Chiefs or Crusaders? Canes or Blues? Super semis
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
It's Super Rugby semis time as the Crusaders who have form at the right end of the season travel to Hamilton to face the Chiefs on Friday night.
The second semif has the Hurricanes looking to continue their domination of the competition on Saturday against a Blues side who would have to score a massive upset to win.
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There's plenty of names in and out of the lineups with players pushing to have their names in All Blacks selection.
Chiefs [2] v Crusaders [3]
FRI 12 JUNE: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (19:05)
The Chiefs have made several changes for Friday's semi-final against the Crusaders.
Wallace Sititi and Kyle Brown (both concussions) will miss the match, leaving Lalakai Foketi and Samipeni Finau to start.
Finau's elevation sees Simon Parker shift to number eight, with Foketi partnering Quinn Tupaea.
Kaylum Boshier and Xavier Roe are the new faces on the bench, while Damian McKenzie is set for his 150th Super Rugby match.
As for the Crusaders, their front-row stocks are boosted significantly with the return of Fletcher Newell.
The tight-head is one of two changes to the team that defeated the Blues, with George Bower heading back to the bench.
The other change comes in the centres as Braydon Ennor replaces Dallas McLeod (groin) as Macca Springer has been added to the bench.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, George Bower, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Hurricanes [1] v Blues [4]
SAT 13 JUNE: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (19:05)
The Hurricanes have one change to their starting side and it's a big one as winger Fehi Fineanganofo returns from injury.
Fineanganofo takes his spot on the wing after tying the season record for most tries in a season, with a hamstring injury preventing him from breaking it
Kini Naholo reverts back to the bench, while Siale Lauaki is the other new name on the bench.
For the Blues, they have recalled Beauden Barrett to the starting side after his battle with a quad issue.
Barrett starts at fullback in place of Zarn Sullivan (foot), with Stephen Perofeta retaining his spot at flyhalf as Finlay Christie replaces Sam Nock (hand).
Hoskins Sotutu is the lone change to the starting pack, coming in for the suspended Malachi Wrampling, with Che Clark added to the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Beauden Barrett
Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Che Clark, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
