top of page

Super Rugby Pacific pressure on NZ teams

Ruben Love on the burst for the Hurricanes who are away to the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific round five PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
Ruben Love on the burst for the Hurricanes who are away to the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific round five PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

After the upsets of the previous week Super Rugby Pacific round five stacks up with some key contests across the competition.


Firstly the Highlanders host the Hurriccanes with Saula Ma'u and Ethan de Groot returning to start for the home side.


LATEST HEADLINES:


The Hurricanes have Tyrel Lomax and Asafo Aumua back in front row reserves as All Blacks return to the squad. Only Billy Proctor is still on the sideline.


Can the visitors control the destructive power of Timoci Tavatavanawai in the midfield? Iff not they'll find themselves looking at another defeat.


Highlanders v Hurricanes, 7:05pm Friday 14 March, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (capt), Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie; Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka (TK) Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jake Te Hiwi


Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Harry Godfrey, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, DuPlessis Kirifi (co-capt), Brad Shields (co-capt), Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Tevita Mafileo, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Hohepa, Fatafehi Fineanganofo.


The Crusaders actually won last round, unlike the other kiwi franchises. However victory against the Force is never reassured as the West Australia side can be determined if nothing else.


For the home side Braydon Ennor returns after yet another injury spell while Macca Springer starts for the first time this season.


Ethan Blackadder is on the reserves as Corey Kellow stars alongside Tom Christie and Cristian Lio-Willie.


The all-international front row of Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams won't have things all their own way against the Force's Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter and Marc Grealy with Atu Moli on the bench.


Crusaders v Force, 4:35pm Saturday 15 March, Apollo Projects Stadium


Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (capt), Macca Springer, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Corey Kellow, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Aumua.


The replay of last season's final will see the Blues try and string together a full 80 minute performance as the pressure mounts on their season.


The Chiefs have Damian McKenzie back at No 10 with Josh Jacomb to the bench. The back trio of Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter and Shaun Stevenson are pretty formidable while Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown have been in form.


The Blues are missing Beauden Barrett, but have Stephen Perofeta back on the bench along with Finlay Christie.


Cameron Suafoa was one of the few bright notes in last weeks loss but is on the bench as Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i and Cameron Christie fill the loose forward spots.


Chiefs v Blues, 7.05pm, Saturday 15 March, FMG Stadium, Hamilton


Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe; Luke Jacobson (capt), Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona.


Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Sam Nock; Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Christie, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay. Reserves: Nathaniel Pole, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam.

bottom of page