Super Rugby Pacific, Round Two - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: Super Rugby Pacific rolls on as the ten teams in action will look for redemption and build momentum in Round Two.
The action kicks off in Wellington with the Hurricanes starting their season against Moana Pasifika, followed by the Waratahs hosting the Fijian Drua.
The Chiefs and Highlanders will be out to maintain their perfect starts when they face off in Dunedin, while the Western Force play their first-ever match in Joondalup.
A rare Sunday match between the Crusaders and Brumbies concludes the round, with the Reds having the week off.
The Hurricanes features three new caps, including a starting debut for Japan captain Warner Dearns.
He is set to be accompanied in making his maiden appearance by loose forward Arese Poliko and wider training group utility forward Matolu Petaia, both of whom have been named on the bench.
The soon-to-be-capped trio headlines this week’s line-up, which includes Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, and Siale Lauaki in the front row.
Hugo Plummer partners Dearns in the second row, while All Black loose forward Peter Lakai will play his first match of the year after being named at openside flanker in a back row that has Devan Flanders at blindside flanker and Brayden Iose at No 8.
In the backline, Ereatara Enari and Brett Cameron start at scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively.
Jordie Barrett captains the side from No.12, and Josh Moorby has been named at right wing, in what will be the first Hurricanes match for both players since 2024.
Barrett joins centre Bailyn Sullivan in the midfield, and Moorby forms a back three with left wing Fehi Fineanganofo and fullback Callum Harkin.
On the bench, Poliko and Petaia are named alongside All Blacks pair Cam Roigard and Billy Proctor, both of whom are in line for their first matches of the year.
Elsewhere, Brad Shields has recovered from a finger injury to earn a spot in the reserves, while Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, and Tevita Mafileo will provide cover for the front row.
“It’s an exciting week to name our first team for our first home game of the year,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“After having to sit and watch the competition last week, it’s exciting to finally get a chance play live in front of our home supporters.
“It was a huge crowd against Moana last year, so hopefully we can create that again and put in a performance that gets our fans excited and gets them coming back for the rest of the season.”
Born in Wellington and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Dearns is primed to play his first official Hurricanes match since it was announced that he would join the club from reigning Japanese champions Brave Lupus on a season-long sabbatical deal last June.
“The debutants are all a bit different. Warner has just arrived and is an exciting addition to the squad. He’s fitted in really well, and we’re excited to get him into the competition and start growing his game,” Laidlaw said.
“Matolu’s come in from the wider training group probably earlier than he expected, but with a few niggles up front, he gets his chance.
“We’ve been really impressed by his work ethic and his physicality through the pre-season, so he gets an opportunity off the bench.
“Arese was here all of last year. He’s had to show some real patience, but I think the whole team can’t wait to watch him play.
“He’s a really good guy on and off the field, he’s had a strong two NPC’s [National Provincial Championship] behind him with Taranaki, and we expect him to come on and make an impact.
“All three of them have had slightly different routes to get on the field, but we’re all really looking forward to watching them make their debuts.”
In Sydney, there has been no directive from above to shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the centres as the Waratahs star prepares to wear the No.13 for a second-straight week.
Suaalii was deployed at fullback or wing for all but one Super Rugby Pacific game in his debut season, before spending the Wallabies’ 15-Test campaign camped in the midfield.
But the code-hopper was impressive at outside centre, particularly defensively, in the Waratahs’ comprehensive defeat of the Reds in last Friday’s season opener and has retained the role to face Fijian Drua in Round Two.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, who has again left Wallabies back Andrew Kellaway out of the matchday 23 altogether, said there wasn’t an ulterior motive to the positional shift.
“I haven’t had any discussions around position, as I said last year, [Wallaby coach] Joe Schmidt didn’t care where he played,” he said of Suaalii.
“We just thought that [fullback] was a position, 12 months ago, that really suited him in his first year in rugby.
“He’s played a lot of outside centre since, so that’s where he’s picked for this week and that’s where we’re seeing him at the moment, but we’ll keep an open mind.”
McKellar said Kellaway had returned from Test duties “a bit underdone” with a niggling knee injury and would need to fight for selection.
Rugby Sevens recruit and pinpoint left-footer Sid Harvey is another unlucky omission from the side, with James Hendren retained at fullback.
Crusaders recruit Ioane Moananu has come onto the bench for concussed hooker Folau Faingaa in the only change.
“No player owns the jersey. There’s always going to be competition in good teams, and our team’s no different,” McKellar said.
“Competition drives everyone to be better, and we’re certainly seeing that.”
The Drua, who threatened a boilover in a 24-29 loss in the corresponding fixture last season, have overhauled their squad after an opening-round loss to Moana Pasifika in Lautoka.
Wallabies scrumhalf Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has been pushed to the bench, with co-captain Frank Lomani to start in the No.9 in a new halves partnership with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
The Brumbies, fresh off a big win over the Western Force, will fly to Christchurch to face the defending champion Crusaders on Sunday without Test lock Nick Frost.
Coach Stephen Larkham said the performances of his forwards meant there was no need to rush Frost back.
Prop James Slipper will play his 200th Super Rugby game, putting him within touching distance of the competition’s all-time games record holder Wyatt Crockett (202).
Darcy Swain will return to the Western Force starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with the Blues in Joondalup, north of Perth.
The 17-cap Wallaby second-rower’s injection will partly offset the loss of fellow Test talent Nick Champion de Crespigny, who is unavailable due to a knee injury sustained against the Brumbies.
Swain’s addition sees captain Jeremy Williams shuffle into the back row at blindside flanker.
The Reds, nursing an already-swollen injury ward, have a second-round bye.
*See all the teams and predictions below!
Friday, February 20
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika
(Sky Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Hurricanes by 12 points
Teams
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Jordie Barrett (captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Hugo Plummer, 3 Siale Lauaki, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Matolu Petaia, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Arese Poliko, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Billy Proctor
Moana Pasifika: 15 Simon Peter Toleafoa, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Glen Vaihu, 12 Faletoi Peni, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Siaosi Nginingini, 8 Dominic Ropeti, 7 Konrad Toelafoa, 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Alefosio Aho, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Samiuela Moli (captain), 1 Abraham Pole
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Miracle Faiilagi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 William Havili, 23 Tevita Ofa
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Waratahs v Fijian Drua
(Allianz Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.35 AEDT; 20.35 FJT; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Waratahs by 15 points
Teams
Waratahs: 15 James Hendren, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Triston Reilly
Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Ponipate Loganimasi, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre,12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (co-captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Inia Tabuavou, 23 Manasa Mataele
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Saturday, February 21
Highlanders v Chiefs
(Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Chiefs by five points
Teams
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Rohan Wingham, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Kaylum Boshier, 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 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Emoni Narawa
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Michael Winter, Ben Wollerton
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Western Force v Blues
(HIF Health Insurance Oval, Joondalup – Kick-off: 16.35 AWST; 21.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Blues by 13 points
Teams
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Divad Palu, 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 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale
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 Josh Beehre, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
Sunday, February 22
Crusaders v Brumbies
(Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 15.35 NZDT; 13.35 AEDT; 02.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Crusaders by three 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 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 George Bell, 1 Finlay Brewis
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Louis Chapman, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku
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
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
