Payton Spencer could make his Blues debut, after being named on the bench to face the New South Wales Waratahs. Photo / Photosport
All you need to know ahead of round six of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Hurricanes are bracing for a “battle-hardened” Highlanders side as they prepare for their first New Zealand derby of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Coach Clark Laidlaw has responded by going with a 6-2 bench split, with the Highlanders playing their fourth derby of the campaign.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge this week,” Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard said. “They’re going to be battle-hardened and they’re going to be ready for this game.
“It was an unfortunate result for them losing to the Crusaders, but back at home, I know there’ll be plenty of passion and they’ll be wanting to get one back over I guess a New Zealand team.”
The Hurricanes will be without All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax because of an ankle injury, but Ruben Love will make his first start of the season at first five-eighths, while hooker Vernon Bason will make his debut off the bench.
For the Highlanders, they welcome back co-captain Hugh Renton for his first performance of the season, having fully recovered from pelvis and groin surgery last year.
Reesjan Pasitoa earns his first start in the No 10 jersey with regular first five Cameron Millar ruled out with concussion, meaning former All Blacks Sevens star Andrew Knewstubb is in line to make his Super debut from the bench.
The Hurricanes are on a nine-game winning streak against the Highlanders, with their last loss against them coming in round 10 of Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2020.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph knows the importance of coming out on top.
“Well, every game’s important for us,” Joseph said. “We were at the bottom of the table last year, so every point counts.
“It’s a tight competition this year. We’re round six [in] and we’re level-headed with the Crusaders, that’s not a bad sign eh?”
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Oliver Haig, 5. Te Kamaka Howden, 6. Sean Withy, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Jonah Lowe, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Tai Cribb, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Andrew Knewstubb, 23. Tanielu Tele’a
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jordie Barrett (c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Vernon Bason, 17. Siale Lauaki, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22. Ereatara Enari, 23. Bailyn Sullivan
Fresh off a bye, the Chiefs welcome back captain Luke Jacobson, who had been sidelined with a hip injury, although there is some uncertainty surrounding fellow loose forward Wallace Sititi, as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
Sititi has been limited to just 30 minutes of rugby this season due to the injury and while he’s been slated for a return between rounds eight to 10, coach Jonno Gibbes admits it’s a difficult situation.
“Out of the bye week, [it’s] looking like he’s tracking in the right direction but the nature of the tour, the 28 players and just the timing of it, [it] was just decided for him to progress at home.”
Gibbes added that the team are feeling refreshed after the week off and a run of New Zealand derbies to start the season.
They will be aiming to spoil the party in Canberra as ACT Brumbies prop James Slipper will create history when he surpasses Wyatt Crockett as the most-capped Super Rugby player in history with his 203rd appearance.
“He just keeps going,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. “It’s a special achievement for anyone to get to 100, to get 150, to get to 200, and now to have the record in Super Rugby.
“He is a pretty special human and offers a lot to the Brumbies both on the field and off the field. One of the best leaders that you will find in the game and we’re lucky to have him.”
Some reports say Crockett will be making the trip to Canberra to pass the baton.
The Chiefs have won their last five straight games against the Brumbies, including winning three of their last four against them in Canberra, although the last time the two teams met at the venue was in 2023.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Darcy Breen, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Charlie Calei, 9. Ryan Lonergan (c), 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. Hudson Creighton, 13. Kadin Pritchard, 14. Kye Oates, 15. Andy Muirhead.
Bench: 16. Liam Bowrn, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Tevita Alatini, 19. Toby MacPherson, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Austin Anderson Shape.
Chiefs: 1. Jared Profitt, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Reuben O’Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. George Dyer, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Lalakai Foketi.
The Fijian Drua are looking to continue their strong form at home when they host the Reds.
The Drua are coming off back-to-back home wins over the Hurricanes and Brumbies and coach Glen Jackson has just made two changes to his starting side.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss is wary of the challenges his side will face.
“We haven’t played in Lautoka for a few years, so it’s going to be a different experience for us,” Kiss said.
“The conditions over there are a challenge as well, but in the last two years, we’ve had two travels with our young guys to Tonga, not dissimilar in terms of experience and travelling into a different space and play.
“Hopefully, those experiences come through for us with a couple of our young guys in the team and we’ve got enough experience there to be able to handle it.”
Meanwhile, former North Harbour, Crusaders and Fijian international Ben Volavola is in line to make his Reds debut, after being named on the bench.
His inclusion is part of several changes to the side, with captain Fraser McReight among those to be rested.
In the six meetings between the two teams, the home side have been victorious. The three encounters to have been played in Fiji took place in Suva.
Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani (c), 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Isikeli Rabitu, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Joji Nasova, 15. Iliasia Droasese
Bench: 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Vilive Miramira, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Motikiai Murray, 22. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23. Inia Tabuavoa
Reds: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Nick Bloomfield, 4. Seru Uru, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Joe Brial, 7. John Bryant, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Isaac Henry, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. George Blake, 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19. Hamish Muller, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Louis Werchon, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Treyvon Pritchard.
The Crusaders will unleash two debutants, with Cooper Grant named to start at first five-eighths, while utility back Kurtis MacDonald is among the reserves.
It will be a full-circle moment of sorts for Grant – the son of Black Sox great Marty Grant – who was initially pursuing a career in baseball, and earned his one and only cap for the now-defunct Auckland Tuatara at North Harbour Stadium.
Grant replaces Rivez Reihana, who has been ruled out with concussion and Crusaders coach Rob Penney says he has full faith in the 22-year-old.
“He’s got a very confident demeanour. He uses his voice really well and he’s got an outstanding skillset,” Penney said. “He’s new to this level, but he’s surrounded by experience and we’re confident he’ll have the right answers when the blowtorch comes on.”
Taha Kemara is also out with concussion, while All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams remains sidelined as an unspecified niggle meant he couldn’t complete World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme, leaving him sidelined for a third straight week.
Meanwhile, former All Blacks wing Julian Savea and loose forward Niko Jones will both make their first appearances of the season for Moana Pasifika, after overcoming injuries.
Moana will be without Augustine Pulu, who will serve a three-match ban for a high tackle during their loss to the Blues, meaning Joel Lam will be handed the starting halfback jersey.
It completes a stunning journey for Lam, who played one game for the Crusaders in 2023 and was playing rugby league last year.
“He looks energised and he’s one of our fittest, if not the fittest, in our team,” Moana coach Tana Umaga said. “[He’s] another player that’s just taken [his] opportunity, he’s had to work hard for it.”
Moana Pasifika won their last Super Rugby Pacific game against the Crusaders 45-29, after losing each of their four previous encounters in the competition.
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Niko Jones, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Joel Lam, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Latu, 15. William Havili.
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Veikoso Poloniati, 20. Dominic Ropeti, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Tevita Ofa.
Crusaders: 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. George Bell, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Tahlor Cahill, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Johnny Lee, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Cooper Grant, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan (c)
Bench: 16. Manumaua Leitu, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Antonio Shalfoon, 20. Xavier Saifoloi, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23. Kurtis Macdonald
Payton Spencer, the son of All Blacks and Blues legend Carlos Spencer, will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut after being named on the bench to face the New South Wales Waratahs.
A video posted to the Blues’ social media pages shows Payton Spencer calling his dad to tell him the news.
“Mean bro,” Carlos Spencer said. “That’s mean, that’s awesome.”
His inclusion is part of numerous changes to the team, with Finlay Christie named to start at halfback, Pita Ahki returning in the second five-eighths jersey and Zarn Sullivan slotting back in at fullback, while in the pack, Bradley Slater starts at hooker, while Malachi Wrampling earns his first start for the club at No 8.
“The Waratahs are always a dangerous side, particularly at home in Sydney, so we’ll need to be accurate and disciplined for 80 minutes,” Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
Meanwhile, the Blues have confirmed prop Josh Fusitu’a required bicep surgery, but are hopeful he can return to play later in the season.
The Waratahs have made two changes to their side, with lock Miles Amatosero and wing Harry Potter coming into the team.
The Blues have won their past 11 meetings with the Waratahs.
Waratahs: 1. Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Daniel Botha, 4. Matt Philip (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Clem Halaholo, 7. Jamie Adamson, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Triston Reilly, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Sid Harvey.
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Isaac Kailea, 18. Siosifa Amone, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Leafi Talataina, 21. Teddy Wilson, 22. Lawson Creighton, 23. George Poolman.
Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Sam Matenga, 4. Josh Beehre, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i (c), 8. Malachi Wrampling, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Akhi, 13, AJ Lam, 14. Codemeru Vai, 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. James Mullan, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Che Clark, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Xavi Taele, 23. Payton Spencer.