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Michael Hooper will make his long awaited return for the New South Wales Waratahs against Fiji on Friday night.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman named two huge additions to his match-day 23, with Wallaby Captain Hooper and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco in line to play his first match of the season.
“Having Hoops back in the team is a massive boost for us,” Coleman said.
“Notwithstanding his playing ability and what he’ll add to the scoreboard but the professionalism and the way he carries himself has a real positive effect on the team.
“To have one of the best players in the world return is really exciting not just for us but for our fans and we can’t wait to see him on the field this weekend wearing the sky-blue.”
Elsewhere, Filipo Daugunu will play his 50th Queensland and Super Rugby game for the Reds replacing the injured Jock Campbell. Seru Uru also misses out through injury with Liam Write to replace him at blindside flanker in one of the matches of the round at Suncorp Stadium against the Brumbies.
“For the first time this year we’ve got back-to-back home games. We’re looking forward to a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium and playing in front of our Queensland fans,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.
“It’s our second game in three weeks against the Brumbies and should be a good contest.
On the other side of the field Rob Valetini also brings up 50 games and he’s one of the youngest to reach the milestone at just 23-years of age.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made four changes to his starting side with fullback Jesse Mogg set to make his first appearance in the Brumbies 15 jersey since 2015 in place of Tom Banks.
The remaining changes come in the front row with James Slipper in at loosehead prop, Folau Fainga’a at hooker and Allan Alaalatoa captaining the team from tighthead.
Friday 5:05pm, Orangetheory Stadium
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Cody Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. David Havili, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Shilo Klein, 17. George Bower, 18. Tamaiti Williams, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Pablo Matera 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Braydon Ennor
Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Andrew Makalio, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Marino Miakele Tu’u, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Mosese Dawai, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Connor Garden Bachop
Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall, 17. Ethan de Groot, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Marty Banks, 23. Denny Solomona.
Friday, 7.45pm, Cbus Super Stadium
Fijian Drua
1.Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, 6. Joseva Tamani, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Teti Tela, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Caleb Muntz, 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 14. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 15. Kitione Ratu
Reserves: 16. Tevita Ikanivere, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Rusiate Nasove, 22. Peni Matawalu, 23 Napolioni Bolaca
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Dave Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Hollaway, 5. Geoff Cridge, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jack Grant, 10. Tane Edmed, 11. Dylan Pietsch, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Izaia Perese, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15. Alex Newsome.
Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Archer Holz, 19. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 20. Michael Hooper, 21. Teddy Wilson, 22. Jamie Roberts, 23. Triston Reilly.
Saturday, 5:05pm, Eden Park
Blues
1. Alex Hodgman, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. James Tucker, 5. Tom Robinson, 6. Cameron Suafoa, 7. Dalton Papalii (c), 8. Anton Segner, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Corey Evans, 13. Bryce Heem, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe/Jordan Lay, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Tanielu Tele’a, 23. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens
Moana Pasifika
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Sekope Kepu (c), 4. Veikoso Poloniati, 5. Michael Curry, 6. Sione Tu’ipulotu, 7. Solomone Funaki, 8. Henry Time-Stowers, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Christian Leali’ifano, 11. Anzelo Tuitavuki, 12. Solomone Kata, 13. Fine Inisi, 14. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15. William Havili
Reserves: 16. Luteru Tolai, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Alex McRobbie, 20. Alamanda Motuga, 21. Dwayne Polataivao, 22. Lincoln McClutchie, 23. Tomasi Alosio
Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium
Queensland Reds
1.Harry Hoopert, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Angus Blyth, 6. Liam Wright (co-c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (co-c), 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Josh Flook, 15. Jordan Petaia
Reserves: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. Feao Fotuaika, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Isaac Henry, 23. Lawson Creighton
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Rod Iona, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Jesse Mogg
Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Sefo Kautai, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Ed Kennedy, 21. Nic White, 22. Hudson Creighton, 23. Cameron Clark
Sunday, 1:35pm at FMG Stadium
Hurricanes
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Ruben Love
Reserves: 16. James O’Reilly, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tebota Mafileo, 19. Caleb Delany, 20. Devan Flanders, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Bailyn Sullivan, 23. Josh Moorby
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6. Kaylum Boshier, 7. Sam Cane (co-c), 8. Pita Gus Sowakula, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Alex Nankivell, 15. Emoni Narawa
Reserves: 16. Tyrone Thompson, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Chase Tiatia
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.