Super Rugby Pacific Teams: All the team news for Round Three

[The InnFORCEr]

Wed, 02/03/2022, 02:56 pm
Nathan Williamson


There are some big changes as the Super Rugby Pacific clubs confirm their sides for round three.

The historic round will see Moana Pasifika play their first game of Super Rugby against the Crusaders.



Friday 4 March 5:05 pm AEDT – Moana Pasifika v Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

MOANA PASIFIKA (1-15): Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Luteru Tolai, Sekope Kepu (c), Mike McKee, Sam Slade, Solomone Funaki, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga'anuku, Will Havili

RESERVES: Samieula Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Joe Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali'ifano, Fine Inisi

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange (c), Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickley, Kini Naholo, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga'anuku, George Bridge, Chay Fihaki

RESERVES: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo'unga, Isaiah Punivai

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Chris Hart


Friday 4 March 7:45 pm AEDT – Fijian Drua v Melbourne Rebels at Sunshine Coast Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport


DRUA (1-15): Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Baden Kerr

RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Rusiate Nasove, Joshua Vuta, Teti Tela, Jona Mataiciwa

REBELS (1-15): Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Josh Canham, Michael Wells (c), Brad Wilkin, Tamati Ioane, Joe Powell, Matt To'omua, Glen Vaihu, Ray Nu'u, Lukas Ripley, Young Tonumaipea, Carter Gordon

RESERVES: Efi Ma'afu, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Hill, Sam Wallis, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Ilikena Vudogo

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, James Palmer



Friday 4 March 10:00 pm AEDT – Western Force v Queensland Reds at HBF Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Ollie Callan, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan

RESERVES: Jack Winchester, Harry Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Kane Koteka, Ian Prior, Jake McIntrye, Grason Makara

REDS (1-15): Dane Zander, Josh Nasser, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (c), Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell

RESERVES: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuiana Tualima, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy

Referee: Graham Cooper

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jordan Kaminski



Saturday 5 March 2:35 pm AEDT – Blues v Chiefs at Eden Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

BLUES (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett/Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Mafileo, Josh Lord, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Cane (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber (co-c), Josh Ioane, Etene Nani-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia

RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta'avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Anton Lienert-Brown

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter


Saturday 5 March 5:05 pm AEDT – Hurricanes v Highlanders at Sky Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Reed Prinsep, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Salesi Rayasi, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett

RESERVES: Siua Maile, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Peter Umaga-Jensen

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Liam Coltman, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryn Evans, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop

RESERVES: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Aaron Smith, Marty Banks, Scott Gregory

Referee: Brandon Pickerill

Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser, Jono Bredin




Saturday 5 March 7:45 pm AEDT – Brumbies v Waratahs at GIO Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and Channel Nine


BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks

RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Turner, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Newsome

RESERVES: Tom Horton, Tetetra Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harrison, Tevita Funa

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Matt Kellahan

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/super-...o-watch-202232

[Sheikh]

Interesting, Callan gets a start ahead of Koteka and Fines-Leleiwasa ahead of Prior. Must be planned for player load management as neither Prior nor Koteka have done anything to be dropped, and they're still both on the bench.

Winchester as the reserve hooker ahead of Ready, though. Ready's throwing last week was awful (general play was OK) so I wonder if this was a planned swap, also.

And I hope Coops doesn't over-compensate again, to demonstrate that he's not a home-side ref, and blow us off the park.

[GIGS20]

Interesting, Callan gets a start ahead of Koteka and Fines-Leleiwasa ahead of Prior. Must be planned for player load management as neither Prior nor Koteka have done anything to be dropped, and they're still both on the bench.

You'd think if there wasn't a genuine feeling that those swaps made a better team that the Rebels game would have been the time to do it, not playing the champs.

I'd suggest it might be a horses for courses selection designed to run the Reds fatties off their feet then bring the orgnisation and power in to exploit that.

Winchester as the reserve hooker ahead of Ready, though. Ready's throwing last week was awful (general play was OK) so I wonder if this was a planned swap, also.

Handled in another thread, doesn't seem planned.

[Chopper1]

I tipped the Rabble but I'm on the edge of my seat cheering the Drua on right now...22-14 with 23 mins to go.

[jargan83]

I tipped the Rabble but I'm on the edge of my seat cheering the Drua on right now...22-14 with 23 mins to go.

I also tipped the Rabble but love seeing them lose.

[Chopper1]

I also tipped the Rabble but love seeing them lose.

I'm with you there Jargs.

[shasta]

The man in the Igloo just messaged he tipped Drua. Could be in the lead after missing a week & a half.

[SNOB]

Dura won my stake plus for the Force bet which I was silly enough to think we would beat the Reds.

[DazloT]

The man in the Igloo just messaged he tipped Drua. Could be in the lead after missing a week & a half.

I studied the signs in the snow hard this week and they were screaming out the Drua for the win. 😂 Now if only the Force would listen and follow the plan.

[shasta]

I studied the signs in the snow hard this week and they were screaming out the Drua for the win. �� Now if only the Force would listen and follow the plan.

Testing times ahead without those lucky away wins to boost your score.

Were those signs carved in yellow snow? At around minus 15 you might freeze off something important conjuring up this weeks signs.