COMPLETE SRP teams Round 7: Kellaway into centres for Rebels, Suli dropped by Thorn, Brumbies add firepower

There are only four games this weekend for the start of round seven but they’re headlined by a clash between the Reds and Brumbies on Friday night in Brisbane.

The Crusaders and Moana Pasifika kick off the round on Friday afternoon while the Highlanders vs. Hurricanes and Rebels vs. Blues wraps up the round on Saturday.

(All times are AEST)

Friday

Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm

The Crusaders welcome back All Blacks centres All Blacks midfielders Jack Goodhue and David Havili as they get some relief from their crip[pling injury toll.

Lock Quinten Strange, prop Finlay Brewis and outside backs Macca Springer and Melani Nanai also return to the 23 to face the cellar dwellars.

Goodhue has overcome his groin strain from round two to play at No.12, alongside Richie Moúnga in his 100th Super Rugby match.

Nanai, a former Blues player, is set for his Crusaders debut.

The Crusaders injury list is now at 11, down from 17.

Sam Whitelock (hand), fullback Will Jordan (concussion related illness), lock Zach Gallagher (hamstring), Oli Jager (neck), Cullen Grace (shoulder) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) are expected back soon after next week’s bye round.

Crusaders (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Quinten Strange, Dom Gardiner, Sione Havili-Talitui, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Macca Springer, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Gualter, Fergus Burke.

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Willi Heinz, David Havili, Melani Nanai.

Moana Pasifika (1-15): Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Samiuela Moli, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Michael Curry, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.

Replacements:  Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Mike McKee, Jonah Mau’u Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi.

Referee: James Doleman

Reds vs. Brumbies, 7.35pm

He might have returned to the Wallabies’ wider squad, but Brad Thorn has axed dual international Suliasi Vunivalu from the Queensland Reds’ side to take on the Brumbies on Good Friday in Brisbane.

The 27-year-old, whose early season struggles continued against the Crusaders last Friday, has been left out of the Reds’ side with another Wallaby, Filipo Daugunu, returning to the side.

Thorn’s selection confirms The Roar’s report on Monday that Vunivalu was set to be dropped from the Reds’ side just 24 hours after being selected by Eddie Jones for his Wallabies’ training camp in April.

Suliasi Vunivalu has been dropped by the Reds to take on the Brumbies in their crunch Super Rugby match. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

James O’Connor has also been dropped to the bench, with Lawson Creighton given an opportunity at fly-half.

There are two other changes to Thorn’s side, with 22-year-old prop Phransis Sula-Siaosi starting for the first time alongside Peni Ravai and Matt Faessler in the front-row. Zane Nonggorr will come off the bench.  

Lock Angus Blyth meanwhile returns to the starting side after making his comeback from injury against the Crusaders and forms a second-row combination alongside Seru Uru. The second-row pair re-signed with the Reds on Wednesday through until 2025.

Blyth’s return sees Ryan Smith drop to the bench.

The matchup against the Brumbies is a big one for a few reasons.

Not only is Thorn’s side hanging on in the top eight in eighth position. They also face the more difficult task of having to prepare to face Moana Pasifika at Apia Park for the first time a week later.

Reds coach Brad Thorn has swung the axe ahead of their clash against the Brumbies. Photo Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But it also comes just days after only four Reds were selected in Jones’ squad, with Harry Wilson and Tate McDermott amongst the big omissions.

“We face the Brumbies for the second time this season and they’ve proven to be one of the form teams in the competition,” Thorn said.

“We get another chance to play in front of our home crowd. We’re looking forward to seeing them there on Friday night for what should be a good contest.

“Phransis has made good contributions coming from the bench and he’s earned an opportunity to have his first start. He’s another guy who has made his way to the Reds through club rugby which is great to see and he’s impressed us with his work around the park.”

Rising Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard has been named for his first match of the year. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Stephen Larkham has named his strongest side of the year, naming an unchanged XV.

But it’s via the bench that Larkham has some added punch to finish the game.

One-cap Wallaby hooker Billy Pollard returns for the first time this year after a couple of injuries, while alongside Test lock Darcy Swain returns after missing the past few weeks.

The Brumbies have typically struggled in Brisbane and survived a late rally against the Reds in Canberra earlier this year, but Larkham isn’t taking his Australian rivals for granted in what shapes as ultra competitive top five in this year’s Super Rugby competition.

The match also sees Cadeyrn Neville bring up his 50th match for the Brumbies, with the veteran Wallaby previously playing for the Reds and Rebels in what has been a remarkable journey.

“We’re pleased to be in a position to pick a settled team this week and to be able to bring Billy and Darcy back onto the bench,” Larkham said.
 
“It’s always a special game for us against the Reds up in Brisbane, we’ve got Nev’s 100th as well so there’s a buzz in the group and we’re looking forward to the challenge against a really good side.”

Reds (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry
Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell.

Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Taj Annan.

Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville,  Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
 
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell

Referee:  Ben O’Keeffe.

Saturday

Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 5.05pm

Captain Ardie Savea returns from All Blacks rest week duties in a much changed Hurricanes team. Only seven players are retained in the starting 15 from the win over Western Force.

Xavier Numia returns to the front row alongside All Blacks Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax, and Isaia Walker-Leawere partners James Blackwell at lock.

Brett Cameron suffered a serious knee injury against the Force and has been replaced by Aidan Morgan.

Folau Fakatava will start at No 9 for the Highlanders with Aaron Smith sidelined for personal reasons.

Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell and Andrew Makalio return to the starting forward pack and Hugh Renton is retained at No 8.

Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Foalu Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Feluli Paea, Mosese Dawai, Sam Gilbert.

Replacements: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Scott Gregory, Marino Mikaele Tu’u

Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Cameron Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Owen Franks, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey, Peter Umaga-Jensen.

Referee: Damon Murphy.

Rebels vs Blues, 7.35pm

Wallabies’ utility Andrew Kellaway retrns to the Rebels starting side at outside centre, alongside Test teammate Reece Hodge.

Kellaway returned to action after injury last week with a commanding performance in Fiji last week as the Rebels just failed to run down a big first half deficit.

Prop Pone Fa’amausili joins Cabous Eloff in returning to the front row, while Trevor Hosea will pair with Harlequin teammate, Josh Canham in the second row. 

Nick Jooste and Lukas Ripley have been recalled for the Round 7 clash, named on the bench alongside James Tuttle, Tuiana Taii Tualima, Angelo Smith, Sam Talakai, Matt Gibbon and Jordan Uelese.  

Saturday’s match will be a special one for Jordan Uelese, who was named in Eddie Jones first squad of the year last Sunday.

Uelese, 26, will become the first homegrown Victorian to make 50 Super Rugby appearances for the Rebels after making his debut in 2017 against the Blues.  

“As a kid, I always dreamt of playing for the Rebels, so to be able to play 50 matches for my hometown team and wear that jersey, it’s been a huge honour and I’m keen to keep putting my hand up to go to battle for this Club,” Uelese said.

The Blues – who have a 3-3 record to the Rebels’ 2-4 – have rested All Blacks Hoskins Sotutu and Stephen Perofeta after they had played all six matches so far. Winger Mark Telea returns after being rotated out while Patrick Tuipulotu is back in the starting side.

Rebels (1-15): Cabous Eloff, Alex Mafi, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Lachie Anderson, Joe Pincus.

Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Lukas Ripley.

Blues (1-15): Jordan Lay, Ricky Riccitelli, Nepo Laulala, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan.

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Lay, Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Caleb Tangitau.

Referee: Reuben Keane.