Crucial Super Rugby contests in Round 8
- Dave Worsley
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Round eight of Super Rugby Pacific could prove to be crucial for more than one team as form and consistency goes on the line.
The weekend starts as Shaun Stevenson plays his 100th game for the Chiefs, starting at fullback for Friday night's top-of-the-table clash with the Reds in Hamilton.
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Jahrome Brown and Quinn Tupaea are back in the starting line-up, with Brodie McAlister at hooker ahead All Black Samisoni Taukei'aho.
Chiefs v Reds, Friday 4 April, 7.05pm at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Luke Jacobson (capt), Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling.
Moana Pasifika play the Waratahs with Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa at the back of the scrum and Ardie Savea on the while Kyren Tamoufolau comes back onto the wing..
Moana Pasifika are now 2-4 this season after their biggest win of their existence, over the Crusaders in Christchurch this week.
The battered bodies need to back up for the early afternoon home game against the Waratahs who they have beaten the past two years.
Moana Pasifika v Waratahs, Saturday 5 April, 2.05pm North Harbour Stadium
Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Danny Toala, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ardie Savea (capt), Semisi Paea, Allan Craig, Sam Slade, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Reserves: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fine Inisi.
The Crusaders have made chances after their loss to Moana last week and are away to the Drua in Fiji where they struggle. Sevu Reece starts at centre for the first time as David Havili (Achilles) and Braydon Ennor (hamstring) are out and Levi Aumu is struggling
Scott Barrett is on a rest week, replaced by Tahlor Cahill at lock andQuinten Strange returns from a long injury break to back up on the bench. Noah Hotham keeps his spot as the starting halfback, with Kyle Preston out of the squad.
Fijian Drua v Crusaders, Saturday 5 April, 4.35pm at ANZ Stadium, Suva
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Corey Kellow, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Seb Calder, Codie Taylor (capt), George Bower. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Aumua.
The Blues have named Beauden Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu to start for their game against the Hurricanes, but they still have to pass fit a tthe final training.
There is positivity in the squash as with the return of Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, AJ Lam, Anton Segner and Adrian Choat to add some depth to a side which has lacked direction at times.
For the Hurricanes lock Zach Gallagher is out for at least four weeks with a hamstring injury, and is replaced in the run-on side by Isaia Walker-Leawere.
Counties Manukau veteran Riley Hohepa continues at No 10 after coming in last week for an injured Harry Godfrey, while Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brayden form the loose forward trio.
Blues v Hurricanes, Saturday 5 April, 7.05pm at Eden Park, Auckland
Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Josh Beehre, Patrick Tuioulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Stephen Perofeta.
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Riley Hohepa, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Brayden Iose, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-capt), Xavier Numia. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo.
All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot returns to the Highlanders' starting lineup trying to steem the flow of scrum penalties that have effectively cost them in the last two games.
Back-up prop Josh Bartlett retains his place on the bench, with Daniel Lienert-Brown dropping out of the 23.
Sam Gilbert is at fullback and set to cover first five if needed during the match.
Force v Highlanders, 5 Saturday, 9.35pm at HBF Park, Perth
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (capt), Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie; Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Tanielu Tele'a, Michael Manson.
