Super Rugby, Round 12 - teams and predictions
PREVIEW: It begins in the New Zealand capital as the Hurricanes take on the Crusaders in a massive derby that could put a dent in the defending championship play-off hopes.
The side lock horns on Friday. The Crusaders are currently fourth on the log with 26 points, one point clear of the Brumbies in fifth.
But they face a major challenge, as the rest of their fixtures are against New Zealand teams.
Also on Friday, the NSW Waratahs are boosted by the return of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii against the Western Force.
On Saturday, the Fijian Drua return home to take on the Highlanders, while Moana Pasifika and the Blues battle for the 09 in Auckland.
The round concludes with an Australian derby between the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies, with the Chiefs enjoying a bye.
The Crusaders are continuing with their own hybrid-flanker project, as Rob Penny named Leicester Fainga’anuku at openside flanker for the second consecutive week.
The move was made famous by the Springboks when they used centre Andre Esterhuizen as a flanker.
Penny’s decision has been a hot topic in New Zealand, but the wing’s performance at flank last week really impressed.
“We picked Leicester there for a reason, and he did everything we asked and more,” Penney said of the selection.
“He gives us a nice balance physically and allows us to put a bit more emphasis on our pack. He’s earned another opportunity.”
Fainga’anuku will square off with All Black counterpart Du’Plessis Kirifi in Wellington, and will be joined by the returning Ethan Blackadder in the loose forward trio.
Two loose forwards have been named on the bench for the match, with Dom Gardiner named in the No.20 jersey and Johnny Lee named in the No.22.
The only other change to the starting XV is George Bower returning to the starting front row for Finlay Brewis, who has dropped out of the matchday 23.
It’s a big week for David Havili, as the Crusaders captain is in line to play his 150th match for the Crusaders and looks to steer his men to a win against the team with the best win rate in the competition.
“They look really free and unburdened,” Penney added.
“They’ve had a group together for a few years now, and it’s all starting to come together. It’s a really good challenge for us.”
See all the teams and predictions below!
Friday, May 1:
Hurricanes v Crusaders
(Hnry Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Hurricanes by five points
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Devan Flanders, 22 Ereatara Enari, 23 Jone Rova
Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Dallas McLeod, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Johnny Lee, 23 Rivez Reihana
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glenn Newman
Waratahs v Western Force
(Allianz Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.35; 17.35 AWST; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Waratahs by seven points
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Siosifa Amone, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Triston Reilly
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Zac Lomax, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Misinale Epenisa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Kurtley Beale
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
Saturday, May 2:
Fijian Drua v Highlanders
(Four R Stadium, Ba – Kick-off: 16.00; 16.30 NZST; 04.30 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Highlanders by 10 points
Teams:
Fijian Drua: 15 Isikeli Rabitu, 14 Frank Lomani, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Joji Nasova, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Isoa Tuwai, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Maika Tuitubou
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Veveni Lasaqa, 7 Nikora Broughton, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-c)
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Sean Withy, 20 Lucas Casey, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Taine Robinson, 23 Xavier Tito-Harris
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Moana Pasifika v Blues
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Blues by 10 points
Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Tevita Latu, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 10 William Havili, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Allan Craig, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millenium Sanerivi, 1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Veikoso Poloniati, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tyler Pulini
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 Xavi Taele, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ben Ake.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Terrell Peita, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 AJ Lam
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Reds v Brumbies
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19.35; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Brumbies by ten points
Teams:
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Treyvon Pritchard
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 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 Nick Frost, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Additional source: Super Rugby
