Super Rugby, Round 13 - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: Super Rugby Pacific is heading into the business end of the season, with all teams locked in and confirmed for Round 13.
With just four rounds remaining, the race for the top six is intensifying, while the fight for the all-important top-two finish – and home semifinal advantage – is really beginning to take shape.
Almost every side still has something to play for in the playoff hunt, but the path to the finals is becoming increasingly unforgiving.
Round 13 opens with a classic Kiwi derby that could prove decisive in shaping the top end of the table, before attention shifts to a blockbuster clash as the Queensland Reds host the Chiefs in what shapes as one of the matches of the weekend.
Saturday’s action sees the Highlanders welcome a desperate NSW Waratahs side, while the ACT Brumbies will be aiming to reset their campaign when they take on the Western Force.
The round wraps up in Canberra, where the Brumbies will be eager to bounce back against an in-form Western Force outfit.
The Fijian Drua have the bye following their dramatic late win over the Highlanders in Ba.
A host of injuries have been confirmed in the team lists for Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Hurricanes are set to be without Cam Roigard for potentially the rest of the regular season after a calf injury.
Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs are without skipper Matt Philip (calf) and Joey Walton (neck) for their must-win match against the Highlanders.
The Crusaders went toe-to-toe with competition favourites the Hurricanes in Wellington last week, with their forward pack particularly standing out in a gritty, high-intensity performance.
The Blues, by contrast, were below their best against Moana Pasifika but will welcome back some important reinforcements for this clash, including AJ Lam and Dalton Papali’i. Beauden Barrett is again set to provide impact off the bench.
The Crusaders remain without Will Jordan, yet their consistency and home advantage could still prove decisive in what shapes up as a tight contest. Expect them to edge it in front of their home crowd.
The game of the round is undoubtedly the one if Brisbane where the Reds, back at home again this week, have won two of their last three and could have toppled the Blues at Super Round, too. Flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips continues to impress and the centre pairing of Josh Flook and Hunter Paisami is in excellent form. Fraser McReight had one of his best games of the season last week, too.
The Chiefs will be fresh after last week’s bye, and bring a loaded squad to Brisbane for this key clash. If the Reds hold out any hope of a home quarterfinal, a win is a must here. They are good enough to get it, too, but must go the full 80. Still, the Chiefs pack should see them home here.
*See all the teams and predictions below!
Friday, May 8
Crusaders v Blues
(One NZ Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05, 08.05 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Crusaders y three points
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Leciester Fainga’anuku, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Kurtis Macdonald
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Malachi Wrampling, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Sam Matenga, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Xavi Taele
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Queensland Reds v Chiefs
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19.35 AEST, 09.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Chiefs by two points
Teams:
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Lachie Anderson, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 George Blake
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Treyvon Pritchard
Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Tyrone Thompson, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Fiti Sa, 20 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Lalakai Foketi
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glenn Newman
Saturday, May 9
Highlanders v NSW Waratahs
(Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 16.35, 05.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Highlanders by 10 points
Teams:
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Adam Lennox, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Lucas Casey, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 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 Oliver Haig, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Nic Shearer, 22 Taine Robinson, 23 Xavier Tito-Harris
Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Miles Amatosero, 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Isaac Kailea
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Clem Halaholo, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Harry Potter
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, George Myers
TMO: James Leckie
Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland – Kick-off: 19.05, 08.05 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Hurricanes by 27 points
Teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Faletoi Peni, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 4 Allan Craig, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Lolani Falevia, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Latu
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jone Rova, 11 Fehi Fieanganofo, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 6 Brad Shields, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Vernon Bason, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Hugo Plummer, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Bailyn Sullivan, 23 Kini Naholo
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Brumbies v Western Force
(GIO Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 19.35 AEST, 09.35 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Brumbies by three points
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Hudson Creighton, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Toby Macpherson, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper
Replacement: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Chris Mickelson, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andy Muirhead
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 (c), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Kurtley Beale
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
