Super Rugby Pacific 2023 Teams: All the team news for Round 1

[The InnFORCEr]

Thu, Feb 23, 2023, 8:57 AM
Nathan Williamson


The 2023 Super Rugby season is finally here as the teams roll in for round one.

The season will open with the Crusaders facing the Chiefs in Christchurch as they begin their title defence.

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This will be followed by the NSW Waratahs returning to Allianz Stadium to face the ACT Brumbies in Stephen Larkham's first game back in charge.

Check out all the details for the Super Rugby Pacific teams for round 1 as they drop

NOTE: ALL TEAMS WILL BE CONFIRMED AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE RESPECTIVE GAMES.

Friday 24 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Crusaders v Chiefs at OrangeTheory Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Mitchell Dunshea, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, David Havili

RESERVES: Brodie Mcalister, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Macca Springer

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nani-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson

RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Pohipi

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw


Friday 24 February 7:35 pm AEDT – NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson

RESERVES: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo

BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, David Conway


Saturday 25 February 2:35 pm AEDT – Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

PASIFIKA (1-15): Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Samiuela Moli, Sosefo (Joe) ‘Apiktoa, Samuel Slade, Mahonri Ngakuru, Michael Curry, Solomone Funaki, Jonah Mau’u, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano (c), Neria Foma’i, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili

RESERVES: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Mike McKee, Alamanda Motuga, Manu Paea, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi

DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Jone Koroiduadua, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Te Ahiwararu Cirikidaveta, Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Jone Tiko, Samuela Tawake, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referee: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon


Saturday 25 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Highlanders v Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Rhys Marshall, Jermaine Ainsley, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert

RESERVES: Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Will Tucker, Sean Withy, Kemara-Hauiti Parapara, Freddie Burns, Connor Garden-Bachop,

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Patrick Tuipulotu, Cameron Suafoa, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee: Dan Waenga, Michael Winter


Saturday 25 February 7:35 pm AEDT – Queensland Reds v Hurricanes at QLD Country Bank Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and Channel Nine

REDS (1-15): TBC

RESERVES: TBC

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea (c), Cameron Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby

RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referee: Matt Kellahan, Amber McLachlan


Saturday 25 February 10:00 pm AEDT – Western Force v Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport FORCE (1-15): TBC

RESERVES: TBC

REBELS (1-15): TBC

RESERVES: TBC

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referee: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/super-...ound-1-2023221

[.X.]

Team lists for Western Force vs Melbourne Rebels

Force: Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga'a, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells (c), Ian Prior, Bryce Hegarty, Zach Kibirige, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia.

Res: Feleti Kaitu'u, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Jackson Pugh, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, Toni Pulu.

Rebels: Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachlan Anderson, Nick Jooste.

Res: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa'amausili, Trevor Hosea, Tamati Ioane, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley.

[chiraag]

That's a solid but uninspiring 9, 10, 12.

[SNOB]

So we aren’t playing?

[jargan83]

Last time I checked (3ish weeks ago) the Force were paying $151

[.X.]

So we aren’t playing?

neither are Samoa or the Rebels

[jargan83]

TAB Touch has us listed at $101 - they're also a sponsor of the Force.

[Leo86]

Any idea on TBC #19 yet?

[GIGS20]

That's a solid but uninspiring 9, 10, 12.

I see that quite differently


Ian Prior at 9, although getting on, has shown to be far more productive than Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, yes this is disappointing and I wish Finesey had met his potential by now, but Prior is a good halfback who involves others and passes fast, wide, flat and accurate. You could make an argument that he's the halfback the Wallabies need and if he was 5 years younger, that might have happened.

Bryce Hegarty at 10 is very interesting, since Hamish Stewart played most of the trial games there and I don't think a single minute at 12, so there's something to that. Not my first choice 10 in the Force, but my first choice is recovering from knee surgery, so a credible replacement with lots of experience.

Hamish Stewart at 12 has been knocking on the door of Wallaby selection in that role for several years now and will be the glue that holds the backline together. He has proven to be a defensive weapon at 12 and can direct the whole team there. He can also slip into the first receiver role easily. So I think he's a good pick.

More importantly think of the options that we have with Bayley on the bench. Subbing Bayley on can cover pretty much the entire backline apart from 9
10 Kuenzle, 12 Stewart Hegarty off
Stewart 10, Kuenzle 12 Hegarty off
the same options with Stewart off
Hegarty could move to 15, where he has plenty of experience and we could play either of the first 2
Kuenzle could play 13 and Spink could rest.

so basically, the whole backline is covered and we have Toni Pulu spare to bring on with 30 to go and run circles around tired legs for a bazillion metres.

This named backline gives me hope that Cron was foxing a little bit in the trials and there's a cunning plan to decimate the Rebels.

[Tazzmania]

I have no problem either with the 9,10 and 12

I suspect that both Pulu and Bayley are on the bench due to niggles but will be more than able finishers.

As Gigs says above, Stewart's strongest position over the past year or two has been 12 and it makes sense to use him in his best position.

Hegarty is more than able and is a better 10 than 12.

We are being told that Prior v2.00 this year is invigorated and showing a new lease of life.

[jargan83]

If only we hadn't let a decent halfback walk to Ireland.

With Priors speed we can all probably go to the bar and not miss much when he gets to a ruck.

[Tazzmania]

If only we hadn't let a decent halfback walk to Ireland.

With Priors speed we can all probably go to the bar and not miss much when he gets to a ruck.

Michael McDonald made the choice to move overseas to give hinmself an opportunity for International rugby, however, he has got very little game time for Ulster with only two appearances off the bench.



This was the second time he left us. The first to the Tahs and now Ulster while Ian has stayed loyal and is apparently thriving under the new coaches.

[Sheikh]

Plus, Fines has the ability to play on the wing when Pulu almost inevitably pulls up injured 10 minutes after coming on; that man has the worst luck with injuries!

[shasta]

That (above) was meant to be a Sheikh. Looks like I cant change it.

7 of the 9 "experts" at the SMH have tipped the boys. First time for everything I suppose but is it the kiss of death??

[GIGS20]

I vastly prefer underrated underdog for the force.

Stan has universally dubbed the rebels will win this game based upon trial match scores and nothing else.

Pretty sure even the scores don't support that with the drua keeping the rebs scoreless but 🤷