The NSW Waratahs have named three debutants to kick off the 2022 Super Rugby season while James O’Connor will play in his 100th Super Rugby game as the Round 1 teams are announced.
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman has picked Geoff Cridge, Dylan Pietsch and Jamie Roberts with two of the debutants named in the starting 15.
Pietsch is a former Australian Sevens player and will line up on the right wing.
“It’s pretty surreal, I tried to hold back my tears during the team meeting but didn’t really do a good job of it because I’ve wanted to play Super Rugby since I started at Leeton Phantoms when I was four,” Pietsch said.
As expected, the Queensland Reds have named Tate McDermott and Liam Wright as co-captains.
Wallabies O’Connor and McDermott will start in the halves, with Hamish Stewart and Josh Flook outside them in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has named a team that includes 12 Wallabies against the Western Force on Sunday afternoon.
It will be a big weekend of action with Matt Philip returning for the Rebels to be joined in the second-row by Ross Haylett-Petty.
Fullback Reece Hodge and centre Matt To’omua have been cleared of injury.
Friday, 7:45pm, CommBank Stadium
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Davie Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Geoff Cridge, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi,13. Izaia Perese, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Alex Newsome.
Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Jamie Roberts.
Fijian Drua
1. Jone Koroiduadua, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 9. Simione Kuruvoili, 10. Baden Kerr, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Kitone Ratu, 15. Selestino Ravutaumada.
Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Caleb Muntz, 23. Onisi Ratave
Saturday, 2:35pm, FMG Stadium, Waikato
Chiefs
1. Ollie Norris, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. Brodie Retallick,6. Luke Jacobson, 7. Sam Cane (cc), 8. Pita Gus Sowakula, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Alex Nankivell, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Emoni Narawa,
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Brad Weber (cc), 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Chase Tiatia.
Highlanders
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Josh Timu, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Mosese Dawai, 15. Sam Gilbert.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Marty Banks, 22. Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Saturday, 5:05pm (AEST), Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Battett (c), 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. George Bridge, 15. Will Jordan.
Reserves: 16. Shilo Klein, 17. George Bower, 18. Tamaiti Williams, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Mitchell Dunshea, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Simon Hickey, 23. Sevu Reece.
Hurricanes
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Justin Sangster,6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Xavier Numia,18. Ben May,19. Reed Prinsep, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Richard Judd, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.
Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Reds
1. Dane Zander, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. James O’Connor,11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell.
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Spencer Jeans, 22. Hunter Paisami, 23. Lawson Creighton.
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eboff, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Ross Haylett-Petty, 6. Sam Wallis, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Matt To’omua, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Reece Hodge.
Reserves: 16. Matt Gibbon, 17. James Hanson, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Thomas Nowlan, 20. Tamati Ioane, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Raymond Nu’u, 23. Young Tonumaipea.
Sunday, 3pm, GIO Stadium
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks.
Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Ed Kennedy, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Ollie Sapsford, 23. Jesse Mogg.
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Anstee, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Manasa Mataele*, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. Kyle Godwin (vc), 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui.
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TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great signing for us, particularly as Tevita went to France. Mataele will be huge for Fiji at next World Cup.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
oz, can you imagine how much you would have to pay for the convenience if there was a monpoly and all sports were on one provider? It sucks but ultimately I thnk competition is good for the sports. We share the subs around within the family. Cheers
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
:shocked: :laughing:
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
As another poster said Mataele was with Crusaders. He was super dynamic until he blew out his ACL a few seasons back. Some athletes need a full 2 years before they regain pre ACL injury strength and flexibility. Before his injury Mataele was ahead of Sevu Reece on the Crusaders wing. If he regains the pre injury form, watch out. Could be a wise move by the Force in signing him.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Holy cr£p. I’ll stop moaning
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
For the season. Not terrible but I already pay for Sky and BT so frustrating
ScottD
Roar Guru
Mataele was recruited from the Crusaders . He was there for 3-4 years but couldn't get game time in front of the two All Black starters
ScottD
Roar Guru
The question is why do they have 9 Wallabies?
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Liam Wright is a very good player but is he really the best 7 in the team? Then why is he captain? If McReight moves teams because the coach thinks his face is crooked or he doesn’t pray hard enough I will resume sending pics of my brown starfish to Ballymore.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I hate to say it, but the Tahs will go well this year.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Hamish Stewart…….. Who does he have komprimat?
Bobbles
Guest
Hodge is a poor 15 imo. Slow wind up on his kick, poor under the high ball and has slow top end speed. Wallaby 15 no way.
Geoff
Guest
Agree totally. Tah fans cry " But but but Perese can run hard and score tries " The rest of us "Unfortunately he can't tackle"
Juan_Time
Roar Rookie
thanks GP. Hadn't heard of Maiava, but Rugpypass schools world xv.
Juan_Time
Roar Rookie
Definitely interested to see how W Force go. Excited about Pasitoa and Kuenzle. Pack looks strong with Rodda, FLW, and Stander at 6. Kaitu'u will grow with WB experience. Surprised no McGregor, Lacey, Ralston in the 14/15 spot, although Strachan looked okay on occasion in '21. Would think McDonald knocking on the door. Where has Mataele come from?
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Good question JT, considering the number of players they have in contention. Both Hodge and the coaches have made it clear that the preference is for Hodge to play 15 this season. I'm sure they'll try to stick to that. Which means if he stays fit, Kellaway will be on the wing. Magnay is out for the whole year, struggling with concussion symptoms. I think this week's selection is a fair reading of who they rank everyone at the moment. Ili gets first shot at 13 because he carries over from last year and had a good follow up season in NZ. Vaihu is more versatile and can cover wing. Vudogu seems like more of a rough diamond and perhaps more risk at this stage. I know that Nu'u is highly thought of, very physical, and he will get opportunities, and it's also time for Tonumaipea to show what he can do. Which means that Skelton is in a bit of no man's land at the moment, waiting on injuries. If Toomua were to be injured, then I guess Ili would shift to 12, and open up a slot at centre. Ripley is highly thought of. I'd say he'll be a bit like what Carter Gordon was last year. They'll look to keep developing him and, if he shows that he's ready, try to ease him in later on. But in reality, his best days will come next year and beyond. There are some really promising young guys across the squad. I'm not usually one for pumping guys too soon but Daniel Maiava at lock looks an outstanding prospect for an 18 year old. He had no problems mixing it with the Fijians last week.
Juan_Time
Roar Rookie
Would struggle even at full strength v Reds in Brissie. Get Kellaway, Leota and Hardwick back next week and would expect they're reasonable chances against Force in Melb, then Drua in Sydney.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Jees...that bad hey? Did you get your boots out of the shed?
Juan_Time
Roar Rookie
Hi Geoff, what's your depth chart for Rebels #13 options eg Ili, Vaihu, Nu'u, Tonumamaipea, Jeral Skelton, Lukas Ripley? What has happened to Campbell Magnay, what do you know about youngster Ripley? I suspect when Kellaway back, Hodge may push up to 13 initially.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
The prolonged absence of Hosea and possibly of Fa'amausili will hurt the Rebels, I can see them getting off to a slow start this season.