- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Four of the Australian teams are in action across the four Super Rugby Pacific matches this weekend with the ACT Brumbies looking to continue their strong start to the season and Brad Thorn’s Queensland facing a hostile visit to Samoa.
The Waratahs return after their week off to host the Force.
Follow all the team news as it happens below.
(all times AEST)
Head coach Brad Thorn has made seven changes to his starting side, with Samoa’s Apia Park set to host Moana Pasifika for the first time.
Jake Upfield will make his Queensland and Super Rugby Pacific starting debut at blindside flanker, with skipper Liam Wright ruled out with a hand injury in training. James O’Connor will run on at inside centre in place of Isaac Henry who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Suliasi Vunivalu returns to the starting side on the wing, as do props Sef Fa’agase and Zane Nonggorr, with Jordan Petaia celebrating his 50th Queensland and Super Rugby cap.
Connor Vest and Ryan Smith make for a new-look lock combination as the Reds look to break a three-game losing streak on Friday afternoon.
Matt Faessler will start at hooker alongside Fa’agase and Nonggorr, with Fa’agase making his return from suspension.
Angus Blyth’s three-game ban and a concussion to Seru Uru provides Vest and Smith the chance to start, while Gold Coast product Upfield will combine with Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight in the backrow.
Lawson Creighton combines with skipper Tate McDermott in the halves, with Josh Flook set to partner O’Connor in the centres.
Vunivalu returns on the wing in place of Filipo Daugunu, with Jock Campbell and Petaia starting at fullback and wing respectively.
After recovering from concussion, Tom Lynagh returns on the bench with lock Lopeti Faifua and outside back Mac Grealy also recalled.
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Potu Leavasa, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi.
Queensland Reds: (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Peni Ravai, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Lopeti Faifua, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy.
Liam Wright has been ruled out of the Reds’ crunch match against Moana Pasifika in Samoa. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Stephen Larkham has named Darcy Swain in the starting side for the first time this season alongside a rookie Super Rugby lock.
Swain will partner Warringah Rats lock Sam Thomson in the second row. The 29-year-old from Scotland was an unused substitute against the Waratahs in round six.
Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa will captain the side for the 42nd time against the Drua, forming an all-international front row with James Slipper and Lachlan Lonergan.
Rob Valetini, Rory Scott and Pete Samu form a familiar looking backrow, the trio having started five games together this season so far.
Ryan Lonergan rotates into the starting nine jersey to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves for the first time this year, with Ollie Sapsford coming into the midfield in-place of Tamati Tua to combine with Len Ikitau.
Ben O’Donnell comes onto the left wing with Corey Toole ruled out, alongside Andy Muirhead on the right flank and Tom Wright at fullback.
Billy Pollard will look to build on his cameo against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium last time out with Blake Schoupp and Rhys Van Nek providing plenty of go-forward as the finishing props.
Nick Frost will cover the second row with Luke Reimer coming on at flanker.
Nic White and Jack Debreczeni are the finishing halves pairing with Wests fullback Declan Meredith looking to make his first appearance at GIO Stadium as the spark in the backline.
“It’s critical we finish this block of the season well and we’re aware the Drua pose a unique threat in this competition so we’ve gone with as strong a lineup as we could put out for Friday night,” said Larkham.
“Our locks have put in some really big minutes over the first seven rounds so we had to freshen them up but we won’t lose anything with Darcy coming and we’ve got full confidence in Sam to execute his role for us.”
The Drua have selected Flying Fijians prop Haereiti Hetet to the matchday squad for the first time this season, following a successful rehabilitation from injury.
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Sam Thomson, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Ben O’Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Jack Debreczeni, Declan Meredith.
Drua (1-15): Livai Natave, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Eroni Sau, Kitione Taliga.
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua, Leone Rotuisolia, Rusiate Nasove, Philip Baselala, Michael Naitokani, Ilaisa Droasese.
The Hurricanes have named one-Test All Blacks midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen to partner Jordie Barrett in the midfield for their highly anticipated, top of the table clash with the Chiefs in Wellington.
While Aidan Morgan will start at fly-half, with Brett Cameron sidelined with injury.
Up front, Asafo Aumua starts at prop with Dane Coles to come off the bench.
The Chiefs meanwhile have named one of their strongest sides this year, with Pita Gus Sowakula returning to the backrow alongside Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson.
Damian McKenzie will wear the No.10 jersey, with Shaun Steven named at fullback.
Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Dominic Bird, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Cameron Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, TK Howden, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey.
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-capt), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-capt), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Peniasi Malimali.
The Waratahs have welcomed back Lachie Swinton for their clash against the Force, with the hard-hitting flanker back in the starting side.
The Wallabies blindside will start alongside Michael Hooper and Taleni Seu in a new-look back-row, which sees Will Harris return to the bench.
Tom Lambert also returns to the starting side at loose-head prop, with Te Tera Faulkner dropping to the bench.
It’s an unchanged backline.
Lachlan Swinton will return to the starting side to take on the Force. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
Force coach Simon Cron meanwhile has made a number of key changes, naming utility back Jake Strachan at fly-half while bringing in Jackson Pugh at lock.
“One of the things Jackson gives us is a high work rate. We’ve always had him covering the second row during training. So we feel now is the right time to unleash him at lock,” Cron said.
New Zealand-born back-rower Jacob Norris also comes in for his first start, with the 23-year-old named at No.8 after joining the squad in early March as injury cover.
“Norris came in on an ICC cover for [Michael] Wells,” Cron said.
“He’s been with us now for four or five weeks, training throughout the New Zealand tour. He gets his shot this game with Rahboni out through injury.”
Lingering just outside the top eight, both sides are desperate to win to keep their finals hopes firmly alive.
“Every game is an opportunity to win, so for me, this match is about learning from the key moments built on tour and using them as a positive endorsement,” Cron said.
“Playing the Waratahs is always a great Australian battle; there’s always going to be some fireworks. There’s a lot of boys there that I have coached before who are good people so I’m looking forward to seeing them and going at them.
“None of us are happy with ‘close enough good enough’. So now it’s just about developing that killer instinct.”
Meanwhile, referee Angus Gardner will become the first Australian to officiate 100 Super Rugby games when he takes charge of the clash.
A formal presentation following full-time at Allianz Stadium will see Gardner presented the match ball in recognition of the historic milestone.
The 38-year-old made his Super Rugby debut as the Queensland Reds hosted the Melbourne Rebels on 10 March 2012.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to be living my dream and truly grateful for every experience that I’ve had in Rugby so far,” Gardner said.
Waratahs (1-15): Tom Lambert, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper, Taleni Seu, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Mahe Valianu, Te Tera Faulkner, Daniela Botha, Zac Von Appen, Will Harris, Joe Walton, Harry Wilson
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Jacob Norris, Gareth Simpson, Jake Strachan, Zach Kibirge, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Felix Kalapu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, George Pooleman
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.