It hasn’t been a happy start for Australian teams in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition but as the saying goes “you’re only as good as your last week.”
In Round 3, the Western Force travel to New Zealand to take on the Hurricanes on Friday night. The Force have been the most consistent Australian team so far after losing their opening two Trans-Tasman matches by a combined margin of 11 points.
Coach Tim Sampson has made four changes to his lineup including Hooker Andrew Ready who has made the starting lineup with Feleti Kaitu’u moved to the bench.
Domingo Miotti will start at flyhalf replacing Jake McIntyre who suffered a concussion last week while Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani is back in the side’s 23.
The Hurricanes have made a number of changes including giving the captaincy to Reed Prinsep in order for Dane Coles to have a rest.
Coach Jason Holland is reportedly keen to use as much of his squad as possible in order to create competition for positions.
Meanwhile, The Queensland Reds will play debutant Isaac Henry after the team’s disappointing performance against the Crusaders last week.
Filipo Daugunu is back in the team at the expense of Jock Campbell while Fraser McReight has been relegated to the bench as the Reds look to have someone to finish the game strong.
All teams for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman will be announced at least 48 hours before kick-off. Keep this page bookmarked as we update it with all the team info throughout the week.
Friday, 5:05pm (AEST), McLean Park
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep (c), 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Luke Campbell, 10. Orbyn Leger, 11. Salesi Rayasi, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Jordie Barrett
Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. James Blackwell, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Vince Aso
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Ainstee, 9. Tomás Cubelli, 10. Domingo Miotti, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Kyle Godwin (c), 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Rob Kearney
Bench: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u, 17. Angus Wagner, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Jack McGregor, 23. Tevita Kuridrani
Saturday, 3:05pm (AEST), WIN Stadium
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. David Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Jack Whetton, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Jack Dempsey, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon (C), 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Alex Newsome, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Izaia Perese, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Will Harrison
Bench: 16. Joe Cotton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Sam Caird, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Jack Grant, 22. Tepai Moeroa, 23. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Crusaders
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Quinten Strange, 5. Scott Barrett (c), 6. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7. Sione Havili Talitui, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Dallas McLoed, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Tamati Williams, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Michael Dunshea, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Manasa Mataele
Saturday, 5:15pm (AEST), Eden Park
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Tom Robinson (c), 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Otere Black, 11. AJ Lam, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Bryce Heem, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Mark Telea
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Henry Stowers, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Folau Fainga’a, , 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Sefo Kautai, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Mack Hansen
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), QCB Stadium
Reds
1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Young, 7. Liam Wright (cc), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor (cc), 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Isaac Henry, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Suliasi Vunivalu, 15. Bryce Hegarty
Bench: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Seru Uru, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Ilaisa Droasese
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Mitchell Brown, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Pita Gus Sowakula, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Brad Weber (c), 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Chase Tiatia, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Kaleb Trask
Bench:, 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Reuben O’Neill, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Zane Kapeli, 20. Liam Messam, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Shaun Stevenson
Sunday, 3:00pm (AEST), Leichhardt Oval
Highlanders
1. Ethan De Groot, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Hugh Renton, 9. Aaron Smith (cc), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Michael Collins, 14. Patelesio Tomkinson, 15. Josh Ioane
Bench: 16. Ash Dixon (cc), 17. Ayden Johnstone, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Kazuki Himeno, 21. Ngatungane Punivai, 22. Billy Harmon
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eloff, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Michael Wells, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua (c), 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. George Worth
Bench: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Lucio Sordoni, 19. Steve Cummins, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Stacey Ili, 23. Andrew Kellaway
piru
Roar Rookie
*Won against Rebels *Won against Tahs *Won against Reds You seem confused, as usual
Rhys
Roar Rookie
What! That is a huge list! I am very happy about Pasitoa though, he should be starting at 10 for the Force next year imo. Kuenzle would have been better served staying and being the backup as he already is. I wonder who the backup 10 will be for them next year with Hansen gone then?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
That is true, watching Campbell kick for goal was agonising last year when JOC was unavailable.
DCNZ
Guest
I wonder what we feel the match of the round to be. I'm going to Rebels vs Landers on Sunday. Should be fun.
MO
Guest
There's alot of Whitelocks in NZ rugby and they are all good. Maybe they found a spare? Wouldn't mind borrowing one. I'll take a Barrett too.
MO
Guest
Yeah I heard Cubelli is going but no real info. Just a comment in the article which said Force have picked up Fines, Kuenzle, Pasitoa and Reece Tapine all from the Brumbies. Ouch!
MO
Guest
At least the Reds have picked the best starting front row Rhys B. How many minutes do you think Fotouaika is good for RB?
MO
Guest
At the boys have been playing the full 80 right through. so they are giving themselves a chance. Didn't drop their bundle after the Holmes card either. Reckon the starting problem is the Canes have a pretty good list.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, Perese has been struggling a bit in that 13 channel on D. He's fine front on but struggling a bit with positioning and decision making. Foketi could be alright but looking a bit slow. Definitely think Walton is the long term 13, would like Perese playing a wing role with the ability to run off 10 like Digby Ioane used to run off Quade. We've got some developing talent on the wings but no one in Perese's class.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I'd still like to see Foketi and Perese swapped, particularly on defence. Perese doesn't seem to make good defensive choices, let alone organise everyone else around him. Agree regarding Tizzano, and Gamble too. I don't know what Dempsey brings over them besides perhaps some more experience?
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I think Hegarty's boot is more trusted than Campbell's, and with JOC's ankle injury history they need the FB to take some of the pressure off him, particularly given neither winger is a renowned kicker. Personally I think Campbell has more to offer, but I guess the decision comes down to the game plan and Hegarty seems to execute it more reliably.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's what it look so like but the kicking for the 50/22, imo, was working well and even with the laws back to normal if executed right can put the opposition on the backfoot. I think Thorn needs to really look to adjust the rest of the way out now.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Not sure there is much official about the rumour. Probably just speculation based on him being off contract at the end of the year and Hooper coming back. May happen. But I don’t think it’s decided
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Yeah, they appear to have been trying a lot of contestable kicks, perhaps because the 22/50s and 50/22s are no longer an option.
Ex force fan
Guest
Your coffee is cold...
Ex force fan
Guest
I am more worried that we have not won in NZ for a long time and that there may be a lack of belief that the Force can win, especially among our team, the opposition and the officials. It takes long to change minds.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
So . . . ? . ? he replaces himself with 20 to go?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
"He’s a great player though and will be a real gun with some more experience." Yep. But I believe I read on here the other day that he was bound for the Force. I'm disappointed for the Tahs, but better the Force than be lost to Oz rugby.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Without knowing the plan they have for him. Making a zillion tackles may not be a good thing if he is never where he needs to be in the defensive planning. If he’s doubling up on tackles others are covering it could leave you short elsewhere. He does need to work on other aspects of his game though. The Saders are a team that will happily play without the ball. So making a lot of tackles may not be as important as other things that others contribute. He’s a great player though and will be a real gun with some more experience.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Jock Campbell is injured