A rare Friday triple-header headlines this weekend’s Super Rugby action. Check out the full Round 6 teams for every side here.
Injuries are the order of the day for many Australian sides as they enter crucial Round 6 fixtures missing big names. The Waratahs have arguably been the hardest hit, with captain Rob Simmons (ankle), Mark Nawaqantiawase (back), Jake Gordon (knee) and Tom Robertson (back) all ruled out of their Friday night clash with the Chiefs.
That sees Ryan McCauley, Mitch Short and James Ramm added to a new-look XV, with up to three debutants joining the interchange alongside Rory O’Connor.
The injury to Simmons also sees Kurtley Beale named captain.
Earlier that day, the Brumbies will ‘visit’ the Sunwolves at the same venue after the match was moved to Wollongong amidst the coronavirus outbreak in Japan. Fresh off the bye, the Brumbies have given Ryan Lonergan his debut Super Rugby start, where he’ll pair with Noah Lolesio in the halves against the Japanese side. Toni Pulu and Scott Sio have also been added to the run-on XV.
Their opponents have made a sweep of changes to the side after surrendering a whopping 20 tries in their previous two matches – including the relegation of co-captain Keisuke Moriya to the bench.
The Reds, on the other hand, have been hit with a huge injury blow ahead of their match against the Crusaders – the middle game of the Friday triple-header – with James O’Connor forced to miss with an ankle injury. That sees Isaac Lucas come on as fly-half and Scott Malolua join the starting line-up at no.9. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also been promoted to the starting XV.
Down in Melbourne, the Rebels will go into their clash the Lions unchanged for the first time since 2015.
Bookmark this page as we’ll have every Super Rugby side for Round 6 listed here as they’re announced.
All times listed are AEDT – Sydney/Melbourne time
Sunwolves
1. Nic Mayhew, 2. Eftusi Maafu, 3. Conraad van Vuuren, 4. Kotaro Yatabe, 5. Michael Stolberg, 6. Justin Downey, 7. Shunsuke Nunomaki, 8. Jake Schatz (c), 9. Rudy Paige, 10. Garth April, 11. Tautalatasi Tasi, 12. Ben Te’o. 13. Siosaia Fifita, 14. JJ Engelbrecht, 15. Yoshizumi Takeda
Reserves
16. Jaba Bregvadze, 17. Jarred Adams, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Ben Hyne, 20. Tevita Tupou, 21. Naoto Saito, 22. Jumpei Ogura, 23. Keisuke Moriya
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Tom Wright
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Scott Barrett (c) 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Tom Sanders, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Leicester Faingaanuku, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. George Bridge
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister, 17. George Bower, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Sione Havili, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Manasa Mataele
Reds
1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Scott Malolua, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Henry Speight, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Jock Campbell
Reserves
16. Ed Craig, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Filipo Daugunu
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ryan McCauley, 5. Tom Staniforth, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Jack Maddocks, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Alex Newsome, 14. James Ramm, 15. Kurtley Beale (c)
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Rory O’Connor, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Pat Tafa, 20. Jed Holloway, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Siosifa Lisala
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 4. Michael Allardice, 5. Tyler Ardron, 6. Lachlan Boshier, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Pita Gus Sowakula, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Sean Wainui, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Tumua Manu, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Solomon Alaimalo
Reserves
16. Donald Maka, 17. Ryan Coxon, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Mitchell Karpik, 21. Lisati Milo-Harris, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Alex Nankivell
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asofo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 10. Fletcher Smith, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Vince Aso, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves
16. Dane Coles, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. James Blackwell, 20. Devan Flanders, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Wes Goosen
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Jacob Pierce, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Otere Black, 11. Mark Telea, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Joe Marchant, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Reserves
16. James Parsons, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Tony Lamborn, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Matt Duffie
Rebels
1. Matt Gibbon, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Gideon Koegelenberg, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Cabous Eloff, 19. Ross Haylett-Petty, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Michael Wells, 23. Andrew Deegan
Lions
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Tyrone Green, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Jamba Ulengo, 10. Elton Jantjies (c), 9. Andre Warner, 8. Len Massyn, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Pieter Jansen, 1. Dylan Smith
Reserves
16. Jan-Hemming Campher, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Hacjivah Dayimani, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Shaun Reynolds, 23. Courtnall Skosan
Sharks
15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Sikhumbuzo 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. Henco Venter, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Madosh Tambwe
Jaguares
1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Joel Sclavi, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Tomas Lezana, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Rodrigo Bruni, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 13. Matias Moroni, 14. Santiago Carreras, 15. Joaquin Tuculet
Reserves
16. Santiago Socino, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Santiago Medrano, 19. Lucas Paulos, 20. Santiago Grondona, 21. Sebastien Cancelliere, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Santiago Chocobares
Bulls
1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Jaco Visagie, 3. Trevor Nyakane (c), 4. Ian Gorenewald, 5. Ruan Nortje, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Josh Strauss, 8. Muller Uys, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Manie Libbok, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Johnny Kotze, 13. Nafi Tuitavake, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 15. Warrick Gelant
Reserves
16. Corniel Els, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ryno Pieterse, 20. Ruan Steenkamp, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Morné Steyn, 23. Divan Rossouw
Highlanders
15. Michael Collins, 14. Josh McKay, 13. Ngane Punivai, 12. Josh Ioane, 11. Jona Nareki, 10. Mitch Hunt, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7. Dillon Hunt, 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 4. Jesse Parete, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 2. Liam Coltman, 1. Ayden Johnstone
Reserves
16. Ash Dixon (c), 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Jack Whetton, 20. Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Teihorangi Walden, 23. Tima Fainga’anuku
Humey
Guest
A fair few veteran flyhalves playing in Super Rugby in 2020. Steyn Cruden Barrett Toomua Jantjies de la Fuente JOC etc etc. Good to see.
Jamie
Guest
Not really. He was never and AB, so he has the benefit of the doubt. We shall see.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith. Subs: 16 Jan Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Courtnall Skosan. Good to see Simelane starting and the Lions going back to a 5/3 bench
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
Steyn starting on the bench for the Bulls, interesting move. I'm surprised they didn't move him to inside centre to support the young fly half, although admittedly I haven't seen enough of the Bulls games to judge his performance relative to the incumbent inside centre.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
I guess from that logic that Rennie is also a sleeper?
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Tahs have lost nothing. Well done Kurtley, a natural leader.
Jamie
Guest
Remember coach Goon is a life member of the Crusaders. He wants the Reds to have the weakest possible team to face his favourite team. McDermott and Rodda should have played no question. Another sleeper move from the New Zealander.
Richie
Roar Rookie
If that’s wild, there’s not much room for crazy. :shocked:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Sounds like the reds a few years back.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
You have a wild imagination Richie
jeznez
Roar Guru
Not the articles I've seen. A simple acknowledgement that losing Latu, Kepu, Miller, Wells, Phipps, Foley, AAC, Rona and Folau from a side that won 6 from 16 meant we are in for a torrid year. All those losses above and the only experienced players they added to the squad are Abel and Faulkner. Anyone hyping them has a distorted view of reality.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Just telling you how I see it. :silly:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Stewart was a breakaway when he was younger maybe. He played 1st XV as a 10.
Double Agent
Guest
Rubbish.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Perhaps on Stewart, I just don't see it though...
Richie
Roar Rookie
There was plenty of hype in the media about them! And still is.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well, we were feeling okay, then boom! Saders and. Chiefs and a few injuries. Cometh the hour cometh the man. There are some young professional OZ players who will either rise or learn a lot in 80 minutes. Wollongong the Brave, especially for the young Tahs..
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
The big difference between Lynagh and Stewart is that Lynagh was an outstanding fly half at schoolboy level and Stewart was a breakaway. Lynagh was sublime in the Terrace 1st XV in 1980 and 1981. He was always going to be a legend. Stewart may end up being a legend, I hope he does, but he was a forward learning to be a back.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The Reds have not needed an attacking 10 for two years, Fionn.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
At least try someone else kicking for goals. That’s if the Reds get any chances for a kick. Jock Cambell doesn’t seem up to scratch as a kicker. This is a game Daugunu might do well in against the Crusaders. They haven’t got the biggest wingers but they're sharp at that. I’d be tempted to put CFS to outside centre for defense/ attack and use Daugunu and Speight on the wings. I can’t see QLD getting through the Crusaders in the middle now O’Connor and McDermott aren’t there.