Super Rugby Pacific, Round Three - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: It is the battle of the heavyweights when the Chiefs take on the struggling Crusaders in Waikato on Saturday, whilst the Reds will look to record their first season victory when they host the Highlanders in Brisbane on Friday.
Flyhalf Carter Gordon has been encouraged to “own the moment” in a Reds debut that will come eight years after penning his first contract at Ballymore.
A Wallabies quintet led by Test skipper Harry Wilson and flyhalf Gordon will reinforce the side in Friday’s crucial home Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Highlanders.
Wallaby No.8 Wilson (knee) and flyhalf Carter Gordon (leg) will start at Suncorp Stadium while hooker Josh Nasser, scrumhalf Kalani Thomas and utility back Filipo Daugunu will bolster the bench.
The high-profile returns after a week two bye offer some relief for the Reds, who had a double-figure injury list even before a season-opening loss to the Waratahs a fortnight ago.
But there is still no Tom Lynagh, who is being treated with caution after concussion and hamstring issues cut short the No.10’s Test campaign last year.
Reds coach Les Kiss said Lynagh was on track for a possible return next week in Canberra against the Brumbies, but that Friday presented a chance for Gordon, injured in the side’s final preseason fixture, to shine.
After first signing a contract at Ballymore as a 17-year-old in 2018, he will make his Reds debut alongside fellow Sunshine Coast product Louis Werchon.
Gordon left the Reds for a Super Rugby chance at the Rebels and earned a Wallabies call-up before signing with Gold Coast in the NRL and then rejoining the Reds last year and resuming his Test career.
The preview continues below…
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“He [Gordon] has been very generous with how he’s blended in with the team, finding out how we work and how we can work with him,” Kiss said.
“He was gutted he couldn’t play that first game, but he’s revelling in that preparation this week.
“He’s owned the moments and grown with it … this is the chance.
“[It is] an opportunity to put it on the main stage for sure, and he’s always wanted to put this jersey on at Suncorp [Stadium].
“He can rip a wide pass that can make space, but it’s important we can go forward first.”
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will deputise while Thomas, who made his Test debut in the final game of the Wallabies’ European tour last year, is coming off a career-best season in 2025.
They will need to be sharp against an improved Highlanders side that beat reigning premiers the Crusaders in the first round.
An all-Wallabies starting front-row of Aidan Ross, Zane Nonggorr and Matt Faessler will set the tone.
“When is the heat not on, I would say,” Kiss said of the high-stakes nature of the clash.
“The boys relish it, they’re ready for it.”
In Hamilton, the Chiefs will be licking their lips given the recent run of form of their old rivals, the Crusaders.
The Crusaders lost their opening two clashes, including a record-breaking defeat to the Brumbies in Christchurch last week – their first in 26 years.
Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes has brought two All Blacks into his matchday 23 to play the Crusaders on Saturday and gave former Wallaby midfielder Lalaki Foketi a potential debut.
Gibbes has also moved All Blacks Simon Parker and Emoni Narawa from the bench to start at blindside and wing, respectively.
Kaylum Boshier moves from No.6 to openside flanker.
The bench has been bolstered by the return of All Black loose forwards Wallace Sititi and Samipeni Finau.
Xavier Roe will play his 50th Super Rugby after the former Hamilton Boys High School product made his debut against the Highlanders in 2021.
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Gibbes acknowledged the significance of Foketi’s Chiefs debut in the city of his childhood and Roe’s milestone match.
“It’s nice to be able to achieve these things at home,” Gibbes said. “We are really excited about playing in front of our friends and whanau [family].
“We’ve effectively had three weeks on the road with the Hurricanes pre-season match in Porirua, so it’s really nice to get underway at home.”
Damian McKenzie has rejoined the side after four weeks out with the birth of his first child. Cortez Ratima was not considered due to paternity leave.
With only minor changes to his side, Gibbes is pleased to see consistency in selection despite huge pressure on the coaches from the players.
“We’ve got a healthy squad, so that helps with the consistency in selections, but the players are making it really tough to pick the team – which is great.”
In Canberra, the ladder-leading Brumbies, fresh off a magnificent defeat of the Crusaders in Christchurch, have named an unchanged side for the third-straight week to face the Blues in Canberra.
The winless Force have added Argentina scrumhalf Agustin Moyano to their bench for a possible debut, while winger Darby Lancaster will also earn a cap after overcoming a thigh injury.
Hooker Nic Dolly also returns to the Force starting side for Friday’s clash with Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe, south of Auckland.
The Waratahs, who have won both home games against the Reds and Fijian Drua to begin the season, have a third-round bye.
*See all the teams and predictions for the weekend below!
Friday, February 27
Moana Pasifika v Western Force
(Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 14.05 AWST; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Moana Pasifika by two points
Teams
Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Ola Tauelangi, 20 Tupou Afungia, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Latu
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Darby Lancaster, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Jeremy Williams (captain), 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Reds v Highlanders
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 18.35 AEST; 21.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Reds by five points
Teams
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Adam Lennox, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy (co-captain), 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Will Stodart, 3 Rohan Wingham, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Saturday, February 28
Fijian Drua v Hurricanes
(Churchill Park, Lautoka – Kick-off: 15.35 FJT; 16.35 NZDT; 03.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Hurricanes by 20 points
Teams
Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Epeli Momo, 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 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Inia Tabuavou
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Callum Harkin, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Hugo Plummer, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Ngane Punivai
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Todd Petrie, Maggie Cogger-Orr
TMO: Richard Kelly
Chiefs v Crusaders
(FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Chiefs by eight points
Teams
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Kaylum Boshier, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Jared Proffit
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Lalakai Foketi
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 George Bell, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Louis Chapman, 22 James White, 23 Dallas McLeod
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
Brumbies v Blues
(GIO Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 19.35 AEDT; 21.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Brumbies by 12 points
Teams
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hudson Creighton
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan,14 Cole Forbes, 13 AJ Lam,12 Pita Akhi, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
With reporting by AAP
