The Super Rugby season continues, with Round 2 getting underway on Friday. Check out the full Round 2 teams for every side here.
Queensland have dropped a selection bombshell ahead of their clash with the Lions this weekend, dropping no.10 Isaac Lucas to the bench despite the youngster putting in what most commentators viewed as a solid performance against the Brumbies last week. James O’Connor makes the switch to flyhalf, with Izack Rodda, Hamish Stewart and Alex Mafi all coming off the bench.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa will miss up to two months with an ankle injury.
The Crusaders have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their blockbuster clash with the Chiefs, with no.10 Richie Mo’unga ruled out due to a knee injury. However, they welcome Joe Moody and George Bridge back into the lineup, while also promoting Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece into the XV.
The Chiefs have regained Ben McKenzie at fullback, but have lost Nepo Laulala to a knee injury.
New South Wales have swapped no.8’s ahead of their clash with the Blues in Newcastle, promoting Jack Dempsey to the starting role and relegating Jed Holloway to the bench. It’s one of two changes to the XV for the Waratahs, with Harry Johnson-Holmes returning from illness at the expense of Tetera Faulkner.
Ex-NRL player Tepai Moeroa is also in line for a Super Rugby debut after being named on the bench.
The Brumbies have made one change to their line-up ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels. Darcy Swain will miss with a shoulder injury, allowing last week’s debutant Cadeyrn Neville to earn his first club start. Highly-touted former junior Wallaby Nick Frost has been named on the bench, putting him in line for a potential debut.
In the other camp, Melbourne coach Dave Wessels has made three changes to the forward pack following their shock loss to the Sunwolves in Round 1. Openside flanker Robbie Leota and prop Jermain Aisnley have been relegated to the bench, while Fereti Sa’aga – the other prop – has been left out of the side altogether.
Matt Gibbon, Ruan Smith and Michael Wells are the additions to the XV. Luke Jones is also out due to a back injury and has been replaced by ex-Shark Gideon Koegelenberg, while replacement backs Theo Strang and Andrew Deegan have been dropped in favour of Ryan Louwrens and Campbell Magnay.
After a first-week loss to the Chiefs, the Blues have been absolutely smashed on the injury front. Rieko Ioane is out for several weeks with a broken hand, Alex Hodgman will miss at least a month with a torn calf, while Ray Niuia is done for the season after suffering a knee injury. Jordan Hyland, Blake Gibson, Karl Tu’inukaufe and Josh Goodhue join the XV.
The Highlanders have named a very new-look side to host the Sharks in the round-opener, naming six club debutants alongside just one regular All Black in Aaron Smith.
Keep this post bookmarked, as we’ll reveal every Super Rugby team for Round 2 as they’re announced.
All times listed are AEDT – Sydney/Melbourne time
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Paripari Parkinson, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Dillon Hunt, 7. James Lentjes (c), 8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Josh Ioane, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Tima Fainga’anuku, 15. Josh McKay
Reserves
16. Ash Dixon, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Jesse Parete, 20. Shannon Frizell, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Michael Collins, 23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Sharks
1. Ox Nche, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. James Venter, 7. Tyler Paul, 8. Sikumbuzo Notshe, 9. Louis Schreuder, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 14. Madosh Tambwe, 15. Aphelele Fassi
Reserves
16. Craig Burden, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Henco Venter, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Jeremy Ward
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Andy Muirhead
Rebels
1. Matt Gibbon, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Ruan Smith, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Michael Wells, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Andrew Kellaway, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Marika Koroibete, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c)
Reserves
16. Steven Misa, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Robbie Leota, 21. Richard Hardwick, 22. Ryan Louwrens, 23. Campbell Magnay.
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Tyler Ardron, 5. Mitchell Brown, 6. Lachlan Boshier, 7. Mitchell Karpik, 8. Sam Cane (c), 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Sean Wainui, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves
16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Ollie Norris, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Pita Gus Sowakula, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Alex Nankivell
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Tom Sanders, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. David Havili, 11. George Bridge, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Andrew Makalio, 17. George Bower, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Leicester Faingaanuku
Waratahs
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Tom Staniforth, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Jed Holloway, 21. Tepai Moeroa, 22. Mitch Short, 23. Jack Maddocks
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Hoskins Sotutu; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Mark Telea, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Joe Marchant, 14. Jordan Hyland, 15. Matt Duffie
Reserves
16. James Parsons, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Tom Robinson, 20. Akira Ioane; 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Emoni Narawa
Lions
1. Dylan Smith, 2. Pieter Jansen, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 5. Marvin Orie, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Len Massyn, 9. Morne van den Berg, 10. Elton Jantjies (captain), 11. Courtnall Skosan, 12. Dan Kriel, 13. Duncan Matthews, 14. Tyrone Green, 15. Andries Coetzee
Reserves
16. Jan-Henning Campher, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Ruan Vermaak, 21. Dillon Smit, 22. Manuel Rass, 23. Shaun Reynolds,
Reds
1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Henry Speight, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty – GPS
Reserves
16. Sean Farrell, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Isaac Lucas, 23. Hunter Paisami
Stormers
1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 5. Chris van Zyl, 6. Jaco Coetzee, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Johan du Toit, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 10. Damian Willemse, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Ruhan Nel, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 15. Dillyn Leyds
Reserves
16. Chad Solomon, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Ernst van Rhyn, 21. Juarno Augustus, 22. Godlen Masimla, 23. Jean-Luc du Plessis
Bulls
1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Jaco Visagie, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. Andries Ferreira, 5. Juandré Kruger, 6. Jeandré Rudolph, 7. Abongile Nonkontwana, 8. Josh Strauss, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 10. Morné Steyn, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Burger Odendaal (c), 13. Johnny Kotze, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 15. Warrick Gelant
Replacements
16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Wian Vosloo, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Divan Rossouw
Jaguares
1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Lucas Paulos, 6. Francisco Gorrissen, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Rodrigo Bruni, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Domingo Motta, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 13. Matias Moroni, 14. Sebastien Cancelliere, 15. Santiago Carreras
Reserves
16. Augustin Creevy, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Javier Ortega Desio, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Tomas Albornoz, 23. Santiago Chocobares
Hurricanes
1. Fraser Armstrong, 2. Asofa Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves
16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Vaea Fifita, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Vince Aso
HiKa
Roar Rookie
The old classic of pressure for immediate results versus patience to allow players to develop.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
looks good on paper. Just need more muscle up front.
Locky
Guest
How many Flyhalves has Thorn tried now? Duncan Pauaia, Jono Lance, Hamish Stewart, Ben Lucas ,Isaac Lucas, Bryce Hegarty ,JOC. The bloke has no idea. Get rid of him now.
JP
Guest
Always play your best 15. Lucas is in the best 15 imo.Big error from Thorne.
Jacko
Guest
What does your "read" say the coaching issue is?
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
This feels like a tactical change. I suspect Thorn anticipates the Lions throwing big loosies down the 10 channel and thinks JOC and Stewart can better withstand the battering. Plus it will keep Lucas fresh for the up-tempo Jaguares game in round 3. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lucas subbed at 15 this week if all is going well. It's not the tactic I would have chosen but hey, at least it's a tactic!
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Stormers – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Johan du Toit, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scala Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c). Subs: 16 Chad Solomon 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Juarno Augustus, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis. Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Abongile Nonkontwana, 6. Jeandré Rudolph, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Wian Vosloo, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Divan Rossouw.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I wasn’t. Stewart was given enough chances to show what he had. It turned out to be not much. That’s what p.sses me off about this move, there’s no sense in it at all.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Duncan Matthews, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Ruan Vermaak, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Manny Rass, 23 Shaun Reynolds Glad to see the Lions back to a 5/3 bench. Interesting start for Krappies van den Berg ahead of Dillon Smit. Still no Simelane?
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
I suspect Lucas will predominantly play home games. Maybe away games in Australia. Perhaps Thorn feels he is better suited off the bench in foreign territory for now.
Val Saunders
Guest
As a Red's fan if you weren't concerned before this seems like a repeat of last year when the No 10 changed every week - without success!!! I think O'Connor is a very good player and adds plenty to the Reds but why change him to a position where he certainly failed at international level. A position he didn't play in France and the UK over the last couple of years. Why not play him in a position where he was a success overseas - No 12. Its the old saying - why weaken one position to maybe strengthen another. Lets have faith in the kids and give them what they need - confidence and game time!!!
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Thorn needs to give Lucas a chance to build into the role..... Weren't we saying that about Hamish Stewart a little while ago ?
Ruckkin Oaf
Guest
All of the above
deadwood
Roar Rookie
Is the fly half being swapped after one match a symptom of the coach not really having a clue what direction they're going, an admission of failure with selections last week, rolling the number 10 dice week to week like the last 2 years of his coaching or just some other random silliness to make sure the youngsters know who's boss?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
?? Who?
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Fingers crossed!
HiKa
Roar Rookie
My read on the move is that there is a coaching issue more than anything specific to do with the players involved.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Starting forward pack looks the goods. Fingers crossed for the young reserve front rowers. I wonder if we'll ever get the full story on the movements around the back-line. More hope than expectation of a good performance?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks AJ. Typically, no insight from Thorn.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
It’s not a good long term plan, but after last week I think this will improve their chances. Since I tipped the reds, that’s my main priority :silly: