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It’s do-or-die time, with the Super Rugby quarter-finals upon us.
Read all the team news below.
Blues vs Waratahs at Eden Park: Friday, 5:35pm AEST
Tahs coach Darren Coleman has made some late changes for the game against the Blues.
Ben Donaldson was named at No.10 midweek but switched to fullback with Tane Edmed at flyhalf.
Mark Nawaqanitawase goes to the wing whilst Izaia Perese partners Joey Walton in the centres as Lalakai Foketi moves to the bench.
In the forwards, Nephi Leatigaga starts at tight-head prop, with Tolu Latu, Dan Botha and Hugh Sinclair coming onto the bench.
Darren Coleman has lost his captain and halfback Jake Gordon to injury. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Blues have welcomed back Beauden Barrett in the No.10 jersey after missing the past couple of weeks because of a foot injury.
Tom Robinson returns to partner James Tucker in the second-row after Patrick Tuipulotu was ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season with a broken arm.
While Akira Ioane starts at blindside flanker in a formidable back-row which includes Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu.
Caleb Clark misses the match following his early withdrawal last week and has been replaced by AJ Lam.
Dalton Papalii and Beauden Barrett will line up against the Waratahs on Friday. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
It’s not just form that the Waratahs must overcome, with history stacked against Coleman’s side.
Just once since Super Rugby began have the Waratahs won at Eden Park. That victory came in 2009, with current Blues assistant Daniel Halangahu scoring 18 points in their upset win. You have to go way back to 1928 for their previous win.
Blues (1-15): Ofa Tuungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta
Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Nephi Leatigaga, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper (c), Langi Gleeson, Harrison Goddard, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Tom Lambert, Dan Botha, Taleni Seu, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Lalakai Foketi
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Chiefs vs Reds at FMG Stadium: Saturday, 2:35pm AEST
Brad Thorn has made three changes to his starting for Saturday afternoon’s clash in Hamilton against the Chiefs.
Tom Lynagh, 20, returns at fly-half, with James O’Connor shifting to inside centre after Hunter Paisami’s withdrawal. O’Connor will partner Filpo Daugunu, who started at outside centre in the Reds’ big upset win over the Chiefs last month, in the midfield.
The tweaked midfield pairing has seen Josh Flook shift to the left-wing.
“We come into the quarter-final with a great challenge in front us. Finals footy is a step up in intensity, physicality and pressure,” Thorn said.
“The Chiefs finished as minor premiers and are deserved favourites in Hamilton this Saturday.
“They’ve got threats across the park and we will need to be at our best to challenge them this weekend.”
Tom Lynagh will wear the No.10 jersey against the Chiefs. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
As expected, the Chiefs have made sweeping changes after resting the bulk of their squad for their last round of the regular season against the Chiefs.
All Blacks stars Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie have all returned.
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan, Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (co-c),Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniela Rona
Reds (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, James O’Connor, Filpo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Lopeti Faifua, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan
Referee: Angus Gardner
Crusaders vs Drua at Orangetheory Stadium: Saturday, 5:05pm AEST
The Crusaders have lost Sam Whitelock due to an ongoing Achilles niggle, but have welcomed back star forwards Oli Jager and Ethan Blackadder.
Whitelock came off at half-time against the Hurricanes, but the returns of Jager and Blackadder boost Scott Robertson’s hopes of signing off on a winning note from the Crusaders.
All Blacks star Sam Whitelock will miss the Crusaders’ quarter-final against the Fiji Drua. (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
Robertson has tweaked his backline, with All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue starting at inside centre.
Drua head coach Mick Byrne has named a settled side from the one that beat the Reds in Fiji last week, with only minor changes to his backline.
Teti Tela will start at inside centre with Byrne opting for two playmakers, with Caleb Muntz to start at fly-half.
Crusaders: (1-15) Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Oli Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Sione Havili-Talitui, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, WIll Jordan
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O’Neill, Zach Gallagher, Ethan Blackadder, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.
Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Motikiai Murray, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Teti Tela, Iosefi Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Samuela Tawake, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Michael Naitokani, Eroni Sau
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Brumbies vs Hurricanes at GIO Stadium: Saturday, 7:35pm AEST
Days after Hurricanes coach Jason Holland showered Corey Toole in praise, the Brumbies have lost the tryscoring winger to injury.
Stephen Larkham had tries to downplay the severity of his injury on Monday, but the left-winger has been forced out.
It’s a blow to the Brumbies’ chances of progressing into the final four, with the former sevens star showing a fine ability to make something out of nothing.
It’s not all bad news for the Brumbies though, with James Slipper returning at loose-head prop. He’s been joined in the starting side by Lachie Lonergan, with Sefo Kautai completing the front-row.
Corey Toole will miss the Brumbies’ quarter-final against the Hurricanes in Canberra. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Interestingly, Larkham has stuck with Jack Debreczeni at fly-half, with Test playmaker Noah Lolesio left on the bench after missing last week’s win over the Rebels with concussion.
“This is the time of year everyone plays for and we’re in a good place heading into a massive challenge against the Hurricanes,” Larkham said.
“It’s disappointing for Tooley to miss out, but he was just not right to go and Ollie has played a lot of rugby on the wing for Hawke’s Bay so we know he’ll do a job for us.
“We love playing at home, and we know we’ll have the crowd behind us so we’ll be ready to go at 7:35pm Saturday night.”
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have named a settled side with powerful loose-head prop Xavier Numia returning to partner Dane Coles and Canberra-born All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax up front.
“We’re excited to be into the business end of the season,” Holland said.
“Bringing momentum into the Quarter-finals was really important for us and getting our performance to where we wanted it last week was key. Heading to Canberra, our focus is to continue to build on some of the parts of our game that went really well for us against the Crusaders.”
Brumbies: James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White (c), Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Vank Nek, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Jesse Mogg
Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Ardie Savea (c), Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Daniel Sinkinson, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan
Referee: Nic Berry
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.