The 4-1 Waratahs have made the most of home comforts but are about to feel the pressure go up another notch with their first visit of the season to New Zealand to play the Hurricanes and kick off round seven.
The Brumbies will host the Highlanders later on Friday with the Reds vs Force match on Saturday night bringing the curtain down on a four-game weekend as the bye kicks in.
See all the teams as they’re released below.
(All time are AEDT)
Friday
Hurricanes vs Waratahs, 5.05pm
At long last, the Ferrari is back. After being grounded for the past four matches, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his long-anticipated return for the Waratahs after being sidelined with a toe injury since their round one win against the Highlanders.
While Waratahs coach Dan McKellar had previously expressed his desire for Suaalii to have a long run at fullback, the 21-year-old has been named at outside centre despite the absence of Andrew Kellaway.
“Joseph has trained really well over the past couple of weeks and has done a great job in rehab,” McKellar said. “It has been a frustrating period for him, but he’s ready to go, and we’re excited to see him back on the field.
“Positionally, we want to see how he goes at 13. The initial plan was for him to play fullback, but given he’s been out for five weeks, we feel outside centre is the best spot for him this week.”
Suaalii starts ahead of Henry O’Donnell, with the rising midfielder given a spell after playing four straight matches. Lalakai Foketi returns via the bench to offer cover in the midfield.
The other couple of changes in the backline sees Max Jorgensen shift from the wing to fullback to cover the absence of Kellaway, while Archie Saunders will debut out wide.
Elsewhere, Mahe Vailanu’s shoulder injury sees Julian Heaven start, while Ethan Dobbins comes onto the bench.
Lock Miles Amatosero also returns to the second-row and he’ll partner former Hurricanes lock Ben Grant.
Asafo Aumua will co-captain the home team alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi for the first time this season. The forward pack will bring a challenge for the Tahs with Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax named in the starting 15 this week.
Harry Godfrey has sustained an injury to his lower leg and will be out for approximately six weeks with Riley Hohepa slotting into the No.10.
NPC stand out Kade Banks will look to impress off the bench and Sevens star, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, will be unleashed.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said: “We have quite a consistent selection for the 23 this week. There is great energy in the group coming off a bye week. We are clear on a few areas that we need to improve after our first block of games and really looking forward to our second game at SKY Stadium for this season.”
“The Waratahs have had a good season so far and they look like they know what type of team they want to be. They have a big forward pack and they’re super direct. It’ll be a big challenge, but we’re excited for it and can’t wait to play this Friday.”
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Jordi Viljoen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Julian Heaven, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton (c), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Archie Saunders, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Daniel Botha, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Brumbies vs Highlanders, 7.35pm
Stephen Larkham has welcomed back midfielder David Feliuai for Friday night’s clash with the Highlanders in Canberra, but the Brumbies will be without two reliable figures.
Wallaby Luke Reimer and Australia A skipper Ryan Lonergan have both been rested to adhere to Rugby Australia’s management of players ahead of this year’s Lions campaign.
The changes sees Rory Scott return to the back-row, while Harrison Goddard partners Noah Lolesio in the halves.
“We wanted to keep things fresh heading into this match, which is a must win for us, along with every other game remaining in the competition,” Larkham said.
“The pace and intensity of Super Rugby has increased this year, so it’s important we are giving players a rest when the opportunity arises.
“We’re under no illusions in terms of the challenge the Highlanders present this weekend. They are a physical side who have a young, potent backline that can produce pieces of brilliance. We are preparing thoroughly this week and will need to be at our best.”
The fourth and final change to the starting side sees Lachie Shaw come back into the second-row, with Cadeyrn Neville dropping back to the bench.
There’s also a couple of tweaks to the bench, with youngster Liam Bowron coming onto the bench for the concussed Lachlan Lonergan. Rhys van Nek provides cover at tight-head prop.
Former Rebel Tuaina Taii Tualima also returns after being sidelined for more than a month after contracting an illness in Fiji.
After their loss to the Reds last week Jamie Joseph welcomes back Daniel Lienert-Brown back from suspension replacing rested Ethan de Groot. TK Howden moves to blindside flanker and vice-captain Sean Withy moves to No.8t in place of the injured Nikora Broughton.
In the backs, captain Timoci Tavatavanawai returns to the midfield allowing fellow Fijian Jona Nareki back onto the left wing and the versatile Sam Gilbert completes the back three.
A refreshed bench has Henry Bell in for Jack Taylor and potential debuts for loose forward, Michael Loft, and Taranaki halfback, Adam Lennox.
“Touring always makes a team tighter, and it’s usually backs to the wall stuff when you play in places like Canberra and Perth,” said Joseph. “This team has shown a lot of resolve already this season, but we will probably need to dig even deeper over the next few weeks in Australia. It’s a challenge I know the squad will be looking forward to.”
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Klayton Thorn, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, TK Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Caleb Tangitau, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Ajay Faleafaga, Tanielu Tele’a
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie
Saturday
Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea and winger Solomon Alaimalo return to the starting lineup as they travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders.
There are five changes in the forwards with Tito Tuipulotu earning his first start at prop and tighthead Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou rejoining the starting 15. Samuel Slade also links up with Allan Craig to form a rugged lock pairing.
Semisi Paea is set to make his first start of the year at openside flanker.
Tevita Ofa earns his debut start on the right wing. Fullback William Havili will face his older brother and captain of the Crusaders, David Havili.
On the bench, experienced Samoan international Alamanda Motuga will make his maiden appearance of the year. Motuga was part of the Samoa sevens side that competed in their first ever Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Wallaby James O’Connor gets his first start for the Crusaders.
Jamie Hannah makes his long-awaited return to lock following a shoulder injury that’s kept him sidelined since the start of the season. He’ll be paired at lock with All Black Scott Barrett.
George Bower will start at prop alongside Fletcher Newell, while Ioane Moananu will start at hooker following his man of the match performance against the Blues last week at Eden Park.
Cullen Grace will keep the No.6 jersey while Ethan Blackadder returns from injury to start at openside.
22-year-old Fletcher Anderson is another that’s back from injury and will round out the forward pack at number 8.
Noah Hotham is back starting at halfback, alongside O’Connor at 10.
After making his Crusaders debut against the Western Force, Xavier Saifoloi is back in the reserves, as is Rivez Reihana, who has recovered from an ankle injury.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, James O’Connor, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi Aumua
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna Tuitama
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Angus Mabey
Reds vs Force, 7.35pm
Les Kiss has continued to rotate his squad, with the respected Reds coach resting Harry Wilson from Saturday’s Australian derby against the Western Force in Brisbane.
It means the Reds will be without any of their first-choice back-row, with Fraser McReight and Liam Wright both sidelined with shoulder issues.
But Kiss has still named a squad with plenty of firepower, naming an unchanged backline from the one that helped snap the Reds’ 12-year drought in Dunedin against the Highlanders.
The Reds also have plenty of Test experience to draw upon up front, with Alex Hodgman promoted at loose-head prop and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto joining new skipper Ryan Smith in the second-row.
Rising prop Massimo de Lutiis also comes into the starting side as one of four changes to the run-on side.
Kiss could have brought regular skipper Tate McDermott back into the starting side, but has given Kalani Thomas another opportunity to wear the No.9 jersey after thriving in the role last week.
“’Smithy’ did an excellent job in his week of captaincy in Japan and he is highly respected within our squad,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“Tate will come off the bench this week with Kalani (Thomas) starting at halfback after a strong performance against the Highlanders last weekend.”
As well as rewarding Hodgman and de Lutiis for their superb shift off the bench last week, Kiss said he was more than comfortable with elevating Joe Brial into the starting side to cover for Wilson.
“We are very happy with how our scrum is going. Both Alex and ‘Mass’ had a great impact off the bench against the Highlanders and get their chance to start against the Force,” Kiss said.
“Harry (Wilson) has put in an unbelievable shift over our five games. He’s having a rest week. We have high-quality backrowers at the Reds which enables us to start players of the calibre of Seru Uru, John Bryant and Joe Brial.”
While the changes will raise some eyebrows, Kiss said he recognised the Force would come to Brisbane with their tails up after smashing the Drua at home last weekend.
“There’s no doubt the Force will be coming to Brisbane in a confident mood based on their performance against the Drua,” Kiss said.
Meanwhile, Force coach Simon Cron has made a couple of minor changes to his side.
Marley Pearce returns to the front-row and will pack down alongside in-form duo Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson, while Will Harris also is back in the back-row.
The final change sees Wallaby Dylan Pietsch return on the wing after missing the past two matches. His return sees George Poolman drop out of the squad.
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith (c), Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Relacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Brett Cronan
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/LhKr603 Rugby teams round 7: Suaalii returns for Tahs’ big test, Wallabies skipper rested, JOC’s first start
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