A host of All Blacks are back from injury, while the Crusaders have named a new captain. Photo / Photosport
All you need to know before round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific.
Eden Park, Auckland. Friday 7.05pm
The Blues have been bolstered by the return of three All Blacks including captain Patrick Tuipulotu, who will make his first appearance of the season against the Highlanders.
Tuipulotu, who has been sidelined since October after having shoulder surgery, slots straight back into the starting side, with loose forwards Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu also named to start after overcoming back and knee injuries respectively.
The coach Vern Cotter said having their skipper back is a boost for the team.
“Having Patrick back is massive for us. He’s a leader who drives standards on and off the field. You can feel the lift in the group with him back out on the field,” Cotter said.
“Dalton and Hoskins have both worked hard through their rehab and also bring huge experience and leadership back into our group. Collectively, we’re looking forward to getting back out there on Friday night.”
The Blues have opted for a 6-2 bench split.
For the Highlanders, halfback Folau Fakatava returns via the bench having been dropped for several weeks by coach Jamie Joseph.
Coming off a loss to the Brumbies, the Highlanders have made one change to their starting side with Te Kamaka Howden shifting to lock, allowing Sean Withy to start at blindside flanker.
The Highlanders beat the Blues when they last met, snapping an eight-match losing run against them. The Highlanders are aiming for consecutive wins over the Blues for the first time since April 2018, the last time they won at Eden Park.
Blues: 1. Mason Tupaea, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Codemeru Vai, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Ben Ake, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Malachi Wrampling, 22. Taufa Funaki, 23. Pita Akhi.
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Te Kemaka Howden, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Sean Withy, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Taniela Tele’a, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Taine Robinson.
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Lucas Casey, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Xavier Tito-Harris, 23. Finn Hurley.
Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Friday 9.35pm
It is set to be a big night in Sydney, though largely for what’s happening off the field rather than on it.
There will be plenty of intrigue after the announcement Moana Pasifika won’t be part of Super Rugby next season, while it’s been reported Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle will be in attendance.
It will be a special occasion for first five-eighths Patrick Pellegrini, who will play his first Super Rugby match in the city of his birth.
Pellegrini had been linked with a move to the Waratahs before the announcement about Moana.
The Auckland-based side also welcome back halfbacks Melani Matavao and Jonathan Taumateine, with the former named to start.
The Waratahs are coming off their bye week and have made a handful of changes to their side, including handing a first start to Angus Scott-Young.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said Moana will pose a “significant challenge”.
“They’re big, powerful men, who have got the ability to be really dangerous off turnover ball and can go front door or they can go the back door,” McKellar said.
Moana Pasifika have won their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Waratahs.
Waratahs: 1. Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Daniel Botha, 4. Matt Philip (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Lawson Creighton, 13. Joey Walton, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Sid Harvey.
Bench: 16. Folau Fainga’a, 17. Isaac Kailea, 18. Siosifa Amone, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Clem Halaholo, 21. Jamie Adamson, 22. Teddy Wilson, 23. Triston Reilly.
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Melani Matavao, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Tevita Latu, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Tuna Tuitama, 15. William Havili.
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Faletoi Peni, 23. Tyler Pulini.
FMG Stadium, Hamilton Saturday 7.05pm
The Chiefs have been buoyed by the return of All Blacks loose forward Wallace Sititi for their crucial match against the Hurricanes.
Sititi has been out since round three with a hamstring injury and returns via the bench, which has a 6-2 split, a tactic the Hurricanes deployed during their recent win over the Blues.
Meanwhile, captain Luke Jacobson will become the 14th Chiefs centurion, joining current teammates Damian McKenzie and Samisoni Taukei’aho, who are also part of the club.
“Luke will join a special group of great Chiefs men on Saturday,” Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said. “It’s a testament to his longevity, his work ethic and his professionalism for him to reach this milestone.
“He’s constantly setting and maintaining standards in our environment, and keeping everyone accountable as leaders should. It’ll be a special occasion for him and for our club.”
The Chiefs will be without Tupou Vaa’i because of concussion protocols, while Reon Paul, who made his debut last week, will form a new-look midfield alongside Quinn Tupaea.
For the top-of-the-table Hurricanes, they’ve made one change to their starting side with Isaia Walker-Leawere named at lock, with Caleb Delaney dropping to the bench. Two further changes have been made on the interchange with hooker Jacob Devery and loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones joining the side, meaning the Hurricanes will again utilise the 6-2 split.
“It’s a hugely exciting weekend to go up to the Chiefs, who have played particularly well over the past few weeks,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“They have probably the strongest forward pack we’ve faced. They’re full of All Blacks, so we’re well aware of the threat they pose, but we’re confident in the way we’re playing.“
The Hurricanes have won their last three Super Rugby Pacific regular-season matches against the Chiefs.
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Tyrone Thompson, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Reon Paul, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Liam Coobes-Fabling.
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Josh Jacomb.
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jordie Barrett (cc), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Caleb Delany, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Brayden Iose, 22. Ereatara Enari, 23. Jone Rova.
GIO Stadium, Canberra. Saturday 9.35pm
Brumbies star Tom Wright will make his long-awaited return in Saturday night’s showdown with the Drua in Canberra.
Wright tore his ACL against the Springboks last year and will start at fullback in place of Andy Muirhead, and while he’s excited to be back, he said having some time on the sidelines was a blessing in disguise.
“It was definitely a challenge. It saw me take a little bit of time to reflect,” Wright said.
“Coming home to get surgery straight away, in hindsight, was probably the best thing, so I wasn’t mulling on it, and then the focus actually went to the physical part of getting everything started.”
The Drua have made minimal changes to their side, but one notable inclusion is the return of former Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele.
Drua coach Glen Jackson announced this week that he would be leaving at the end of the season.
The Drua defeated the Brumbies 42-27 when they last met earlier this year after losing all of their previous six meetings in the competition.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Lachlan Shaw, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Luke Reimer, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima 9. Ryan Lonergan (c), 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Kadin Pritchard, 14. Ollie Sapsford, 15. Tom Wright.
Bench: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Toby MacPherson, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Hudson Creighton.
Drua: 1. Emosi Tuqiri, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Temo Mayanavanua (c), 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Isoa Tuwai, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Virimi Vakatava, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Isikeli Basiyalo, 15. Isikeli Rabitu.
Bench: 16. Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17. Penaia Cakobau, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Joseva Tamani, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Inia Tabuavou
HBF Park, Perth. Saturday 11.55pm
Coming off a loss to the Reds, the Crusaders have made several changes to their side to face the Western Force, including naming Christian Lio-Willie as captain.
Lio-Willie steps in to fill the void of David Havili, who has been ruled out with concussion.
“It wasn’t in the plan or anything with my vision, but I know the responsibility and the legacy that comes with it and I’m pretty excited, to be honest,” Lio-Willie said.
“It hasn’t really hit me fully yet, but I know I’ve got my job at hand, and I’ve got to lead myself first before I lead others.
“I’ve had great examples first-hand with Davey and the way he leads. That’s the standard I strive to.”
The Crusaders welcome back winger Macca Springer from a quad injury, while they have confirmed Will Jordan will miss three to five weeks with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, Zac Lomax will make his first Super Rugby start after being named on the right wing.
Lomax came off the bench last week for his debut in a defeat to the Drua.
The Crusaders have won seven of their past eight Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Force. That one defeat came in their last meeting in Perth in 2024.
Force: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Misinale Epenisa, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), 7. Jack Daly, 8. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Dylan Pietsch, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. George Bridge, 14. Zac Lomax, 15. Mac Grealy.
Bench: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19. Franco Molina, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Kurtley Beale.
Crusaders: 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. George Bell, 3. Seb Calder, 4. Tahlor Cahill, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Dom Gardiner, 7. Johnny Lee, 8. Christian Lio-Willie (c), 9. Louis Chapman, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Bench: 16. Manumaua Leitu, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Sevu Reece.