Super Rugby Pacific again produced another electric round last weekend, with the Reds capping off the action with an incredible win in Canberra.
With no side unbeaten the competition ladder is looking very tight, just six points separate first through seventh with some teams holding a game up their sleeve.
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Friday, March 13
McLean Park Napier, New Zealand 5:05pm (AEDT)
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Bailyn Sullivan, Jone Rona, Jordie Barrett, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Cam Roigard; Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brad Shields, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delaney, Pasilio Tosi, Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Warner Dearns, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Ruben Love, Riley Higgins.
Force: Max Burey, Darby Lancaster, George Bridge, Kurtley Beale, Bayley Kuenzle, Ben Donaldson, Henry Robertson; Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Lopeti Faifua, Nathan Hastie, Taj Annan, Hamish Stewart.
Officials: Referee: Todd Petrie; Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Ben Woolerton; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Hurricanes were devastating against the Waratahs last week, running up 59 points in a blistering attacking display. The Force were gallant in Dunedin in losing to the Highlanders, but this represents a huge step up against one of the competition fancies. This week’s signing of Zac Lomax is good news for the Force, but don’t expect the halo effect to last too long in Napier. Hurricanes by 30.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes: $1.05, -20.5 $1.85; Force: $8.50, +20.5 $1.90
Saturday, March 14
Four R Stadium, Ba, Fiji, 2:35pm (AEDT)
Drua:
Brumbies: Andy Muirhead, Corey Toole, Kadin Pritchard, David Feliuai, Kye Oates, Tane Edmed, Klayton Thorn; Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Toby Macpherson, Nick Frost, Darcy Breen, Billy Pollard, Lington Ieli. Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Lachlan Shaw, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton.
Officials: Referee: Paul Williams; Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter; TMO: Aaron Peterson
Prediction: The Brumbies were on their way to 4-0 until an improbably Reds rally saw a valuable four competition points head back to Ballymore. Coach Stephen Larkham has had to shuffle the deck this week amid resting protocols, but does regain Rob Valetini and Corey Toole, while Nick Frost will play his first Super Rugby game this season. The Drua should be refreshed after last week’s bye, while this is an historic first Super game in Ba. Drua by 2.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Drua: $2.45, +3.5 $1.90; Brumbies: $1.52, -3.5 $1.85
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham: Christian Lio-Willie, Johnny Lee, Ethan Blackadder, Tahlor Cahill, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Finlay Brewis. Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod.
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau , Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava; Lucas Casey, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Tomás Lavanini, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa
Officials: Referee: Jordan Way; Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey; TMO: James Leckie
Prediction: Things aren’t flash in Christchurch, where the Crusaders return home for the visit of the Highlanders. Stung by last week’s dire showing in Auckland, the Crusaders have regained Will Jordan at fullback. But it is their ball retention that requires significant work. They won’t want to drag this one into its latter stages against a Highlanders team who beat them earlier in the season and whom can offer more than nuisance value. Crusaders by 12.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders: $1.25, -9.5 $1.85; Highlanders: $3.70, +9.5 $1.90
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Reds: Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Tim Ryan, Carter Gordon, Louis Werchon; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Zane Nonngorr, Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Treyvon Pritchard.
Waratahs: James Hendren, Max Jorgensen, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Sid Harvey, Jack Debreczeni, Jake Gordon; Pete Samu, Charlie Gamble, Clem Halaholo, Angus Blyth, Matt Philip, Daniel Botha, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Harry Potter
Officials: Referee: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The Reds will be riding high after last week’s dramatic win over the Brumbies and also keen to avenge their loss to NSW from Round 1. Les Kiss has brought Tim Ryan back onto the wing, while Seru Uru starts at lock with Josh Canham out. The Waratahs meanwhile fell away completely against the Canes and coach Dan McKellar has swung the axe accordingly, while also promoting Triston Reilly in place of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who could miss two months with a hamstring injury. Look for some nice touches from second-game Sid Harvey, but this feels like a game Queensland could dominate. Reds by 15.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds: $1.38, -6.5 $1.86; Waratahs: $2.90, +6.5 $1.90
Sunday, March 15
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 1:35pm (AEDT)
Blues: Coles Forbes, Codemeru Vai, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Sam Nock, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (captain), Anton Segner, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Lachlan McWhannell, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Zarn Sullivan.
Moana: William Havili, Tevita Ofa, Tevita Latu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Glen Vaihu, Patrick Pellegrini, Augustine Pulu, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Atu Moli, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Monu Moli, Lolani Faleiva, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Ngani Laumape, Tuna Tuitama.
Officials: Referee: James Doleman; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Blues are travelling better than their 2-2 record suggests, they could quite conceivably be 4-0 through four rounds. Beauden Barrett made his comeback last week and he could run riot in this one, alongside hat trick hero Caleb Clarke. Moana Pasifika hung with the Chiefs to halftime in Round 4, before they fell completely off the pace. This one should follow a similar script. Blues by 35.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Blues: $1.01, -27.5 $1.85; Moana: $15, +27.5 $1.90
