There are just four sides remaining in the 2019 Super Rugby season as the Brumbies, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Jaguares prepare for their shot at a grand final ticket.
Australia’s final hope for the 2019 title are on a seven-match winning streak but have been forced to make just a change for their semi-final matchup against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires through injury.
Jaguares v Brumbies
After making his return to the starting lineup just last week in their quarter-final clash with the Sharks, bagging two tries in his side’s 38-14 win, Wallaby Pete Samu has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Murray Douglas comes into the squad in place of Samu and will come off the bench, while 29-year-old Lachie McCaffrey has been promoted to the starting line up at number 8 to cover the injury in the pack.
Despite switching between bench and run-on throughout much of the year, Samu, alongside James Slipper, are the only two Brumbies forwards to play every game this season.
Aside from the forced injury change, coach Dan McKellar has remained faithful to his side that ran past the Sharks last week, looking to continue their outstanding form over the past two months with consistency in the lineup.
The semi-final is also a milestone game for departing captain Christian Lealiifano, who will play his 150th game Super Rugby game, becoming just the second Brumby to achieve the feat alongside Ben Alexander.
For the Jaguares, coach Gonzalo Quesada has also made just the one change for his side, swapping out Marcos Kremer onto the bench and moving Tomas Lezana into the starting side at openside flanker.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Kremer has been under a fitness cloud after pulling up sore after the Chiefs win. Despite being declared fit for the clash with the Brumbies, Quesada is looking to play it safe with Lezana and not risk any real damage being done.
Guido Petti has been named in the second row for the home side but is also under the pump with injury, having not yet fully recovered from a sprained ankle against the Chiefs. He is being given right up until game day to hold his spot in the starting 15.
Jaguares
15. Emiliano Boffelli, 14. Sebastian Cancelliere, 13. Matias Orlando, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 11. Matias Moroni, 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Javier Ortega Desio, 7. Tomas Lezana, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Santiago Medrano, 2. Agustin Creevy, 1. Mayco Vivas
Reserves: 16.Julian Montoya, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Marcos Kremer, 20. Francisco Gorrissen, 21. Felipe Ezcurra, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Ramiro Moyano
Brumbies
15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Irae Simone, 11. Toni Pulu, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. Tom Cusack, 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 1. Scott Sio
Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Murray Douglas, 21. Jahrome Brown, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Tom Wright
Kickoff: 9:05am (AEST), Saturday
Venue: Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ)
TV: Live on Fox Sports
Betting: Jaguares $1.44, Brumbies $2.80
(Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Crusaders v Hurricanes
The Crusaders finished top of the table for another year with a dominant season, cruising past the Highlanders last week to slot into yet another semi-final.
Coach Scott Robertson has announced an unchanged lineup for the two-time defending champions, sticking with the same side that produced a dominant 38-14 win in their quarter-final.
Jordan Taufua will come off the bench for his 100th Super Rugby cap at just 27 years of age.
They come up against a Hurricanes side looking to cause an upset after pushing past a resilient Bulls at home in the quarter-finals.
The Hurricanes are also celebrating a milestone with TJ Perenara appearing in his 127th Super Rugby match, making him the most capped Hurricane in the clubs history on his way past the previous mark set by Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Coach John Plumtree has been forced into making a change on the wing for their semi-final clash with the Crusaders, with Wes Goosen being ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during their win over the Bulls.
Salesi Rayasi makes his way into the starting XV in his place after coming off the bench last week and scoring two tries in a standout performance.
Jonah Lowe has been brought into the squad to take Rayasi’s spot on the bench.
Crusaders
15. David Havili, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. George Bridge, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Matt Todd, 6. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5. Sam Whitelock (c), 4. Scott Barrett, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody
Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Jordan Taufua, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Braydon Ennor
Hurricanes
15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Salesi Rayasi, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Ben Lam, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Gareth Evans, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Reed Prinsep, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4. James Blackwell, 3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (c), 1. Toby Smith
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Ben May, 19. Kane Le’aupepe, 20. Vaea Fifita, 21. Richard Judd, 22. James Marshall, 23. Jonah Lowe
Kickoff: 5:35pm (AEST), Saturday
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Nic Berry (Aus)
TV: Live on Fox Sports
Betting:Crusaders $1.18, Hurricanes $4.95
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