THE Rebels will be missing significant star power against the Highlanders as Adam Coleman, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty and Geoff Parling were all ruled out.
It is smooth sailing for the Waratahs, however, with Daryl Gibson naming an unchanged side.
Read on for all the latest round 19 Super Rugby team news.
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CHIEFS v HURRICANES in Hamilton, Friday 5.35pm AEST
The Chiefs will be without stars Damian McKenzie and Sam Cane for the derby against the Hurricanes, but have regained the services of All Blacks ace Brodie Retallick.
Five-eighth McKenzie has to sit out in the second of his enforced All Blacks rest weeks while co-captain Cane is recovering from a concussion.
Test hooker Nathan Harris (thigh) and outside back Sean Wainui (shoulder) are also missing.
McKenzie’s brother Marty replaces him in the No 10 jersey while Mitch Karpik will wear Cane’s No 7.
Lock Retallick has been out for six weeks with a pectoral injury.
The Hurricanes (50 points) are second in the New Zealand conference with the Chiefs (45) third with the two sides likely to meet again in Wellington in next week’s quarterfinals.
“We’re going out there to put on a great performance, it could be our last game at home,” Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said.
“We want to make sure that wherever there is an opportunity, that we grab it.
“We look forward to playing our own game, and are also aware of what the Hurricanes bring.
“They showed against the Blues how good they are off the set piece — and we’ve done some work around our set piece defence — but with ball in hand, our focus is on what we can do.
“Marty will be the game driver at No 10 and we are confident that he can control the game really well.”
Meanwhile, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made three changes to his starting line-up.
Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen, lock Michael Fatialofa and winger Ben Lam replace Ben May, Vaea Fifita and Julian Savea.
Fifita has a toe injury.
“He didn’t play for us before the June break, because of injury, and then didn’t get a lot of time with the All Blacks,” Boyd said.
“It’s not ideal for him.
“He hasn’t had a lot of constant football for us in the last six or eight weeks, but he’s a helluva athlete and we’d hope that he’ll come right.”
CHIEFS (15-1): Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai (c), Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Jesse Parete, Mitch Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta’avao, Liam Polwart, Sam Prattley
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Jeff Thwaites, Michael Allardice, Liam Messam, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Johnny Faauli
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Sam Henwood, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Gareth Evans, Reed Prinsep, Finlay Christie, Ihaia West, Julian Savea
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ)
Venue: FMG Stadium
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REDS v SUNWOLVES in Brisbane, Friday 7.45pm AEST
Departing Reds stars George Smith and Kane Douglas will miss the season ending clash against the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium.
Wallabies legend Smith has failed to overcome a lingering knee injury as the 37-year-old prepares to take up his next contract in England with the Bristol Bears.
Former Test lock Douglas, meanwhile, was simply overlooked by coach Brad Thorn and will watch from the sidelines before joining French club Bordeaux.
The Reds are out of playoff contention.
“It’s unfortunate that George doesn’t get an opportunity to play in the Reds jersey one final time, but we thought it was in his best interests to listen to his body and sit this one out,” Thorn said.
“He has given plenty to us and to Australian rugby as a whole and we wish him all the best with the rest of his career.
“Kane Douglas has done a great job for us this season, but with him moving overseas, we felt we should give opportunities to younger players.”
That mindset means Wallaby Lukhan Tui gets a start in the second row and Australian under-20s lock Angus Blyth is in line for a Super Rugby debut off the bench.
Another Junior Wallaby, halfback Tate McDermott, gets his first Reds start ahead of Moses Sorovi.
“(Blyth) has been working away, waiting to get a taste at this level,” Thorn said.
“He’s one to watch for the future.
“With Tate McDermott and Moses Sorovi, they’re both exciting young players with plenty to offer.
“This is Tate’s first opportunity in the starting side and we know Moses will provide some spark off the bench.
“The Sunwolves are a dangerous attacking team.
“They’ve got some clever plays and a smart kicking game, so we need to be switched on and prepared for anything.”
The Sunwolves also have a couple of Queenslanders in their pack with Ed Quirk named to start at open side flanker and James Moore at lock.
REDS (15-1): Jono Lance, Filipo Daugunu, Jordan Petaia, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Hamish Stewart, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham (c), Liam Wright, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela
SUNWOLVES (15-1): Jason Emery, Yoshikazu Fujita, Michael Little, Harumichi Tatekawa, Akihito Yamada, Hayden Parker, Yutaka Nagare (c), Willie Britz, Ed Quirk, Michael Leitch, Wimpie van der Walt, James Moore, Takuma Asahara, Yusuke Niwai, Craig Millar
Reserves: Jaba Bregvadze, Keita Inagaki, Hencus van Wyk, Kazuki Himeno, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rikiya Matsuda, Ryoto Nakamura
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
HIGHLANDERS v REBELS in Dunedin, Saturday 3.15pm AEST
The Highlanders will be without All Blacks trio Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock when they host playoff hopefuls the Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The three stars are required to sit out the match as their second rest week as an All Blacks agreement while coach Aaron Mauger has also decided to rest senior players Elliot Dixon, Ash Dixon and Rob Thompson.
Flanker James Lentjes will captain the team while Thomas Umaga-Jensen will make his Super Rugby debut at centre.
It is likely to be the final home game for five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, who is joining Wasps at the end of the season.
Sopoaga has scored 840 points for the Highlanders in 90 games.
“I have loved my time here at the Highlanders,” Sopoaga said.
“It is an unreal place to play Super Rugby and I’m looking forward to being back out there under the roof in front of our home fans this weekend.
“I’m focused on finishing the season well before looking ahead to the next chapter of mine and my family’s life in the UK.”
Meanwhile, the Rebels will also be missing some significant star power after Test players Adam Coleman, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty and Geoff Parling were all ruled out.
The Rebels indicated Coleman (adductor) and Genia (arm) are likely to be available should they make the finals while Haylett-Petty (knee) and Parling (shoulder) were dinged up in last week’s loss to the Reds.
Sefa Naivalu and Ross Haylett-Petty are promoted to start on the wing and at lock respectively while props Fereti Sa’aga and Sam Talakai come in for Tetera Faulkner and Jermaine Ainsley.
“We’ve had a good week and are looking forward to the challenge in Dunedin,” Rebels coach Dave Wessels said.
“Everyone has embraced the areas of our performance we weren’t happy with last week.
“It wasn’t at the standard that we set for ourselves.
“But we know that if we play with intensity we’re capable of beating any team in this comp.
“We won’t shy away from the fact this is a big game for our club and supporters in Melbourne, just like we won’t shy away from the excitement of the reward on offer.
“We set out at the start of the season to play in a way that would make the people of Melbourne proud and we really want to do that again on Saturday night.”
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Josh Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Liam Squire, James Lentjes (c), Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Alex Ainley, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Aki Seuili
Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Tom Franklin, Dillon Hunt, Josh Renton, Matt Faddes, Josh McKay
REBELS (15-1): Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Tom English (c), Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Michael Ruru, Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga’a, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Sam Talakai, Anaru Rangi, Fereti Sa’aga
Reserves: Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Jeffries, Richard Hardwick, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Lopeti Timani
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
CRUSADERS v BLUES in Christchurch, Saturday 5.35pm AEST
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to his starting side as he freshens up his squad ahead of the finals.
Loose-head prop Joe Moody is out with a knee injury while hooker Codie Taylor and lock Scott Barrett are also absent as they fulfil the second week of their All Blacks rest requirements.
Tight-head prop Owen Franks, fullback David Havili and halfback Bryn Hall are the others to drop out as Israel Dagg gets a rare opportunity to strut his stuff in the No 15 jersey.
“David has been absolutely outstanding, that’s a tough call,” Robertson said.
“Dagger deserves an opportunity.
“He is a great player and has been great for us.
“It’s his chance to take an opportunity.
“I thought it was one of Dave’s best games last week, and now it is in Dagger’s court.”
Meanwhile, Blues coach Tana Umaga has stuck with his under fire midfield combination of Rieko Ioane and Michael Collins.
Ioane, the All Blacks winger and Collins, usually a fullback, were brutally exposed in defence by the Hurricanes last weekend as wrecking ball Ngani Laumape ran amok for four tries in a 42-24 win.
But with a long injury list and few other options, Umaga has named a settled line-up barring an enforced change at lock where Ben Nee-Nee replaces the crocked Matiaha Martin.
It will be club great Jerome Kaino’s final match before taking up a contract with Toulouse.
“This game means a lot,” Umaga said.
“We want to send Jerome off in the best possible fashion.
“We are going into a cauldron in Christchurch, but we have to go with eyes wide open and also take confidence from the game last week.
“We’ve worked on the areas that were pretty obvious in terms of our defence but there will be no lack of motivation to play against the Crusaders.
“Our forward effort was good last week but we know it needs to go another notch and I think some of the play by our backs, that in tough times they started to find their confidence.
“For us we have to do well on both sides of the ball.
“We had some individual lapses in defence and that’s something we’ve worked on.
“We need to stick to what we train.
“We need to be consistent in the execution of our plans and finish off opportunities when we create them.
“They are a quality side and have been for a long time but we are excited to get out there and do our best for us and for Jerome.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (c), Quinten Strange, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry
Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Wyatt Crockett, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele
BLUES (15-1): Matt Duffie, Melani Nanai, Michael Collins, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu (c), Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Ben Nee-Nee, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tuungafasi, Matt Moulds, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: Ross Wright, Pauliasi Manu, Sione Mafileo, Jacob Pierce, Murphy Taramai, Sam Nock, Bryn Gatland, Tamati Tua
Referee: Federico Anselmi (ARG)
Venue: AMI Stadium
WARATAHS v BRUMBIES in Sydney, Saturday 7.45pm AEST
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has the luxury of naming an unchanged line-up from the one that slaughtered the Sunwolves 77-25 last weekend.
The Waratahs have locked up top spot in the Australian conference and are now looking to finish second overall in Super Rugby’s curious playoff system.
“Part of our strategy is to try and keep combinations together, and it’s up to those players to really earn it through their performances,” Gibson said.
“As a coaching team we feel that they are doing that and deserve their spots.
“For both sides there’s real incentive there on the outcome of the game.
“The Brumbies need a bonus point win to have a chance to quality and for us the real carrot of knowing if you progress in this tournament of giving yourself the opportunity through having a home semi-final potentially.”
NSW hadn’t daydreamed ahead to potential quarterfinal opponents.
“We haven’t looked beyond this game,” Gibson said.
“We know there’s a lot riding on this fixture and we want to perform.
“The finals series will take care of itself and we will just wait and see who we get.”
Meanwhile, twin towers Rory and Richie Arnold will start a Super Rugby game together for the first time as Brumbies coach Dan McKellar made two changes.
The 2.08m twins are part of a supersized pack which sees lock Blake Enever switch to blindside flanker in place of the concussed Tom Cusack.
Test prop Scott Sio also makes a welcome return as the Brumbies look to upset the Australian conference leaders and potentially sneak into the top eight finals.
Sio’s return sees loose-head Nic Mayhew — impressive in last week’s loss to the Chiefs — drop back to the bench.
Co-captain Sam Carter remains on the injured list with Christian Lealiifano to again lead the side.
Lealiifano is off contract at the end of the season but McKellar wasn’t stressed about the prospect of losing the five-eighth.
“I’m quietly confident that he’ll be in Canberra for at least another year,” McKellar said.
“I don’t want to go putting any extra pressure on him at the moment around forcing him to make a decision before what’s a big game.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Israel Folau, Cam Clark, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Bernard Foley (c), Nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Will Miller, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson
Reserves: Tolu Latu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Paddy Ryan, Tom Staniforth, Brad Wilkin, Jake Gordon, Bryce Hegarty, Alex Newsome
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano (c), Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Blake Enever, Richie Arnold, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Sam Carter, Lachlan McCaffrey, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Lausii Taliauli
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
LIONS v BULLS in Johannesburg, Saturday 11.05pm AEST
SPRINGBOK winger Courtnall Skosan will make his long awaited return to Super Rugby after being named for his first match of the season against the Bulls on Saturday.
Skosan, who suffered a knee injury in the pre-season training, returned to action in the SuperSport local domestic series but is back for the Lions as they attempt to lock down top spot in the South African conference for the third year running.
His return sees fellow Test winger, Aphiwe Dyantyi, drop back on the bench for the game.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin has also promoted halfback Nic Groom over Springbok No 9 Ross Cronje.
“We are very close (to full strength), we are very blessed to have the right guys at the right time,” de Bruin said.
“I think the only guy missing here from the team at the start of the year, or last year November is Jaco Kriel. The rest of the guys have recovered and we are very pleased about that.
“For exactly the same reason, and we have worked on the rotation system from the word go.
“They are two very good scrumhalves and every game that Nic has played he has done well, and so has Ross since he has been back from his injury.
“It is rotation and a bit tactical as well.”
While the Lions are close to full strength, the Bulls have lost Test playmaker Handre Pollard for their final match of the season.
Pollard picked up a back injury in last weekend’s victory over the Jaguares in Pretoria.
Manie Libbok while start at fly-half in his place, while and Ivan van Zyl completes the halfback combination.
Coach John Mitchell also named RG Snyman as captain as a number of injuries hampered selection, ruling out regular captain Burger Odendaal and stand-in, Pollard.
Winger Travis Ismaiel is fit again and return to the team though, with Divan Rossouw moving to the bench.
Mitchell tweaked the pack as well following their win over the Jaguares last weekend, with Jannes Kirsten moving to lock and Thembelani Bholi coming in at flank.
Mitchell challenged the squad to deliver one more performance to be proud of in this Jukskei derby.
“I asked the team for an extraordinary performance to close the season out,” Mitchell said.
“The other option is to just settle for an easy way to end the season, but that is not who we are as a team.
Snyman also urged on his teammates to end the season well.
“One can expect the Lions to come out firing as they have everything to play for,” he said.
“This will be a massive contest, a typical South African derby if you like.
“This gives us a proper opportunity to show what we stand for as a team one more time.”
LIONS (15-1): Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom; Warren Whiteley (c), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen
Reserves: Corne Fourie, Johannes Jonker, Jacobie Adriaanse, Lourens Erasmus, Marnus Schoeman/Hacjivah Dayimani, Ross Cronje, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Howard Mnisi/Shaun Reynolds
BULLS (15-1): Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Johnny Kotze, Jamba Ulengo, Manie Libbok, Ivan van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Thembelani Bholi, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman (c), Jannes Kirsten, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman
Reserves: Johan Grobbelaar, Matthys Basson, Mornay Smit, Ruan Nortje, Nick de Jager, Embrose Papier, Boeta Hamman, Divan Rossouw
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Venue: Ellis Park
SHARKS v JAGUARES in Durban, Sunday 1.15am AEST
SHARKS coach Robert du Preez has made just a couple of changes to his side ahead of their must win match over the Jaguares.
The Sharks must beat the Jaguares, who have already qualified for the playoffs, and hope the Rebels lose to the Highlanders to secure the final place in the top eight standings.
After being rested during their narrow loss to the Stormers in Cape Town, Test loosehead prop, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira returns to the starting line up.
Number eight Daniel du Preez has been declared fit despite being in major doubt all week ebcause of a neck injury picked up during last week’s defeat.
On the win, Kobus van Wyk replaced injured Test winger S’bu Nkosi.
Meanwhile, with a playoff spot already secured, head coach Mario Ledesma has rung the changes in order to rest his first-choice team ahead of next weekend.
Up front, there is a new front-row as Javier Diaz, Santiago Medrano and Julian Montoya come in while second-row Tomas Lavanini, flank Marcos Kremer and No 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón are the other new faces in the pack.
The backline is also freshened up as Martin Landajo and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla are the halfbacks, Bautista Ezcurra comes in at No 12, while Sebastian Cancelliere is on the left wing, with Ramiro Moyano moving to fullback.
SHARKS (15-1): Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder, Daniel du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha (c), Tyler Paul, Thomas du Toit, Akker van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira
Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Hyron Andrews, Wian Vosloo, Cameron Wright, Marius Louw, Makazole Mapimpi
JAGUARES (15-1): Ramiro Moyano, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Bautista Ezcurra, Sebastian Cancelliere, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Martin Landajo, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (c), Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Javier Diaz
Reserves: Agustin Creevy, Santiago Garcia Botta, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Guido Petti, Javier Ortega Desio, Gonzalo Bertranou, Nicolas Sanchez, Emiliano Boffelli
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Venue: Kings Park
BYE: STORMERS
