Wallace Sititi will start at No 8 for the Chiefs this week. Photo / Photosport
Wallace Sititi will start at No 8 for the Chiefs this week. Photo / Photosport
Super Rugby Pacific’s new initiative to announce all team lists at 4pm on Wednesday marks the beginning of a new Herald series: Super Rugby Selections.
Each Wednesday, you will find the latest squad news ahead of the weekend’s rugby: who is in, who is out and when allthe footy is going ahead.
Chiefs team to face Reds
The Chiefs have made a handful of changes to their squad as they prepare to host the Reds on Friday night.
Tupou Vaa’i returns to partner Jimmy Tupou at lock, Samisoni Taukei’aho starts at hooker with Bradley Slater moving back to the bench, while Anton Lienert-Brown starts alongside Rameka Poihipi in the midfield.
On the bench, Jared Proffit and Reuben O’Neill join the squad to provide cover at prop, while Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Daniel Rona move back to reserve roles with Vaa’i and Lienert-Brown’s respective returns. Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Kaylum Boshier and Josh Ioane fall out of the match day 23 as a result.
The Hurricanes will host the first home quarter-final in over five years when the Rebels come to town on Saturday afternoon, and they’ve gone with a familiar squad.
Only two changes have been made to the starting side from the Hurricanes’ win over the Highlanders last time out. Justin Sangster starts at lock in place of James Tucker, while Peter Lakai starts at openside flanker in place of Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Salesi Rayasi retains the starting role on the left wing after scoring a hat-trick against the Highlanders, with Kini Naholo returning on the bench. Richard Judd also returns as a reserve halfback. Brad Shields and Du’Plessis Kirifi have also both been named on the bench in lieu of primary locking cover.
Salesi Rayasi starts for the Hurricanes after scoring a hat-trick last week. Photo / Photosport
Blues team to face Fijian Drua
Rieko Ioane looks set to return to the Blues’ midfield for their clash against the Fijian Drua on Saturday night after he was a late withdrawal last weekend.
Just as his unavailability saw some changes in that lineup, his return sees some movement in this squad. Harry Plummer moves back to first five-eighths with A.J. Lam at second five-eighths, Stephen Perofeta moving to fullback and Cole Forbes back on the bench.
Finlay Christie starts at halfback again after joining the run-on side as another late change last week, with Josh Beehre starting at lock in place of Sam Darry [concussion protocol] to lone change to the pack.
After resting some players in their final regular season hitout, the Highlanders have made plenty of changes ahead of their quarter-final against the Brumbies in Canberra.
In the pack, Mitch Dunshea starts at lock, with Oliver Haig at blindside flanker, Sean Withy at openside and Billy Harmon moving to the back of the scrum.
In the backline, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens return.
Max Hicks, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott and Finn Hurley all join the bench.
