Hurricanes or Blues in Super Rugby Pacific Round 9?
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Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific is headlined by a top-of-the-table clash between the Hurricanes and Blues at Hnry Stadium as part of Saturday's quad-header.
This is followed by a top six clash as the Queensland Reds host the Crusaders in Brisbane, while the Fijian Drua return home to face the Western Force and Moana Pasifika take on the Chiefs.
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Friday's action sees the ACT Brumbies return to action, travelling to Dunedin to face the Highlanders.
The NSW Waratahs have the bye.
The Highlanders are coming off a big win last week over Moana while the Brumbies have plenty of talent but have struggled to string together consistent victories.
The Highlanders have Mitch Dunshea back from injury in the starting XV and Saula Ma'u on the bench.
The Chiefs are away and at home against Moana Pasifika at Rotorua with the game which was meant to be in Tonga but transferred to to funding issues.
The Chiefs will be led by Tupou Vaa'i and have form players in the losse forwards wth Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown and Simon Parker.
Jimmy Tupou will make his debut for Moana after previously making appearances for the Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs.
The Hurricanes look strong across the field with limited changes as they face the Blues.
If Dave Rennies was picking on form how many Canes players would be making the team? The loose forward trio of Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai would all be certainties.
The Blues have a few changes as Finlay Christie is back to start at halfback, while Che Clark shifts from the bench to start at blindside flanker.
Xavi Taele earns a start at second five, with Pita Ahki on the bench. Out wide, Codemeru Vai starts on the right wing, while Zarn Sullivan returns at fullback after missing the previous match through concussion.
Meanwhile the Crusaders will be missing Codie Taylor and Will Jordan through injury when they face the Reds in Brisbane who will no doubt be smarting over their loss to the Force in the last round.
Highlanders v ACT Brumbies
FRI 10 APRIL: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (19:05)
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kemaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Nic Shearer, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson
Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Hugh Renton, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Taniela Tele'a
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby MacPherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
SAT 11 APRIL: Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua (14:05)
MOANA (1-15): Malaki Hala-Ngatai, Millenium Sanerivi, Paula Latu, Tom Savage, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Niko Jones, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Atu Moli, Jimmy Tupou, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Tyler Pulini
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Fiti Sa, Luke Jacobson, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Reon Paul
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
HURRICANES V BLUES
SAT 11 APRIL: Hnry Stadium, Wellington (19:05)
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, 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 Laukai, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry (c), Che Clark, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Tristyn Cook, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Queensland Reds v Crusaders
SAT 11 APRIL: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:35)
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Isaac Henry
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leciester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Johnny Lee, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Aaron Paterson