The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting 15 ahead of their Round 13 trip to Melbourne for what shapes as a vital clash with the Rebels, with the Super Rugby season reaching the business end.
JP Smith and Angus Blyth have both been promoted from the bench to play front row and lock respectively, while Harry Hoopert, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Caleb Timu and Isaac Lucas have all been named on the bench.
Coach Brad Thron called the benching of Hoopert and Salakaia-Loto rotation, rather than saying either of the duo had been dropped, despite the Reds only just getting out of trouble last week at home against the Sunwolves.
The Rebels have also included Billy Meakes in their starting side, replacing Tom English, who is out of the side altogether.
The Blues have also made a couple of changes ahead of their battle with the Hurricanes in Auckland. Rieko Ioane is back after a week off for rest, while Tanielu Tele’a is back from suspension. Caleb Clarke, Matt Duffie, Tom Robinson and Alex Hodgman will all join Sonny Bill Williams on the sideline this weekend.
The Hurricanes, for their part, welcome back TJ Perenara and Ben Lam.
The Bulls have made two changes for their clash with the ladder-leading Crusaders. South African international forwards Schalk Brits and Jason Jenkins are back into the fold, replacing Jaco Visagie and Jannes Kirsten.
The Crusaders have welcomed back Richie Mo’unga and Ryan Crotty, but will again be without captain Sam Whitelock.
Be sure to bookmark this post and keep checking back over the coming days as all of the squads for Super Rugby Round 13 are announced.
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 13. TJ Faiane, 14. Tanielu Tele’a, 15. Melani Nanai
Bench: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Scott Scrafton, 20. Jed Brown, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Otere Black, 23. Matt Duffie
Hurricanes
1. Toby Smith, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Matt Proctor, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Jordie Barrett
Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Fraser Armstrong, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Kane Le’aupepe, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. James Marshall, 23. Chase Tiatia
Rebels
1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Luke Jones, 7. Angus Cottrell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Billy Meakes, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Bench: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Pone Fa’amausili, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Richard Hardwick, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Campbell Magnay
Reds
1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Angus Blyth, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Samu Kerevi (c), 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Hamish Stewart
Bench: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20. Caleb Timu, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia’aua, 23. Isaac Lucas
Bulls
1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Schalk Brits, 3. Trevor Kyakane, 4. Jason Jenkins, 5. RG Snyman, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Jannes Kirsten, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Andre Warner, 10. Handre Pollard, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Burger Odendaal, 13. Johnny Kotze, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 15. Warrick Gelant
Bench: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Paul Schoeman, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Divan Rossouw
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Mitchell Dunshea, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. David Havili
Bench: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Harry Allan, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Braydon Ennor
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Josh Dickson, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Luke Whitelock (c), 7. James Lentjes, 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Patelesio Tomkinson, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Jordan Hyland, 15. Matt Faddes
Bench:16. Ash Dixon, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Jack Whetton, 20. Liam Squire, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Daniel Hollinshead, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Jaguares
Still to come.
Chiefs
Still to come.
Sharks
Still to come.
Lions
Still to come.
Waratahs
Still to come.
Brumbies
Still to come.
Sunwolves
Still to come.
Bye: Stormers
All times are listed in AEST – Sydney/Melbourne time.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? It's an established fact. Kerevi is injury prone. The fact he's not missed a game so far makes it more likely that likely injury will impact the Wallaby season unfortunately.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Problem is that if he plays 12 he will have to be outside Foley on attack.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I reckon Kerevi will be alright this year. Coming into his physical prime, can be expected to be injured much less. James, did you see the Brumbies signed Nick Frost from now? I remember a couple of years ago you said he had huge potential. Excited to see him running on for the Brumbies later this season, or next.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Thanks, didn't know. He was dropped before that though. Good luck to him.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Ouch.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Unrelated to team lists by Coleman finally announced by London Irish. Probably better for the Rebels for 2020. I think he’s been their second best lock, or lower at times and injured a lot. He’d have to be their highest paid player behind Genia. Rebels have 2 U20 locks coming through including Ha’angana who is in his 3rd year of Aus 20s. Losing Coleman probably will help keep 2 players like Bill Meakes, which is a better result in my eyes.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
He seemed to be out of favour with Thorn prior to that anyway. I think SSY is more Thorn’s type, and Higgs was needed as a LO option.
AJ
Guest
He got a lengthy suspension for punching in a club game in Brisbane.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Got suspended for 5 weeks in a club game.
jameswm
Roar Guru
What has happened with Timu this season? Hope he goes well.
Corw
Roar Rookie
Rebels website says Hodge moved to 13 for Meakes at 12.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Kuridrani is our best 13 by far with Kerevi at 12. At this stage it would be Meakes as back up for either of them.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Rebs stuffed up last week and have again . DHP is not as good as Hodge at 15. Hodge is a 15 not a 12.
DonWan
Guest
Says on the rebels website that Meakes is at 13 and Hodge at 13
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
How do you feel about Plummer tho RT? Because if they're gonna skin us it's likely to be in the halves, on paper at least. Laumape against the Predator should be interesting too. Can't help myself; have already taken them, but not by much...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Strong team, even without Whitelock and Franks. They should deliver in the cauldron that is Loftus...
AJ
Guest
Rob I would really love nothing more than to see some rewards for the time and faith invested in Chris Feauai-Sautia and for himself. Would be a good time for a couple of dominant performances.
AJ
Guest
Watched a replay of Souths vs Bond with Blythe playing for the GC team. Tough game in the wet but he went ok with solid lineout and tight 5 play, good hands and a meat pie. He'll feel difference starting though, will be interesting. Hopefully he'll improve the lineout at least. Good bench for the Reds. Rebels will target 14 and 15 with kicks.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's no lock because based on the past 5 years, he'll unfortunately probably be injured.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yes Thorne won’t risk losing a conference game by resting our best player and key to our point scoring. Better to to do it when we are less to win anyway.