The teams for Round 5 of Super Rugby AU have been announced, with few major changes across the four sides in action this week.
The Waratahs have largely kept the same side which went down in a narrow defeat to the Force two weeks ago, sticking with Mark Nawaqanitawase at fullback and Jack Maddocks on the wing after the former put in one of his best Super Rugby performances wearing the number 15.
The only change to the Tahs’ starting XV comes in the front row, where props Harry Johnson-Holmes and Tetera Faulkner have swapped sides.
Lalakai Foketi is one of four additions to the bench, alongside George Francis, Darcy Breen and Sam Wykes.
The Rebels, who are playing their first game at home in more than a year, welcome back Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese to their side via the reserves, with Rob Leota and Matt Gibbon also added to the pine. Steve Cummins has been promoted to the run-on team following Ross Haylett-Petty’s three-week suspension.
In the Saturday game, the Western Force have made a significant reshuffle of their line-up. Greg Holmes starts in his 150th Super Rugby game, swapping places with Argentinian prop Santiago Medrano. Sitaleki Timani and Henry Taefu have also been added to the XV, and Richard Kahui moves to the wing with Toni Pulu out injured and Marcel Brache shifting to the reserves.
Tim Anstee, who put in a star performance against the Waratahs in Round 3, has been named on the bench after missing last week with injury.
For the Reds, Brad Thorn has persisted with the midfield combination of Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia even as Hamish Stewart returns to the side after missing last week’s win over the Brumbies due to disciplinary issues. He comes onto the bench for Josh Flook, while lightning-fast winger Ilaisa Droasese replaces Filipo Daugunu.
Kalani Thomas gets a run as the back-up scrumhalf in place of Moses Sorovi.
Friday, 7:45pm (AEDT), AAMI Park
Rebels
(1-15): Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Steve Cummins, Trevor Hosea, Joshua Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Lachie Anderson, Tom Pincus
Bench: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Tom Nowlan, Rob Leota, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Frank Lomani
Waratahs
(1-15): Harry Johnson-Holmes, David Porecki, Tetera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Sam Caird, Lachie Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome (c), Jack Maddocks, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Bench: Tom Horton, George Francis, Darcy Breen, Sam Wykes, Jeremy Williams, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEDT), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
(1-15): Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Ilaisa Droasese, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Bench: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Bryce Hegarty
Force
(1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Greg Holmes, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander (c), Tomas Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui, Henry Taefu, Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Robert Kearney
Bench: Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Jack McGregor, Marcel Brache
ScottD
Roar Guru
I like the way you thinking ???? unfortunately Force historically dont play well in wet conditions
Charlie Turner
Guest
A. Muirhead is the form right wing in AU. Great all round skills.....I think he would excell at International level.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
With Daugunu unavailable it should have been HS at 12, Piasami 13, Petaia 14. Then again, DR visits Ballymore, probably wants more of his Wallaby centre pairing. So, for Reds the backline is good, just not as good as it could be.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
I like Pincus and see potential but I don’t think he’s underrated. Not yet. If he can improve his kicking game he’ll be on his way. Poor Muirhead, he’d basically have to play like Cheslin Kolbe each game to get a look in. He hardly ever puts a foot wrong.
Reedy
Guest
Rebels comfortably. Force in an upset in the wet.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
In this game, the definition of “peesonal” CAN be almost anything. No doubt we’ll hear a bit more in due course.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Good seeing Stewart back in the mix and Kemeny starting,Kemeny is very underated. If I had to pick my top 5 most underrated players in AUS they will mostly be Rebels 1.Orr 2.Kemeny 3.Pincus 4.Stewart 5.Warner Muirhead is top draw and no matter how good he is, he will never get a run of games in Wallaby gold.
Daveski 2.0
Roar Rookie
Seriously ? ‘Personal’ reasons.... births, deaths, sickness, health you know that type of stuff that isn’t our business !
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
The only good news for me about the tahs side is HJH switching back to loose head. He is not a tight head and has struggled. I would have preferred Tetra off the bench with their best scrummager and specialist tight head Talakai starting with Porecki and HJH. Long night for the tahs at scrum. No idea who the replacement props are.Shame Timani picked the force not the tahs. When you see Sinclair who should be at 8 picked in the second row, gees there stuffed. Got a good young player in Maxwell floating in the background, would not hurt to give him game time.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I wonder what they are ?
pm
Roar Rookie
Seemed to hold up fairly well in the scrums against Tupou a few weeks back, which says a bit
Kick n Clap
Guest
Bobby, I really hope they keep to their “Badge of honour” for him? Then if that’s the case, they’ve got go home with Big Loss?? The Farce have got to keep to their protocol’s and KPI’s. Unfortuately the stats don’t lie ?
robbo999
Roar Rookie
Good to see that The Rebels will have a competitive front row late in the game. I was expecting more changes but that looks like being pushed to after the bye. I wonder when the Puma lock will make an appearance, or did he do a hammy in lockdown?
jeznez
Roar Guru
I've been impressed by the update to the website and articles from Jim Tucker (among others).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah very true. Really it’s content that they should be pushing the franchises to provide. I know the Rebels are doing stuff like this as they email it to their database
Brett McKay
Expert
I'm surprised they're publishing as much as they are, TWAS. The comms and digital areas were among the hardest hit when push came to shove last year...
Tony H
Roar Pro
Not dropped - unavailable for personal reasons.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That was his description on Ultimate Rugby, seems out of date. Per Mused’s comment he’s been at East’s in Brissie. Looks like he’s only 22, was playing Oz U-20’s in 2018 and Australia A for the match against the Argies last year. Might be one Eastwood rue letting go.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Love the Eloff. How could you not like the Eloff?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Great......