Round 3 of the Super Rugby season gets underway this Friday – check out the full Round 3 teams for every side here.
Young star Jordan Petaia will miss the Reds’ clash with the Jaguares on Sunday morning having picked up a shoulder injury in training. The news is a blow for the Queensland outfit, who are attempting to end their winless start to the season away to the undefeated Argentinians.
Brad Thorn has made a couple of other changes to his side, moving Jock Campbell to fullback and Bryce Hegarty to the bench, while Hunter Paisami takes Petaia’s spot at outside centre.
However, there’s no change in the haves, with James O’Connor remaining in the no.10 jersey while Isaac Lucas stays parked on the bench and Hamish Stewart at inside centre.
The Brumbies have added James Slipper, Will Miller and Darcy Swain to their run-on XV for Saturday night’s clash with the Highlanders at GIO Stadium. Despite winning their opening two matches of the season, Dan McKellar has elected to make the changes as they look to win their 11th straight game at home.
Scott Sio and Cadeyrn Neville drop to the bench, while Tom Cusack has been rested after he suffered a head injury last week.
Their opponents, the Highlanders, have made three changes too. Shannon Frizell replaces Dillon Hunt at blindside flanker, Patelesio Tomkinson replaces Tima Fainga’anuku on the right wing, while Paripari Parkinson’s injury sees Jesse Parete come into the startling line-up off the bench.
Jack Maddocks will make his first start for the Waratahs against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night, with the former Rebel joining the XV on the left wing at the expense of promising youngster Mark Nawaqanitawse – who’s been dropped to the bench. Rob Penney told AAP the youngster was just being managed.
It’s one of a handful of changes made by first-year coach Penney, who’s promoted Angus Bell to the tighthead prop role, while bringing Jed Holloway back into the XV in the back row. Cameron Clark will also make his 2020 debut on the right wing, with Alex Newsome switching to outside centre.
Melbourne, on the other hand, will head into this must-win clash with a new halfback after Ryan Louwrens was named to start into the no.9 jersey. Richard Hardwick will start at openside flanker, shifting Michael Wells to the blindside, while Campbell Magnay starts at outside centre – shifting Reece Hodge to the wing. Frank Lomani drops to the bench as a result, as do Angus Cottrell and Andrew Kellaway.
The Blues have named a virtually unchanged line-up for their round-opening clash with the Crusaders. Ofa Tuungafasi and James Parsons will join the starting XV, with Kurt Eklund and Sione Mafileo dropping to the bench. The Crusaders receive a huge boost in the form of Richie Mo’unga’s return.
Keep this post bookmarked, as we’ll reveal every Super Rugby team for Round 3 as they’re announced.
All times listed are AEDT – Sydney/Melbourne time
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 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. Kurt Eklund, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Tom Robinson, 20. Tony Lamborn; 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Emoni Narawa
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Tom Sanders, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. David Havili
Reserves
16. Andrew Makalio, 17. George Bower, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Sione Havili, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Will Jordan
Rebels
1. Matt Gibbon, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Ruan Smith, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Michael Wells, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Bill Meakes, 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Reece Hodge, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Steven Misa, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Cabous Eloff, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Angus Cottrell, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Andrew Kellaway
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Tom Staniforth, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Jack Maddocks, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Alex Newsome, 14. Cameron Clark, 15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Lachlan Swinton, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Mark Nawaqantiswase
Sunwolves
15. James Dargaville, 14. Siosaia Fifita, 13. Keisuke Moriya (co-c), 12. Ben Te’o, 11. Tautalatasi Tasi, 10. Garth April, 9. Naoto Saito, 8. Jake Schatz (co-c), 7. Mitch Jacobson, 6. Shunsuke Nunomaki, 5. Kotaro Yatabe, 4. Michael Stolberg, 3. Conraad van Vuuren, 2. Jaba Bregvadze, 1. Jarred Adams
Reserves
16. Efi Ma’afu, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Justin Downey, 20. Tevita Tupou, 21. Takahiro Kimura, 22. Shogo Nakano, 23. JJ Engelbrecht
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Tyler Ardron, 5. Michael Allardice, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Dylan Nel, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Kaleb Trask, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Mitchell Brown, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Tiaan Falcon, 23. Orbyn Leger
Hurricanes
15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Wes Goosen, 13. Vince Aso, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Ben Lam, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 8. Reed Prinsep, 7. Gareth Evans, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Scott Scrafton, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Asafo Aumua, 1. Fraser Armstrong
Reserves
16. Dane Coles, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Liam Mitchell, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Billy Proctor
Sharks
15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7. Tyler Paul, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ox Nche
Reserves
16. Craig Burden, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. Phendulani Buthelezi, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Jeremy Ward
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 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. Tom Ross, 18. Scott Sio, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Andy Muirhead
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Jesse Parete, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 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. Patelesio Tomkinson, 15. Josh McKay
Reserves
16. Ash Dixon, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Conan O’Donnell, 19. Jack Whetton, 20. Dillon Hunt, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Michael Collins, 23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Lions
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Tyrone Green, 13. Manie Rass, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies (c), 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Len Massyn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Pieter Jansen, 1. Dylan Smith
Reserves
16. Jan-Henning Campher, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Hacjivah Dayimani, 22. Dillon Smit, 23. Wandisile Simelane
Stormers
15. Dillyn Leyds, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Damian Willemse, 9. Godlen Masimla, 8. Juarno Augustus, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Johan du Toit, 5. Chris van Zyl, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c)
Reserves
16. Chad Solomon, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. JD Schickerling, 20. Cobus Wiese, 21. Ernst van Rhyn, 22. Paul de Wet, 23. Jean-Luc du Plessis
Jaguares
15. Santiago Carreras, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Matias Moroni, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 10. Domingo Miotti, 9. Felipe Ezcurra, 8. Rodrigo Bruni, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Tomas Lezana, 5. Lucas Paulos, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Lucio Sordoni, 2. Agustin Creevy, 1. Mayco Vivas
Reserves
16. Julian Montoya, 17. Javier Diaz, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Matias Alemanno, 20. Javier Ortega Desio, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Tomas Albornoz, 23. Juan Cruz Mallia
Reds
15. Jock Campbell, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13. Hunter Paisami, 12. Hamish Stewart, 11. Henry Speight, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Tate McDermott, 8. Harry Wilson, 7. Liam Wright (c), 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Angus Blyth, 4. Izack Rodda, 3. Taniela Tupou, 2. Alex Mafi, 1. JP Smith
Reserves
16. Sean Farrell, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Harry Hockings, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Isaac Lucas, 23. Bryce Hegarty
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Well I cannot understand Hunter Paisami getting a start at 13, when Hegarty and Lucas are on the bench. CFS could easily have covered 13, in fact I'd say he's good there. Keep Campbell at wing and Hegarty at 15. Or play JOC at 13 and Hegarty or Lucas at 10.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
It just depends how you define it, because I think Banks has outplayed DHP for a few seasons at super level. But DHP has some really solid international results, which Banks does not.
MitchO
Guest
A lot harder to beat up the 26/27 year old TK than the 20 year old Petaia. One's a man the other's a very young man - who apparently hurt his shoulder at training. By all means bring Petaia into the fold but ease him in. Right now the Rebels have a pretty good opportunity to give Hodge a run at 12. I like Meakes but I do think his ceiling is Super Rugby. That is a pretty high ceiling so good on him. But Hodge could be a good test match 12 and the Rebels don't need him at 13, 15 or wing.
MitchO
Guest
I'd like a fast guy at 15 who plays 15 all the time so ideally Banks or someone would overtake DHP. But Banks is our best option for a pacey winger with a decent boot and full back skills. He'd take a few games to learn how to play wing but at least he's fast and can make up for being a little out of position. There's a lot of love around for the young Lucas. Maybe he adds 10 metres to his kick and he takes 15 in a couple of seasons time. But basically unless or until Banks is good enough to permanently displace DHP at 15 he should be considered for wing. For crying out loud give him a run against a second tier test team. He'd likely score a brace of tries and get some confidence and some hunger to improve.
Roger
Guest
He must be smallest Wallaby prop i have ever seen. I walked past him once before a test at Suncorp v Italy in 2017 and someone whispered that is Tommy Robertson. I said " what ? that tiny chubby short armed fella over there handing out Wallaby Flags ? GTFOH !! "
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But Tom English isn't a 100 test Wallaby. He wouldn't have high demand in Australia now, let alone in a year or two. And he's closer to retirement than Magnay.
Locky
Guest
TWAS you are incorrect, if you are AAC it isn't close to retirement. English is a spring chicken compared to him. You are correct with Petaia Nostradamus. Injured again.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The 10 to 13 relationships are not developed yet either.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Physically he will be able to. But players of his tier tend to retire a little earlier than Wallaby level players. No big contracts to hang around for if you aren't a big name. He's also closer to retirement than Magnay, who's 5 and a half years younger. He's basically 2 years older than English was, when he made his Super Rugby debut.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Not sure that’s really the case. Don’t see why an outside centre cannot play to mid-30s. TK is of a similar age, and is still one of the best 13s in the world.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yeah Tom Robertson looks like he would sit around 90kg if not on a professional gym and dietary regiment. It is actually really interesting seeing former international props after they have retired, to see how unnatural the standard playing weight must be. For so many it seems they must have spent their whole career in a constant battle to keep an extra 20-30kg on or to keep it off, no in between.
Corw
Roar Rookie
Glad to see McCaffrey back this week, if just from the bench.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Red, yep Magnay was a very talented lad who took the Japanese money way too early simply because he wasn't promoted (as HE thought he should have been). No-one ever comes back from Japan a better player (except Fardy). Hope he goes well tonight. Comment on Robertson may prove correct. Let's see how Bell handles the big stage, not just running but all aspects of prop play.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Lions 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Manuel Rass, 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 Marvin 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 Willem Alberts, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Dillon Smit, 23 Wandisile Simelane Stormers 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Johan du Toit, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain) Substitutes: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Ernst van Rhyn, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Most people on earth are a ‘ big step down from the playmaking and organizing of QC.‘ No shame in that (except the shame of the sad waste, imho, of his latter career) Toomua is a gallant soldier and reliable but he is not one to start a fire with the wet twigs his forwards are giving him. Rebels are one 10 short of a picnic. But they may surprise the Tahs tomorrow before they climb back into their shell.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I’d probably have Simone before MT atm.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Forgot to say though. Think it’s a pretty good team overall. If Rennie picked that I would be surprised by a few calls, but not scratching my head in disbelief like I often did with Cheika.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Don’t see a huge amount between them at the present moment. TK better defender but Petaia carries more. TK has the benefit of playing in a better team. I’d still back TK to be our first choice 13 though. Tough to drop one of the world’s best defensive outside centres. I think the form of both TK and Petaia will improve.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
29 in March. Close to the end of his career
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Reckon it’s a ridiculous rule that you can be eligible and then lose it. Once you’ve become eligible for a country, you should stay eligible... (I’m sure someone will come up with a reasoned excuse as to why I am wrong).