chiefs face a tough game against Moana Pasifika as the Brumbies and Waratahs conclude Saturday with a grudge match.
The Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes, and Reds all have byes.
This could get ugly fast for Moana if they play like they have over the last fortnight. After a promising start to the year, they have conceded over 100 points in losses to the Brumbies and Blues, which they need to address promptly or risk this season falling off a cliff already.
The Chiefs are coming off a loss to the Crusaders and have brought Damian McKenzie back in at first five, he’ll steer around an otherwise rotated backline.
The Brumbies are sitting in joint second place right now, a place they want to stay to ensure a home playoff run. They’ll be taking a business-as-usual approach against a Waratahs team that promised a bit at the start of the season, but has fallen down to 10th and only won one game so far.
CHIEFS V MOANA PASIFIKA
(FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (19.05; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction:
@Rugby365: Chiefs by 10 points
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Rameka Poihipi (c), 11 Peniasi Malimali, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Simon Parker, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
Moana Pasifika: 15 Kyren Taumoefolau, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Viliami Fine, 10 William Havili, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Semisi Paea, 7 Niko Jones, 6 Irie Papuni, 5 Tom Savage, 4 Ola Tauelangi, 3 Sekope Kepu (c), 2 Sama Malolo, 1 Donald Brighouse
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Suetena Asomua, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Miracle Faiilagi, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 D’Angelo Leuila
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
BRUMBIES v WARATAHS
(GIO Stadium, Canberra 19.35; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction:
@Rugby365: Waratahs by nine points
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Hudson Creighton, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Fred Kahea, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Declan Meredith
Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Hugh Sinclair, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Fergus Lee-Warner, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Julian Heaven, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Theo Fourie, 17 Hayden Thompson-Stringer, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Sione Misiloi, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Will Harrison, 23 Izaia Perese
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Matt Kellahan
