Super Rugby teams set for playoff clashes
- Dave Worsley
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 6
Playoffs time in Super Rugby Pacific and the Crusaders look to be the biggest favourites as they host the Reds on Friday in Christhurch.
The Crusaders have won 13 of their past 14 matches against the Queensland side
Will Jordan's back from a knee injury while there's the traditional strength across the park for the home side.
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For the Chiefs Loosehead prop Aidan Ross will celebrate 100 games in the Chiefs jersey after eight seasons in the front row. He becomes the 13th player to hit the milestone .
Wallace Sititi will be used as an impact player with a starting loose forward trio of Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau.
There’s just one change to the starting XV with Adrian Choat coming in at blindside flanker for Anton Segner who will provide impact off the bench.
The game will be a special occasion for hooker Ricky Riccitelli who will run out in his 50th match for the Blues while in-form Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele'a will be wanting to win as it could be their last games in New Zealand for some time as both players are heading overseas
The Chiefs have won nine of their last 11 games against the Blues in Hamilton.
Meanwhile Asafo Aumua is back for the Hurricanes for their play-off match against the Brumbies., a significant boost with Raymond Tuputupu backing him up on the bench and Jacob Devery dropping out of the squad.
Caleb Delany comes back in at lock alongside Zach Gallagher, and Ngane Punivai is on the bench. Brett Cameron and Ruben Love start.
Overall in Super Rugby Pacific the Brumbies lead 19 matches to 14 but the Canes won their most recent encounter.
Crusaders v Red, Friday 6 June, 7.05pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (captain), Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod.
Chiefs v Blues, Saturday 7 June, 7.05pm, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Gideon Wrampling, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Adrian Choat, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.
Brumbies v Hurricanes, Saturday 7 June, Gio Stadium, Canberra
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor (co-capt), Peter Umaga-Jensen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Devan Flanders, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-capt), Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields (co-capt), Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin.
