REBELS coach Dave Wessels has been able to call on three fit again Wallabies as the men from Melbourne chase their first ever finals berth in Friday’s crucial Super Rugby derby against the Reds in Brisbane.
Read on for all the latest round 18 team news.
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CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS in Christchurch, Friday 5.35pm AEST
As if the defending champion, table topping Crusaders needed to get any stronger, they’re about to become just that with the return of All Blacks skipper Kieran Read for the southern derby against the Highlanders.
The world class No 8 hasn’t played since undergoing spinal surgery in December but got through a 40 minute hitout for provincial side Counties Manukau last week.
Read slots into the starting lineup while reserve prop Wyatt Crockett is poised to become the first man to play 200 games of Super Rugby.
AMI Stadium has been renamed ‘Wyatt Crockett Stadium’ for the occasion.
The 35-year-old former All Black became the most capped Super Rugby player of alltime in 2017 when he broke Keven Mealamu’s record of 175 games.
“To reach 200 games at this level takes an immense amount of talent, commitment, and personal sacrifice over a long period of time, and Crocky certainly sets the benchmark for passion and professionalism among our group,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
“Crocky continues to make a massive contribution to the Crusaders jersey in what is his 13th season with the club.
“He’s well respected by the squad and management alike, and is the ultimate team man.
“We are proud to be able to celebrate this achievement with him.”
Meanwhile, Highlanders flanker Liam Squire could be set for a return to Super Rugby.
Squire suffered a shoulder injury in the June Test series against France and has been bracketed with Elliot Dixon at blindside flanker.
A final assessment of Squire’s fitness will be made closer to kickoff.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has also promoted James Lentjes to start at openside flanker ahead of Dillon Hunt and Richard Buckman gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Tevita Li.
Young Tasman lock Pari Pari Parkinson could make his Super Rugby debut off the bench depending on Squire’s availability.
The Highlanders are stinging from Saturday’s 45-22 thrashing at the hands of the Chiefs in Suva.
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (c), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Liam Squire/Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Pari Pari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Fletcher Smith
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
Venue: AMI Stadium
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REDS v REBELS in Brisbane, Friday 7.45pm AEST
Exciting winger Jordan Petaia will wear No 13 for the Reds in the absence of injured Wallabies midfielder Samu Kerevi.
Kerevi had surgery on his ruptured bicep on Monday and will be out for 12-16 weeks.
Petaia, 18, has impressed out wide in his debut season of Super Rugby and, with few other options, Reds coach Brad Thorn expressed confidence in one of Australia’s brightest young talents.
“He has done a fantastic job in his first year of Super Rugby as an 18-year-old,” Thorn said.
“He hasn’t been overawed with it and forced his way into the starting side.
“Centre is his natural position, so we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes with this opportunity.
Elsewhere, Wallabies lock Izack Rodda returns from a shoulder injury and starts ahead of Harry Hockings, while Caleb Timu replaces Test teammate Lukhan Tui at blindside flanker.
“We’ve got a lot of depth in the forward pack, which makes it pretty difficult come selection time,” Thorn said.
“We’ve also brought Caleb Timu back into the starting side as we feel he offers a lot to our attack on the edges.
“It’s unfortunate for Lukhan Tui but he has a big role to play with his impact off the bench, given he can play in the loose forwards or middle row.”
With Petaia moved into midfield, flying Fijian Filipo Daugunu gets another start on the right wing.
Utility back Teti Tela is in line to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
Meanwhile, winger Marika Koroibete and loosehead prop Tetera Faulkner are back from injury and will start for the Rebels.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels has also called tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley into his starting side while loose forward Richard Hardwick is on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
Flanker Colby Fainga’a will start in his 100th game of Super Rugby.
“100 matches at any level is fantastic achievement, but to do it in the most challenging provincial rugby tournament in the world, is a testament to quality of character and player of Colby,” Wessels said.
“He makes the team walk a bit taller with his impact on-field, and we hope we can make Friday night extra special for him.
“It’s great to have Tetera’s experience to call upon in the front row.
“We’re pleased that Marika’s back in the mix.
“Sefa (Naivalu) played really well last week and will play a big role again off the bench on Friday.”
REDS (15-1): Jono Lance, Filipo Daugunu, Jordan Petaia, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Hamish Stewart, Moses Sorovi, Scott Higginbotham (c), George Smith, Caleb Timu, Kane Douglas, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Lukhan Tui, Angus Scott-Young, Tate McDermott, Teti Tela, Aidan Toua
REBELS (15-1): Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Tom English (c), Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Michael Ruru, Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga’a, Angus Cottrell, Geoff Parling, Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Tetera Faulkner
Reserves: Nathan Charles, Fereti Sa’aga, Sam Talakai, Ross Haylett-Petty, Richard Hardwick, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Sefa Naivalu
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
CHIEFS v BRUMBIES in Hamilton, Saturday 3.15pm AEST
Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown will sit out the clash with the Brumbies in his final All Blacks rest week but five-eighth Damian McKenzie will play in Hamilton.
McKenzie also has one more All Blacks standdown week but that will now come in the final round against the Hurricanes.
Winger Sean Wainui shifts to the No 13 jersey with Shaun Stevenson taking his spot on the edge.
All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris returns following the birth of his first child but Test lock Brodie Retallick remains sidelined with injury.
The Chiefs blew the Highlanders away 45-22 last week in Suva.
“We are hoping to build the confidence and excitement from the Highlanders game and take that into the Brumbies game this weekend,” Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said.
“Both teams are great attacking teams, playing with a lot of confidence.
“The Brumbies are coming here with confidence after beating the Hurricanes.
“They have an outstanding loose forward in (David) Pocock who will be a real threat.
“They have a great lineout and are always a threat on attack.”
CHIEFS (15-1): Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Sean Wainui, Charlie Ngatai, Shaun Stevenson, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Liam Messam, Sam Cane (c), Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron, Michael Allardice, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’inukuafe
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sam Prattley, Jeff Thwaites, Jesse Parete, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty McKenzie, Johnny Faauli
BRUMBIES (TBC)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Venue: FMG Stadium
HURRICANES v BLUES in Wellington, Saturday 5.35pm AEST
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made six changes to his starting side following last weekend’s dismal loss to the Brumbies.
Captain Brad Shields, five-eighth Beauden Barrett, centre Wes Goosen, lock Vaea Fifita, No 8 Blade Thomson and tighthead prop Ben May all come into the starting XV.
Goosen’s inclusion sees Jordie Barrett push back to fullback, Nehe Milner-Skudder switch to the right wing and Julian Savea to the left.
Leading tryscorer Ben Lam has been dropped to the bench.
Shields will become the 14th man to play 100 games for the Hurricanes, who are hoping to snap a three game losing slide.
“For me, my whole career has been about trying to get this club through to finals and be part of that,” Shields said.
“That’s been a driving motivator for me.
“All you can ask of any player is for someone to give their best effort all the time.
“I just hope I’ve put enough into the jersey that someone will want to put in just as much.
“I hope it means just as much to other players.”
Meanwhile, Blues captain Augustine Pulu is back from injury and will start at halfback in the only change to coach Tana Umaga’s run on side from the one that beat the Reds in Auckland.
Experienced hooker James Parsons is also fit again and back on the bench behind starter Matt Moulds.
“We get valuable leadership back in the squad with Augustine and James, which is important in derby games against the likes of the Hurricanes,” Umaga said.
“That said, both Sam Nock and Matt Moulds performed well last week.
“Our attitude around the breakdown was a key for us last week against the Reds, which created some front foot ball for our backs.”
France-bound flanker Jerome Kaino will become the second most capped Blues player with 138 games, going past Tony Woodcock and behind Keven Mealamu.
“Jerome means a lot to this team and achieving the milestone is great for him,” Umaga said.
“The team wants to send him on his way in the best way we can and that is with performance.
“I am sure the Hurricanes will be looking at ways to rectify their situation after three losses in a row, but we have nothing to lose.
“We will go down there and throw everything at them, get some pride and respect back and also make sure we send our high chief (Kaino) away on a good note.”
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Sam Henwood, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Michael Fatialofa, Gareth Evans, Jamie Booth, Ihaia West, Ben Lam
BLUES (15-1): Matt Duffie, Melani Nanai, Michael Collins, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu (c), Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Matiaha Martin, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tuungafasi, Matt Moulds, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: James Parsons, Pauliasi Manu, Sione Mafileo, Ben Nee-Nee, Murphy Taramai, Sam Nock, Bryn Gatland, TJ Faiane
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
Venue: Westpac Stadium
WARATAHS v SUNWOLVES in Sydney, Saturday 7.45pm AEST
WARATAHS (TBC)
SUNWOLVES (TBC)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (ARG)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
BULLS v JAGUARES in Pretoria, Saturday 11.05pm AEST
BULLS (TBC)
JAGUARES (TBC)
Referee: Egon Seconds (SA)
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
STORMERS v SHARKS in Cape Town, Sunday 1.15am AEST
STORMERS (TBC)
SHARKS (TBC)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
Venue: Newlands
BYE: LIONS
