Complete SRP semifinal teams: Larkham makes No.10 call, Corey back for Brumbies, Chiefs make four changes

We’re down to the final four in Super Rugby Pacific 2023 with three Kiwi teams and one Australian outfit still in the hunt for silverware.

The teams are in for semifinal one, with the line ups for game two expected around midday Thursday.

Crusaders vs Blues, 5.05pm Friday

All Black winger Caleb Clarke has returned after an ankle injury to get a call up for the Blues against an unchanged Crusaders outfit in the opening semifinal in Christchurch.

“He brings a point of difference around the aerial game, if we contest in the air and from kickoffs,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.

“But it’s also his ability to beat the first defender and he’s pretty lethal close to the line as well, where he’s so powerful. It’s great to have him back.”

Caleb Clarke. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Rieko Ioane plays his 100th game for the club.

The Crusaders are without Sam Whitelock but are hopeful he can return for his final game with the club if they get through the semis.

The Crusaders smashed the Drua in the quarters and while their XV is unchanged there are two changes on the bench with forwards Ethan Blackadder and Zach Gallagher ruled out and replaced by Dominic Gardiner and Corey Kellow.

Limited to five appearances (four starts), Blackadder is out for the rest of the season. He’s one of 12 Crusaders unavailable through injury while three others are tied up with the NZ under 20s.

History is clearly on the Crusaders’ side, however.

The 13-time champion Crusaders have a 28-0 playoff record in Christchurch, have won 17 of the last 18 matchups against the Blues, and 15 of the previous 16 in Christchurch.

Crusaders (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Will Jordan

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O’Neill, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

Blues (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta

Referee: Angus Gardner

Chiefs vs Brumbies, 5.05pm Saturday

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has kept faith in No.10 Jack Debreczeni alongside captain Nic White in the halves for the match against the Chiefs.

“We’ve backed our continuity and combinations this week and we’re going across to New Zealand full of energy and excitement for this challenge,” Larkham said.

Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will play his 50th match for the club off the bench while Len Ikitau and Connal McInerney reach the same milestone.

James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan and Sefo Kautai will form the front row with Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville starting at lock.

Tom Hooper starts at blindside flanker with Pete Samu shifting to openside and Rob Valetini wearing eight.

Tamati Tua starts at 12 after re-signing with the club earlier this week, with Ikitau at 13.

Ollie Sapsford has also committed to the Brumbies for next season and retains his spot on the left wing, with Corey Toole back in the Brumbies gameday squad.

Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright complete the back three with Sapsford.

McInerney, Blake Schoupp and Rhys Van Nek is the finishing front row, with Darcy Swain and Luke Reimer important figures on the bench.

Lolesio will partner Ryan Lonergan as the finishing halves, with Toole wearing jersey 23.

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made four changes to his starting lineup, with All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i (knee) and midfielder Alex Nankivell (shoulder) returning from injuries

Vaa’i’s return sees two-Test lock Josh Lord make way, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi retained in the reserves. Nankivell slots back in at outside centre, with Anton Lienert-Brown shifting to No.12 and Rameka Poihipi pushing Daniel Rona off the bench.

Tighthead prop George Dyer has been promoted to the run-on side, swapping roles with John Ryan, while Luke Jacobson will re-take the No 8 jersey from Pita Gus Sowakula after being a late switch to the bench last weekend due to illness.

Chiefs (1-15):  Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaai, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi

Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Nic White (c), Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements : Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole

Referee: Nic Berry