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)
Friday
Moana Pasifika vs Reds, 2.05pm
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
Brumbies vs Fijian Drua, 7.35pm
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.
Saturday
Hurricanes vs Chiefs, 12.35pm
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.
Waratahs vs Force, 7.35pm
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
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
It is not logical I agree but the culprit is not the Force coach or players. Our player group earn the least of all the Australian franchises as we don’t get many Wallaby top-ups. The least RA can do is to include Wallaby top ups in the salary cap to level the playing field. It is illogical to think that you can get better performance week after week from players that are paid significantly less. The Force via Twiggy is investing in our academy and local competitions in the hope that more local players will develop and become Wallabies. Until that happens we need to recruit inexpensive international players to cover gaps in the playing roster. Once we select the playing group there is no room for sentimental selections, it is competitive sport.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
Yeah because they might develop into great players. The Brumbies pride themselves on developing discarded players. Blake Schoupp wasn't wanted. Also you're losing anyway.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
You are coming second last. You are getting flogged. It is not like you are recruiting elite players from overseas. You are getting players who couldn't get a contract in their home country AND you won't develop any Wallabies picking them. It isn't logical. Seems really ignorant.
piru
Roar Rookie
So we should just accept we're going to lose and dedicate our season to giving players the eastern teams don't want game time instead?
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Do you propose to pick 23 Australians and gets flogged week after week? As Eddie said, not all matches are equal as you need tight contested games to develop talent. The Force squad and academy gives preference to home grown talent and supplemented this squad with internationals if local talent is not good enough or available. However when you pick the elite side you pick the best as you must reward performance and encourage competition. When you perform well you can use games against lesser sides to develop talent - the Force doesn’t have that luxury. To win this competition you need at least 10 good and healthy Wallabies, the Force have none. This can be resolved if RA relax the salary cap that will allow the Force to secure players like the Arnold brothers, etc that will fast track development of the next generation of players. Remember the squad have far more “game time” playing against each other than against other teams.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
But Bliksem if the Force continue to stack their team with overseas players on one year contracts they will never ever get good enough to introduce the new players? The academy players will be on the bench for 10 years waiting for the foreigners to get them enough wins. Alternatively the Waratahs didn't win a game in 2021 but blooded a heap of players who are now Wallabies.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
The Force gives priority to academy players and several graduated to the Force squad this year. Competition is what encourages players to put extra effort in, to develop and to work on their weaknesses. New players should start from the bench and gradually introduced to Superugby in a team that wins regularly. At the moment the Force is not winning and our best Force players are not eligible for Wallaby selection. The only Force player that I rate as world class is Rodda and he is injured. The Force need another 5-10 at that level and should be allowed to spend more to attract that level of talent as we do not have the 6-13 players that other franchises go have that qualifies for top ups. Then young Australian talent will also sign up as they know they will join a competitive team with experience and talent around them to learn from. It is extremely difficult to get noticed in a team that looses, to develop talent when you get flogged and to attract talent when you don’t have experienced internationals in your side. At the moment the Force is competitive, but only just… there are no easy games to give local talent a chance, they need to earn it.
Farthing
Roar Rookie
Signing a bunch of overseas players for one season rather than spending a few years giving experience to your own long term players is 100% taking a shortcut. Also the Rebels seem to have managed to get in the market for good young players. Glenn Vaihu and Lucas Ripley can't even get a start at the moment and both were schoolboy stars. Carter Gordon was got out just of school, and his brother. You might not get Max Jorgenson and Suaalii but they are rare. Waratahs and Reds still sign plenty of guys who are not getting topped up. I sympathise with their situation and absolutely understand they need to rebuild. But this is not rebuilding. Its denying Australian players who might want a career at the Force an opportunity so some mercenaries can get one season of footy and leave. Why are the Force not stacking their squad with guys like that?
Farthing
Roar Rookie
How is picking guys who will go overseas building anything? If they picked young Aussie blokes they would have a poor season. Probably come 12th or something. But those guys might have ten more season in them and they would get better. Currently they are picking guys who will leave after this season. They will still probably come 12th or something.
piru
Roar Rookie
I know mate, you know what I mean
Greysy
Roar Rookie
I don't wish injury on anyone. Hope he does well though.
piru
Roar Rookie
Looks like you'll get your wish today, Simpson out injured, Fines starting
ScottD
Roar Guru
Maybe true mate, but listening to the national coach is something all the SR coaches should be doing, Larkham included. Whether Larkham (or we) agree or not, the senior coach of Australia is EJ and if he is seeing a deficiency I would have thought the responsible thing to do would be to go away and consider whether he may be right before you gob off to the newspaper? As far as Noah or any other player is concerned, "ignore the most senior coach in the land at your peril" is probably a good motto.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
They are competitive in every game except the Melbourne home game against the Reds. After such a loss the coach picked more foreigners for the NZ tour. I don’t want to see scores blow out like that…it is not good for player development either. It is better to develop players while winning.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
What is the point of playing……is leaving at the end of the season. Fines has a terrific running game but his kicking and passing game needs to improve if he wants to become a certain pick. Prior and Fines both started earlier in the season. Strachan took his opportunity and will start, however he still have worked to do on his defence and goal kicking. Competition for starting spots is healthy. Yes we need to look at the future but also need to stay competitive within the current competition. If we get flogged week after week not much development happens anyway. With only two close wins staying competitive is now more important. All Fines need to do is get within an inch of Simpson and he will be picked. At the moment Simpson is just much better. In competitive sports you need to earn your selection.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, but you are ignoring the fact that they dropped him and he was thinking about going overseas. So the Force picking him up kept him in Australia which is what this post is about isn't it?
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
It seems to get ridiculous amounts of chances as a rugby player you need to be a NRL player first!
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
It astounds me the amount of injuries...and in preseason
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
He's scored a try against MP: automatic starter in gold now!
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well if we win this game we are back in 8th