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.
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.”
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
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
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
He's really been ordinary this season hasn't he? I had him bracketed with Charlie Gamble at the Waratahs as two absolute standouts last year, but this year Jahrome has looked slow, he's had no real impact with his carries, and he's giving away penalties at the breakdown. He also looks bigger. I'm wondering whether fitness is an issue, or he's carrying an injury. Nobody seems to have said anything about his omission from the squad this week... what is going on??
MalBreakaway
Roar Rookie
Now Brumbies meet Nic Berry in the semifinals with Chiefs being appointed the other team. YES Nic Berry is haunting the Brumbies! How does he get selected all the time ? A few years ago Brumbies played Reds twice and in both games Nic Berry umpired and Brumbies lost by a few points. Reds met Brumbies in quarterfinal with Nic Berry and Brumbies lost by a few points. Brumbies went on to play Reds in final with a controversial finishing 4 min overtime seeing Brumbies lose by a few points. This year Brumbies met Chiefs once with Nic Berry and were beaten comfortably by incredible Chiefs defence ( never seen to be offside ). Brumbies just suffered Nic Berry against the Hurricanes in the quarterfinals. Now Brumbies meet Nic Berry in the semifinals with Chiefs being appointed the other team. Scary…
Chivas
Roar Rookie
I think you guys are cooked Tim. Too many key injuries in the forwards… still a strong forward pack with players like Srrange and Lio wille standing up.. but Blackadder and Whitelock still leave a bit of a hole.. the frustrating thing with Blackadder is whether he now misses out on the international season… but then another part wonders whether he is still developing physically and shoukdn’t be pushed.. but then he plays a very physical game in a physical position… the ABs need him, but need him for the longterm.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I thought so Canberrafella, obviously you're a bookie. All the best for tonight, I think you're side may need it (adjudication notwithstanding).
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I’ve thought Brown has been a bit meh this season. He had a stormer 2-3 years ago but hasn’t really had any impact that I’ve noted this year.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
As long as Lolesio isn’t put on in the final minute with a penalty to kick… give him some time to work into the game.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
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Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Good comment CF
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Hooper selection has Eddie all over it...Four locks in backrow dominant pack lineout.Power game!!
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Wow Berry again. We may actually have a chance….
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well obviously with you not being human, we understand!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously Fox your opinion differs from mine, as IMO Reiko is not a centres rear end, & that’s not because he, the dog, pinched my dogs bone! He never has been, as he’s a winger & with ALB now back, there are far better players now playing in that position, along with ALB. Pity you can’t see or have noted his many flaws in his game, in many cases are continuous
WEST
Roar Guru
Good to see Tupou Vaai back, the Chiefs need him at lineout time.. also can bring a bit more physicality at the rucks. Glad to see Nankivell return at the right time too! That will be a huge boost to the Chiefs midfield, ALB needs all the help he can get.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha fair enough. Seems like a decent bloke
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Why? I think its better just to leave it to the conspirary theorists to come up with their own ideas about how the kiwis are cheating the Australian sides and how the Aussies are victims. I mean its better than them having to face facts...
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
They should be comfortable favourites after their season and the job they did on the Brums during the year. We can still hope though
Chivas
Roar Rookie
To be honest, it should be a really good game. I am hoping the Chiefs bounce back from last week and the home ground advantage gets them over the line.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Sorry Ken. I didn't know I was going to spark this kind of thing. I gave Muzzo more credit for being able to respond like a human being.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Anyone have any idea re: what's happened to Brown this weekend?? Dropped or injured??
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I've even come to begrudgingly like Justin Marshall, Ken. Madness, right?? And Andrew Mehrtens is actually an awesome bloke, modest and insightful. Bloody hell, how can this be??