Can Crusaders continue record over Blues?
- Dave Worsley
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Super Rugby Pacific round 10 has a few key match ups and interesting selections as sides jostle for position.
The Crusaders host the Blues on Good Friday having won six of their past seven clashes and 13 from 14 at Appolo Projects Stadium.
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The home team lead the points table while the Blues need wins to be assured of a playoff place.
Reiko Ioane is at centre in his 120 game and has confirmed he will be taking a sabbatical to Leinster at the end of the season.
Zarn Sullivan is back for the Blues for the first time this season at fullback while Caleb Clarke is out injured and Mark Tele'a, off to Japan moves to the left wing.
Hamdahn Tuipulotu, the younger brother of Patrick, could make his debut off the bench. Taufa Funaki and Harry Plummer are the two back reserves.
Codie Taylor starts at hooker and Kyle Preston is onto the reserves at halfback for the Crusaders.
Meanwhile Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has put Ruben Love at first five for their game in Perth against the Force.
Riley Higgins is backup for Love while Billy Proctor is onto the bench for his first game of the season
Ardie Savea is out for Moana's game against the Brumbies on Saturday afternoon, but the brother Julian returns for his first game of the season, starting in a suprise position at second five ahead of in-form Danny Toala.
Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson revert back to first five and fullback respectively after the Chiefs' disaster in Sydney last Friday. Anton Lienert-Brown comes onto the bench after recovering from injury.
There's only one change to the Highlanders, with Mitch Dunshea coming in at lock.
Last round the Highlanders had a good win over the Fijian Drua in Dunedin which was an ideal build up for their clash against the Chiefs..
Teams:
Crusaders v Blues: 7:05pm Friday 18 April, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili/Dallas McLeod (c), 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan, Reserves: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Macca Springer/Dallas McLeod
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Mark Tele'a, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Zarn Sullivan, Reserves:16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Hamdahn Tuipolotu, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Cameron Suafoa, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Taufa Funaki, 23. Harry Plummer
Moana Pasifika v Brumbies, 4:35pm Saturday 19 April, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Michael Curry, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Sione Havili Talitui (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Pat Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 14. Fine Inisi, 15. Tevita Ofa, Reserves: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Danny Toala
Chiefs v Highlanders, 7:05pm Saturday 19 April, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson, Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Reserves:16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. TK Howden, 20. Will Stodart, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Jonah Lowe
Force v Hurricanes, 9:35pm Saturday 19 April, HBF Park, Perth
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua (cc), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin, Reserves: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Higgins, 23. Billy Proctor
