Nearly every franchise can make or break their season in their final round robin matches of Super Rugby Pacific.
Even the Blues can finish first, second or third, while at the other end of the scale, the Crusaders can still make the playoffs, which two-thirds of the competition does.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Pilkington to make her Olympics debut in laser
The round commences with the Crusaders hosting Moana Pasifika in Christchurch. A win does not assure the Christchurch-based side a position in the quarterfinals. They have to rely on various other matches going their way.
Rob Penney's side also need the Fijian Drua (vs Melbourne Rebels) and Western Force (vs ACT Brumbies) to lose in the final round to qualify for the top-eight.
The Crusaders could be saying goodbye to Ryan Crotty, Owen Franks and Joe Moody if they do not make the playoffs.
Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, Friday, 7.05pm
CRUSADERS: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, Ryan Crotty, Macca Springer, Fergus Burke, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Quinten Strange, Antonio Shalfoon, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor (capt), Joe Moody. Reserves: George Bell, George Bower, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taine Robinson, Heremaia Murray
MOANA PASIFIKA: Kyren Taumoefolau, Fine Inisi, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, William Havili, Jonathan Taumateine, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui, Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sekope Kepu, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Tomasi Maka, Ivan Fepuleai, Suetena Asomua, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Nigel Ah Wong
Referee: Angus Gardner
The Hurricanes just need a win over the Highlanders in Wellington and the Blues to lose.to ensure the finals go through Wellington and claim the minor premiership.
The Hurricanes have Asafo Aumua back from injury, which is good as Raymond Tuputupu is out for three weeks after being suspended for a dangerous tackle.
The Highlanders have co-captain Ehtna de Groot playing his 50th game for the side while Fabian Holland and Max Hicks lock the scrum.
Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Sky Stadium, Wellington, Saturday, 4.35pm
HURRICANES: Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (capt), Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Brayden Iose, DuPlessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Justin Sangster, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan
HIGHLANDERS: Finn Hurley, Connor Garden-Bachop, Matt Whaanga, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Ajay Faleafaga, James Arscott; Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon (co-capt), Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (co-capt). Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Tom Sanders, Hayden Michaels, Folau Fakatava, Jake Te Hiwi, Martín Bogado
Referee: Nic Berry
The Blues have All Blacks Caleb Clarke and Dalton Papali'i returning for a game which counts for a lot against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Finlay Christie is back, but on the bench while Marcel Renata plays his 50th for the side in a front row which needs to prove itself after it was passive against the Crusaders in the last round.
The Chiefs have loose forward Samipeni Finau, lock Jimmy Tupou and prop Ollie Norris to bolster their side for the Battle of the Bombays.
Blues vs Chiefs
Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday, 7.05pm
BLUES: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Taufa Funaki, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes
CHIEFS: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Jimmy Tupou, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Peniasi Malimali
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Comments