All you need to know ahead of round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific - the Super Round.
Friday, 7.35pm
The sixth-placed Crusaders kick off Super Round at their new home stadium in what should be a tight game against the Waratahs, who sit in seventh.
Head coach Rob Penney said the team was excited to finally walk out at One NZ Stadium and had prepared well for the big occasion.
“It’s been a long wait, but it’s been worth the wait.
“Training’s been crisp, there’s a real buzz about the place, and that usually tells you the boys are looking forward to unleashing.”
The most surprising selection is the decision to start midfielder Leicester Fainga’anuku at openside flanker.
Penney said the All Black had been looking forward to playing in the pack.
“Leicester’s been keen to explore that opportunity.
“This stadium felt like the right place to do it.
“He loves big environments, loves pressure moments, and we feel he’ll add real value against this opposition.”
The Waratahs have beaten the Crusaders in three of their last five match-ups and come into this one with an all-new front line of Isaac Kailea, Folau Fainga’a and Siosifa Amone.
The Crusaders have already lost to the Force, Brumbies and Reds this season. If the Waratahs were to win tonight, it would mark the first time the New Zealand side has lost to every Australian team in a season.
Crusaders: 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. Codie Taylor (VC), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Tahlor Cahill, 6. Dom Gardiner, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio‑Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (C), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Bench: 16. George Bell 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Jamie Hannah 20. Johnny Lee 21. Kyle Preston 22. Rivez Reihana 23. Dallas McLeod.
Waratahs: 1. Isaac Kailea, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Siosifa Amone,4. Matt Philip, 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Sid Harvey, 12. Lawson Creighton, 13. Joey Walton, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Max Jorgensen.
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Tom Lambert, 18. Dan Botha, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Clem Halaholo, 21. Jamie Adamson, 22. Teddy Wilson, 23. Triston Reilly.
Saturday, 5.05pm
The Hurricanes were stunned by a late Wallace Sititi try last week, which dropped them to second place on the table. They have made several changes to their starting line-up to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to the starting 15 for his 100th Super Rugby match, while a new front row of Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu and Tevita Mafileo will look to dominate the scrum.
Head coach Clark Laidlaw highlighted how Kirifi had grown into his position.
“We’re extremely proud of him, the way he leads and the way he plays.
“He’s a spiritual leader and often sets the tone on the field around the physicality and the breakdown.
“He’s really grown his game to become an all-round No 7 where he can make impact on the ball and make impact at the breakdown, but has also really improved his attacking skills and awareness around the field.”
The Brumbies will have beaten every New Zealand side if they overcome the Hurricanes this weekend. They come into the match with good form against their opponents, having won six of their last eight match-ups.
Andy Muirhead returns to the wing and will be a real threat, having made 549 metres in 94 carries this season.
Hurricanes: 1. Siale Lauaki, 2. Raymond Tuputupu, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Brad Shields, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Josh Gray.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Lachie Shaw, 6. Rob Valentini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Kadin Pritchard, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright.
Bench: 16. Lochlan Lonergan, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Toby MacPherson, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Ollie Sapsford.
Saturday, 7.35pm
Ben Ake makes his first start at prop for the Blues after coming off the bench during his side’s victory over the Highlanders last week, while Kade Banks makes his first start of the season on the right wing, and Pita Ahki returns to the midfield.
Stephen Perofeta returns to the bench after recovering from a calf injury. Head coach Vern Cotter has stressed the importance of building connections between the more inexperienced players.
“The last few weeks, we’ve had some players coming back, and others getting an opportunity to step up.
“Our focus has been building on those connections as a group and making sure we are locked in for the full 80 minutes.”
The match is likely to be a high-scoring affair, with the Blues having conceded or scored more than 40 points in four of their past five games, while the Reds have conceded more than 40 points in two of their last three.
Former All Blacks forward Jeff Toomaga-Allen will bring up 150 Super Rugby games when he starts for the Queensland side and is joined on the front row by Zane Nonggorr.
The Reds don’t have the best recent form against the Blues in New Zealand, having lost their last three matches in the country by an average margin of 27 points.
However, the Australians can make it back-to-back wins against the Blues for the first time since 2013, having beaten them 35-21 in Brisbane last year.
Blues: 1. Ben Ake, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Cole Forbe, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Kade Banks, 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. James Mullan, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Xavi Taele.
Reds: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Seru Uru, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Nick Bloomfield, 19. Hamish Muller, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Louis Werchon, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Treyvon Pritchard
Sunday, 2pm
The Highlanders have won six of their past seven games against Moana Pasifika, but have struggled away from Forsyth Barr Stadium recently, winning just one of their past nine games outside Dunedin.
Injuries to wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki have allowed Xavier Tito-Harris into the side and forced Jonah Lowe out to the right wing, while the forward pack sees Soane Vikena and Saula Ma’u come into the front row. Argentine Tomas Lavanini returns from injury in the second row.
Head coach Jamie Joseph was complimentary of Moana Pasifika in his comments before the game.
“This is a different team to the one we played earlier in the season. Big and physical, and they demonstrated last week that they are still a very committed team with the ability to test any team.”
Moana Pasifika, who have been kept scoreless in the first half of their last two games against New Zealand teams, have Israel Leota returning to the midfield after recovering from a round 2 ankle injury against the Hurricanes.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa will put on the No 8 jersey again after making an impressive 23 tackles, 21 carries and beating 10 defenders in his side’s loss to the Waratahs in Sydney last week.
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma’u, 4.Mitch Dunshea, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Xavier Tito-Harris, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Te Kamaka Howden, 20. Hugh Renton, 21. Lucas Casey, 22. Folau Fakatava, 23. Taine Robinson.
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Tevita Latu, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Tuna Tuitama, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada, 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 23. Israel Leota
Sunday, 4.30pm
Wallace Sititi returns to the Chiefs’ starting line-up after his heroics off the bench to deliver a victory over the Hurricanes and send his team to the top of the Super Rugby ladder.
Isaac Hutchinson will debut at fullback after his recovery from tearing his ACL, MCL and both menisci, and will return in front of a familiar crowd, having attended St Bede’s College and played nine times for Canterbury before making the move to Hamilton.
“Isaac’s return is exciting,” said Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes.
“He’s had a long time out of the game and has shown tremendous perseverance with his rehab and a lot of patience.
“It is great that he will get his chance now.”
The Drua have co-captain Frank Lomani returning from injury and starting at halfback, with Maika Tuitubou making his debut at centre.
The Chiefs are looking for their fifth straight victory in the competition, last achieving this feat in 2023, but the Drua were able to overcome the New Zealand-based side in their last match-up last season.
Chiefs: 1. Jared Profitt, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Daniel Sinkinson, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Isaac Hutchinson.
Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Benet Kumeroa, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23. Lalakai Foketi.
Fijian Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Isoa Tuwai, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Maika Tuitubou, 14. Taniela Rakuro, 15. Ilaisa Droasese
Bench: 16. Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Isoa Nasilasila, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Inia Tabuavou
Bye: Western Force