The New South Wales Waratahs have been forced into five changes ahead of their Saturday night date with the Highlanders, including the losses of Angus Bell, Te Tera Faulkner and Harry Johnson-Holmes.
It means the front row now comprises Andrew Tuala and Darcy Breen alongside David Porecki at hooker. The injury carnage means the Tahs haven’t even named a reserve tighthead prop on the teamsheet.
The Tahs have also lost Ben Donaldson to a groin injury, meaning Will Harrison now joins Jake Gordon in the halves and Tane Edmed joins the bench.
Co-coaches Chris Whitaker and Jason Gimore have also elected to promote Carlo Tizzano to the run-on XV for the first time this Trans-Tasman season, moving Will Harris to the bench and Jack Dempsey to number eight.
The Queensland Reds have named an unchanged XV for their Friday night Super Rugby Trans-Tasman encounter with the Blues, but both Fraser McReight and Seru Uru have been left out of the matchday squad entirely.
Coach Brad Thorn has rewarded the entire starting side that raced out to a 33-3 halftime lead against the Chiefs, but McReight and Uru would seem to be casualties of the lacklustre finish from the bench unit which saw the Reds end up winning by less than a converted try.
The duo have been replaced amongst the reserves by Angus Blyth and Sam Wallis, while Moses Sorovi in for Kalani Thomas is the third and final change to the squad.
The match will be the 100th Super Rugby appearance for Reds flyhalf and co-captain James O’Connor.
The Blues, meanwhile, welcome back All Blacks prop Ofa Tuungafasi to their squad, and lock Patrick Tuipulotu returns to the starting XV for the first time in more than two months. Tuipuloptu takes the captaincy back off Tom Robinson, and there’s a change in the back row, with Akira Ioane starting at number eight and Hoskins Sotutu moving to the bench.
“There’s not much in it between the two,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.
“Aki got the nod just because of his defensive physicality… but expect to see Hoskins early as well.”
Meanwhile, the Western Force have made four changes to their run-on XV ahead of Friday night’s tough matchup with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Tevita Kuridrani returns to the line-up at outside centre, shifting Richard Kahui to the left wing and Jordan Olowofela to the pine, while Jake Strachan will replace Rob Kearney at fullback due to Kearney succumbing to concussion.
In the forwards, Ollie Callan will make his first ever start for the Force at number eight (Tim Anstee has gone to the reserves), while Felite Kaitu’u replaces Andrew Ready (also on the bench) at hooker.
Ian Prior will have to celebrate Super Rugby cap number 100 from the interchange bench.
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman line-ups are named at least 48 hours before kick-off. Be sure to come back to this page throughout the week as more teams are announced.
Friday, 5:05pm (AEST), Orangetheory Stadium
Crusaders
1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa. 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7. Sione Havili Talitui, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Isileli Tu’ungafasi, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Tom Sanders, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Dallas McLeod, 23. Josh McKay
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Ollie Callan, 9. Tomás Cubelli, 10. Domingo Miotti, 11. Richard Kahui, 12. Kyle Godwin (c), 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Angus Wagner, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Tim Anstee, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Jordan Olowofela
Friday, 7:45pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
(15-1): Bryce Hegarty, Suliasi Vunivalu, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, James O’Connor (c), Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright (c), Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Ilaisa Droasese
Blues
(15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Mark Telea, Otere Black, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Karl Tu’inukuafe
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Jacob Pierce, Hoskins Sotutu, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam
Saturday, 5:05pm (AEST), Forsyth Barr Stadium
Highlanders
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Ash Dixon (c), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. James Lentjes, 7. Billy Harmon, 8. Kazuki Himeno, 9. Kayne Hammington, 10. Mitch Hunt, 11 Jona Nareki, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Michael Collins, 14. Patelesio Tomkinson, 15. Josh Ioane
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Josh Dickson, 20. Hugh Renton, 21. James Arscott, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Waratahs
1. Andrew Tuala, 2. David Porecki, 3. Darcy Breen, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Jack Whetton, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon (c), 10. Will Harrison, 11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Izaia Perese, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Jack Maddocks
Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Chris Talakai, 18. TBC, 19. Sam Caird, 20. Will Harris, 21. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 22. Jack Grant, 23. Tane Edmed
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), GIO Stadium
Brumbies
(15-1): Tom Banks, Solomone Kata, Len Ikitau, Bayley Kuenzle, Mack Hansen, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Henry Stowers, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Harry Lloyd, Sefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Tom Cusack, Nic White, Irae Simone, Tom Wright
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Luke Campbell, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Salesi Rayasi, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brayden Lose, 21. Gareth Evans, 22. Cam Roigard, 23. Wes Goosen
Sunday, 3pm (AEST), Leichhardt Oval
Chiefs
1. Reuben O’Neill, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Pita Gus Sowakula, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Kaleb Trask
Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Mitchell Brown, 20. Zane Kapeli, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Alex Nankivell, 23. Chase Tiatia
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eloff, 4. Rob Leota, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Michael Wells, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua (c), 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. George Worth
Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Ross Haylett-Petty, 20. Michael Iecly, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Andrew Kellaway, 23. Frank Lomani
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Off the bench. (The “finishers”)
Guess
Roar Rookie
Hooper haters are funny
Maybe he has some niggling injuries. maybe he needs a rest. You comments are nothing but anti Thorn no matter how successful he has been and you dont know his reasons for resting McReight but you presume garbage because of your anti Thorn ignorance.
James GC
Roar Rookie
JOC being reported as out injured with Hegarty to take his place and Stuart at 15 eek Blues by plenty. With Jock injured I would have been ok with an all Fijian back three with Daugunu at 15.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
A few weeks back Mc Reight was player of the match in the SR Au final now he's back at the club this weekend. Thorn doesn't care about cohesion. It will be up to BPA to break the line, score tries out wide and do the fetching this week.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
JOC is apparently ruled out. This is now a huge test for the Reds as a team. A win here will show that even if they did have as many injuries as other SR Au teams they probably would have performed as well
RedWallaby
Roar Rookie
I know. Not sure why people still have the knives out for him. Best performed team v nz teams in TT. I think everything he talks about in the media makes sense. ie being disappointed with performance against tahs in SR au despite winning knowing that producing that many turnovers would be punished in the TT. Hopefully QLD continues to improve for the rest of the TT and people pay thorn the respect he derserves. Tough tonight without O’Connor though.
ajhreds
Rhys, Big difference in opposition standard between Super Rugby AU and TT. So a coach Brad or anyone else should not rest on results from Super Rugby AU. 1. Reds have had a poor outcome trying to get out pf their 22 particularly with Hegarty @ Fullback. Jock Campbell moved to Wing instead of his best position@15 who has a decent boot and is good at the back was terrible. Reds could have had a potent back 3. If Campbell was out and I am sure we could have found a better fullback and even Stewart would be better at the back then Hegarty. 2. The defense has been poor and the speed of the Kiwis in turnover and attack/defence transition leaps above anything in Super Rugby AU. It's porably the reason why McRight and Uru were dropped - but I would thought the bench is far enough. Other forwards were more @ fault with their defence. Anyway not looking good for the Reds this weekend.
Yes it would be horrible to see him win the comp again as coach next year wouldnt it. He has to go. Why are they waiting?
Yep. Winning the comp is just unacceptable. Sack Thorn for winning the comp by only a couple of points in the final. Its just not good enough....
Kevin Kranston
Guest
Is this the same Hooper who left oz to play in Japan whilst his teammates are getting pumped ? That is no leader of men. That is a spoilt brat with only $$$$$$ on his mind.
Tommy
Guest
No Hooper wasn`t dumped out unfairly like McRreight, but they ( Wallabies and Tahs) kept on losing with him. From my observations Hooper being dumped would have helped his form. Thinking he is entitled made his form dip catastrophically to never recover. Which was the case from 2016 -2020. He knows he doesn`t have to play well to be selected .We have witnessed it over the last 6 years.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Tahs
jameswm
Roar Guru
Hooper wasn't getting dumped out of the 23 though.
jameswm
Roar Guru
What test for the young front row? Tupou will play 75+ mins, maybe BPA similar.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Tahs missing their best 3 props. No chance now, we were a slim chance before. McReight is playing left right out? Wow.
soapit
Roar Guru
hegarty for maddox? yes please
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
He's welcome at the Force Max!
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yep, we need a bit of that size in the Wallabies in the 13 shirt now Kerevi has left us.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Thorn wins SR au and then as soon as there's a slight rough patch the brad bashers come out, I don't get it