Hohepa at No 10 for Canes; Crusaders poised
- Dave Worsley
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
There are more injury concerns for the Hurricanes heading into Round 7 of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Riley Hohepa will start at first-five when the Canes host the NSW Waratahs at Sky Stadium on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm), in place of Harry Godfrey, who is out for 4-6 weeks.
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Asafo Aumua will co-captain the home team, alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi, for the first time this season.
The forward pack will be powerful, especially with Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax named in the starting XV.
NPC stand-out player and North Harbour wing Kade Banks will look to impress off the bench and Sevens Fatafehi Fineanganofo will show his speed.
Hurricanes vs NSW Waratahs, 7.05pm Friday, March 28, Sky Stadium, Wellington
HURRICANES: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Riley Hohepa, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, DuPlessis Kirifi (co-captain), Brayden Iose, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-captain), Xavier Numia. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Jordi Viljoen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks
The Highlanders have All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot on a rest week, but still ahve plenty of power and flare in the backline.
Caleb Tangitau has been a breath of fresh air on the win and has Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Timoci Tavatavanawai inside him. The now experienced pair of Mitch Dunshea and Fabian Holland will lock the scrum
ACT Brumbies vs Highlanders, 9.35pm Friday, March 28, GIO Stadium, Canberra
HIGHLANDERS: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie; Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka (TK) Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Ajay Faleafaga, Tanielu Tele’a
Meanwhile, Ardie Savea returns as captain at No 8 and wing Solomon Alaimalo has recovered from a shoulder problem to start for Moana Pasifika against a Crusaders side who could take over top spot with a win.
There are five changes in their pack, with Tito Tuipulotu and Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou starting as props, Samuel Slade promoted to lock and Semisi Paea making his first start of the season at openside flanker.
Tevita Ofa will also start on the right wing for the first time as Tana Umaga’s side target their first win against the Crusaders.
For the home side, James O'Connor starts at first-five with Noah Hotham inside him at halfback, while Ethan Blackadder should definitely start on the side of the scrum.
David Havilli captains the Crusaders, with his brother William in the Moana Pasifika backline.
Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika, 7.05pm Saturday, March 29, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
MOANA PASIFIKA: William Havili, Tevita Ofa, Pepesana Patafilo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Ardie Savea (captain), Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi, Allan Craig, Samuel Slade, Feleti Sae-ta'ufo'ou, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Reserves: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna Tuitama
CRUSADERS: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (captain), Macca Springer, James O'Connor, Noah Hotham, Fletcher Anderson, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, George Bower. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi Aumua