The teams of both of the semi-finals, the first between the Hurricanes and Chiefs, the second between the Lions and the Highlanders, have been announced.
Notable decisions for the Hurricanes is Julian Savea still riding the Pine at 23, and Dane Coles being named to start despite concerns over his fitness. For the Chiefs, Tamanivalu comes in for the injured Stephen Donald at outside centre, and Michael Leitch riding the bench.
Hurricanes vs Chiefs in Wellington, Saturday at 5:35pm AEST
Hurricanes (15-1): James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (vc), Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Dane Coles (c)/Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila
Replacements: Riccitelli/Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Vince Aso, Julian Savea. Kick off: 7:35pm.
Chiefs (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Sam McNicol, Seta Tamanivalu, Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (co-c), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tom Sanders, Sam Cane (co-c), Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Atu Moli, Nathan Harris, Kane Hames
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Lachlan Boshier, Michael Leitch, Brad Weber, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
The Lions and Highlanders both have a few changes. Warren Whitley hasn’t been named in the initial 15, a blow for the men from Johannesburg.
Jamie Joseph has made a few changes for the Highlanders, going with a 6-2 bench split and James Lentjes comes into replace Shane Christie.
Lions
1 Dylan Smith
2 Malcolm Marx
3 Julian Redelinghuys
4 Andries Ferreira
5 Franco Mostert
6 Jaco Kriel
7 Warwick Tecklenburg
8 Ruan Ackermann
9 Francois de Klerk
10 Elton Jantjies
11 Courtnall Skosan
12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13 Lionel Mapoe
14 Ruan Combrinck
15 Andries Coetzee
Reserves
16 Armand van der Merwe
17 Corne Fourie
18 Jacques Van Rooyen
19 Lourens Erasmus
20 Stephan de Wit
21 Dillon Smit
22 Howard Mnisi
23 Jaco van der Walt
Highlanders
1 Dan Lienert-Brown
2 Ash Dixon
3 Josh Hohneck
4 Alex Ainley
5 Thomas Franklin
6 Elliot Dixon
7 James Lentjes
8 Luke Whitelock
9 Aaron Smith
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Patrick Osborne
12 Malakai Fekitoa
13 Matt Faddes
14 Waisake Naholo
15 Ben Smith
Reserves
16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Ross Geldenhuys
19 Joseph Wheeler
20 Liam Squire
21 Dan Pryor
22 Te Aihe Toma
23 Marty Banks
Referee: Craig Joubert
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Hurricanes I say.
WEST
Roar Guru
Im with you, but if the Canes win its all good. The Lions see the Canes go down, they could gain some inspiration from that because they'll have a SR home Final. So Im kind of torn I'd rather see the Canes win than the Chiefs because if the Highlanders lose and Chiefs win... Well thats not a good prospect, Lions at home are tough to beat. The main thing is beat the Lions, then what ever happens is all sweet. So Go The Highlanders!!!
Targa
Guest
As a Highlanders fan I'm hoping for a final against the Chiefs in Dunedin (sorry Canes fans), but I'm disappointed that we haven't had any playoff games at home this year.
Dave H
Roar Rookie
Oh yes nearly forgot... GO THE CANES! In the other game with WW out I'm changing my tipping to a narrow Highlanders win and Canes Highlanders final in glorious weather at the Cake Tin. The last part of that sentence is probably the weakest point.
Dave H
Roar Rookie
I'm surprised Coles is there. I know from experience how painful and debilitating rib and carilage injuries can be and truely did not expect him back for this game and maybe not for the next either if they progressed that far. Perhaps they see this as the harder of the two games and are making this their "do or die effort". I'm pleased to see Cane cleared. He has caught a little criticism because he is not playing the explosive attack style of Savea or the turnover producing style of someone like Pocock which tend to draw the admiration of fans but of course he doesn't need to in a team full of strong runners and pilferers ( not sure that's a word). Instead he is bigger this season and is playing with a focus on really aggressive defence and producing tackles that are driving opposition players back and leading to disorganised opposition attack and turnovers. I think him playing the first 55 minutes for the ABs to soften up the bad guys and then Savea coming on to run through and over them will be a good mix. The Crudes v BBBB conflict should get some answers.