Super Rugby, Round 16 - teams and predictions
PREVIEW: The final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season has major finals implications in every game as the teams confirm their line-ups.
It starts in Dunedin as the Chiefs look to secure the minor premiership against the Highlanders, with the Brumbies and Crusaders facing off afterwards to jump them to the top spot if they lose.
The Blues and Waratahs battle for a finals spot on Saturday, with Moana Pasifika still in the hunt if they defeat the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The regular season concludes with the Queensland Reds facing the Fijian Drua in Brisbane, where a win and a Hurricanes defeat would enable the Reds to jump to fourth place.
The Western Force have the bye and are out of finals contention.
A “confident” Noah Lolesio has ticked all the boxes after his serious back injury, with the Wallabies playmaker suiting up for the Brumbies in their critical Super Rugby Pacific match against the Crusaders.
Queensland also have Josh Flook returning to face Fijian Drua in the final round, with the Wallabies centre not playing since injuring his hamstring in round three, while the Waratahs will head to Auckland without skipper Jake Gordon.
Chasing their first top-two finish since 2004, the Brumbies and Crusaders are both in the mix heading into their clash in Canberra on Friday night.
The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders (45) and the Brumbies (43), with four points on offer for a win.
A top-two finish is rewarded with a home qualifying final and most like a home semifinal.
Lolesio was stretchered from the field earlier this month in a neck brace with initial fears he had suffered a spinal injury but Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said the 25-year-old was raring to go.
James O’Connor has been included on the Crusaders bench, with both players looking to impress ahead of Wallabies selection for the upcoming Lions series.
“Noah responded extremely positively to treatment,” Larkham said.
“He got through his rehab and trained really well the back end of last week. He’s confident heading into this weekend and it’s great to have him back in the side.”
In other Brumbies line-up changes for the Canberra match, prop Feao Fotuaika and Tuaina Taii Tualima come into the starting line-up, with Tom Hooper moving to the second row to accommodate the latter at No.8.
The Reds have selected an unchanged pack, with Seru Uru, who also signed a new one-year deal this week, still sidelined with a knee injury.
With a finals berth secured, Queensland could finish as high as fourth if they win and the Hurricanes, who play Moana Pasifika, lose.
The NSW Waratahs’ hopes of snapping a 16-year losing streak at Eden Park suffered a blow with scrumhalf Gordon unable to recover from a hamstring strain.
Hard-working flanker Charlie Gamble (calf) has been replaced by Jamie Adamson while Test winger Andrew Kellaway has recovered from illness to relegate Darby Lancaster to the bench.
The Waratahs need the win, and other results to fall their way, to sneak into the finals and will have to rely on a rookie halves pairing.
Coach Dan McKellar has opted for Jack Bowen ahead of Tane Edmed to partner No.9 Teddy Wilson.
“Jack, along with Teddy Wilson, had a huge impact last week under pressure with his calm, direction and vision in attack,” McKellar said.
“He has earned this start with his consistent hard work throughout the season in both training and his game time off the bench.
“This is a big game with a lot at stake. He is ready for a big game opportunity like this.”
The Western Force has the final-round bye.
* All the Round 16 teams and predictions are below …
Friday, May 30
HIGHLANDERS V CHIEFS
(Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by 16 points
Teams
HIGHLANDERS: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Taniela Filimore, 10 Cam Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Sean Withy, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Tai Cribb, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-captain).
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Michael Loft, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
CHIEFS: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Jared Proffit.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 George Dyer, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
BRUMBIES V CRUSADERS
(Canberra Stadium – Kick-off: 19:35; 21.35 NZ time; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Brumbies by five points
Teams
BRUMBIES: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, , 4 Nick Frost, 3 Feao Fotuaika, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Lington Ieli, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.
CRUSADERS: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Lewis Ponini, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
Saturday, May 31
BLUES V WARATAHS
(Eden Park, Auckland – Kick-off: 16.35; 14.35 AEST; 04.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Blues by 12 points
Teams
BLUES: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Cole Forbes.
WARATAHS: 15 Lawson Creighton, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Henry O’Donnell, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Hugh Sinclair (captain), 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Darby Lancaster.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Paul Williams, George Myers
TMO: Brett Cronan
HURRICANES V MOANA PASIFIKA
(Wellington Regional Stadium – Kick-off: 19:05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Hurricanes by 15 points
Teams
HURRICANES: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Billy Proctor (co-captain), 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Hugo Plummer, 4 Zach Gallagher, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Brad Shields (co-captain), 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jone Rova, 23 Tjay Clarke.
MOANA PASIFIKA: 15 Tevita Ofa, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Lalomilo Lalamilo, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Lotu Inisi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Pepesana Patafilo.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper
TMO: Glenn Newman
REDS V FIJIAN DRUA
(Lang Park, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19.35; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Reds by nine points
Teams
REDS: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Joe Brial, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Sef Fa’agase.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 John Bryant, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
FIJIAN DRUA: 15 Selestino Ravutaumada, 14 Ponipate Loganimasi, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Philip Baselala, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Joseva Tamani, 20 Elia Canakiavata, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Inia Tabuavou, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
