Crusaders v Hurricanes
Welcome news for the Hurricanes ahead of the playoffs is Cam Roigard’s return at halfback and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax after two months out, for their regular season game against the Crusaders in Wellington on Friday
With some key players being rested, or battling injuries, for the final round of the regular season, openside flanker Cooper Flanders has been given his Super Rugby Pacific debut, while No8 Arese Poliko will play his second game. Brad Shields, on the blindside flank, will captain the side.
Callum Harkin will start at first five-eighths with Ruben Love being rested.
Making their debuts in the backline will be centre Josh Timu, son of former All Black John, and a former Highlanders and Sunwolves player, and wing Taniela Filimone, another former Highlanders player, New England Free Jack and a five-Test player for Tonga.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “The three guys getting their debuts have worked hard since November, in here every day with their heads down, and they deserve their opportunity to play. We can’t wait to see them play in front of a full house.”
Should he be called off the bench, Bailyn Sullivan will register his 50th game for the side.
Laidlaw said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the 50 club. It’s something that’s well-deserved with the longevity and consistency that he’s shown over the last few years. He’s an integral part of the squad.”
Having quickly become accustomed to their new roofed stadium, the Crusaders will relish nothing more than beating the Hurricanes to deny the Blues a home playoff game.
The ground has been sold out again, and special hometown hero and Super Rugby’s leading tryscorer wing Sevu Reece will be receiving all the attention, given it is his 100th appearance for the side.
Knowing there was a chance to complete the milestone, he made it his focus during the campaign.
“This whole week I’ve been looking back to the Fijian kid who first came down to Christchurch just to train as injury cover. Getting the chance to play one game was a blessing, and now getting to do it 100 times is amazing.”
Coach Rob Penney acknowledged Reece’s achievement, saying he had X-factor with his work rate.
“That’s been a hallmark of him since he’s been here. He’s much loved around the group and a crowd favourite. Week to week he’s always leading metres, high-speed metres and intensity.”
The game will also provide a delayed debut for midfield back Cooper Roberts. Injury denied the former NZ Under-20 player an earlier start.
“To get this opportunity in the last round, under the roof, I’m stoked and grateful. I’ve never played in front of that many people, so it’s going to be cool.”
With Will Jordan out after suffering a calf injury against the Chiefs, Johnny McNicholl has returned at fullback. Halfback Noah Hotham and first five-eighths Rivez Reihana are starting again as the Crusaders have taken a more cautious route in choosing their side.
Queensland Reds v Drua
The Reds go into their Brisbane game with the Drua knowing they could finish the weekend anywhere from fourth to sixth for the playoffs. To ensure their highest possible finish, they are welcoming back Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Aidan Ross.
Salakaia-Loto has been on paternity leave and will partner Josh Canham at lock while Ross is back at loosehead prop. Blindside flanker Joe Brial is being rested with a bench start after starting in the first 13 earlier games of the campaign. Seru Uru will start in his place.
Hunter Paisami will be back at second five-eighths to partner Josh Flook in the midfield, while Treyvon Pritchard will start at fullback.
Coach Les Kiss said, “We are not in control of the permutations for the finals, so all our focus is on addressing this game and getting the win. The Drua are a dangerous proposition.
“They showed with their win over the Brumbies in Canberra how strong they are. They are extremely tough customers at the breakdown with the turnovers they force and everyone knows they can counterattack from anywhere if you let them.”
The Drua have lost their last two games to the Reds, and have beaten them three times in Brisbane. Australia hasn’t been a happy place for the Fijians, with only their win over the Brumbies in their last 16 games on Australian soil.
ACT Brumbies v Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika are taking a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude into what may be their last Super Rugby Pacific game, against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
Coach Tana Umaga said, “We’ve got to be confident in what we’re doing. We’re not going over there just to make up some numbers, we want to go over there and get a good result for ourselves.”
Umaga is looking for captain and flanker Miracle Faiilagi and No8 Semisi Tupou Te’eiloa to make an impact. Tupou Ta’eiloa has had an impressive impact in the statistical measures, appearing in the top 10 in three categories – 8th in carries, 8th in defenders beaten, and 10th in tackles.
Lock Allan Craig is another key contributor and sits fourth in tackles with 162 to date.
Wing Israel Leota’s, 21, late-season form sees him starting on the wing again with Glen Vaihu on the other flank. Patrick Pellegrini has retained the first five-eighths role in combination with halfback Augustine Pulu.
Depending on the results, the Brumbies, if they can obtain a bonus point win, could yet gain a top-three place if results go their way. They will have Charlie Cale back on board at flanker after recovering from a shoulder injury.
But coach Stephen Larkham said they are not resting players because they are looking for the win, and they had a bye two weeks ago, so players are fresh.
“We’ve picked a team that reflects that. We had a good win over the Waratahs and there was a lot of pressure going into that game. We knew that result determined both teams’ future in the competition, and we’re through.”
Chiefs v Blues
Safely ensconced in second place with a home advantage, the Chiefs have rested some key players for the game against the Blues in Hamilton.
That’s left No8 Wallace Sititi to debut as captain for the Chiefs as both vice-captains, second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea and lock Tupou Vaa’i, are joining regular captain Luke Jacobson in getting a pre-playoffs breather.
First five-eighths Damian McKenzie is still recovering from a concussion, while halfback Xavier Roe has a hamstring issue. Reon Paul and Daniel Rona will be paired in the midfield. In the front row, prop Ollie Norris is out with a knee injury, giving Jared Proffit a start.
Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Josh Lord are at lock with Samipeni Finau and Jahrome Brown operating off the flanks of the scrum.
Coach Jono Gibbes said his choice of Sititi is down to his steady influence within the team.
“We have a number of leaders in our group, and I appreciate the way Wallace handles himself on and off the field.
“We’ve earned the right to manage the team how we want thanks to the efforts of everyone through the season. We can freshen some guys up, but we also know the intensity of the playoffs means injuries are possible, so it’s good to be able to give more players an opportunity so, when called upon, everyone is ready to play.”
Injuries have forced the Blues to make changes. Beauden Barrett is out with a quad strain, which will see Stephen Perofeta start at first five-eighths.
In the pack, prop Joshua Fusitu’a will come off the bench for his first game since round two, having recovered from a bicep injury, while Josh Beehre’s recovery from a back injury is timely as lock Patrick Tuipulotu is unavailable due to a neck injury.
And there is a reward for hooker Eli Oudenryn after his Blues Toa season with a potential debut from the bench. Outside back Corey Evans could also come off the bench for his first game of the season after recovering from a serious ankle injury.
Coach Vern Cotter said, “Every week at this stage of the season carries significance, and this one is no different. Our focus this week is on ourselves and executing our gameplay.
“We know what’s on the line heading into Hamilton and we’re excited by the opportunity. The Chiefs are a quality side and playing them away is always a huge challenge.”
Western Force v NSW Waratahs
Wallabies places are the incentive now that both the Force and Waratahs are out of the running for playoff places when they meet in Perth on Saturday.
For the Waratahs, the interest is in the return of league convert Joseph Aukuso Suaalii for his fourth start of the year. Had last week’s game with the Brumbies been a finals game, Suaalii may have started, but coach Dan McKellar said the collective feeling between management and medical staff was that he should have another week to get quality minutes ahead of the Wallabies campaign.
McKellar said, “’Su’ has been disappointed that he hasn’t been able to play and stream games together across the last couple of seasons for the Waratahs, but, it’s the nature of the sport we play.”
Also returning is halfback Jake Gordon, who has recovered from illness, and No8 Peter Samu, who had a knee injury.
The Force will welcome back first five-eighths Ben Donaldson from the quad injury he suffered, and also centre George Bridge, who was rested last week after his intensive role for the side. Donaldson needs only 11 points to post his century for the season.
With four wins out of their last five games, there is plenty for the Force to play for, and ace try-scoring flanker Carlo Tizzano has the chance to become the highest try scorer for the Force should he score his 31st try.
