Savea brothers to start against Hurricanes
- Dave Worsley
- May 28
- 3 min read
The final round of Super Rugby Pacific has three teams aiming to cement sixth place and the others searching for prime positions.
The Savea brothers, Ardie and Julian are set to start against their old team the Hurricanes this weekend. Moana Pasifika are looking to bounce back from the thrashing they got at the hands of Chiefs.
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The Hurricanes have Brett Cameron at first five and Ruben Love moving back to fullback. Tjay Clarke comes onto the bench for his first appearance of the season.
There's only a few minorl changes to the Highlanders with Cam Millar back at first five and Tai Cribb starting at lock for their match against the Chiefs.
Etene Nanai-Seturo finally returns after a hamstring injury in round one. He links up with Leroy Carter on the right wing and Shaun Stevenson at fullback.
Josh Lord is back from injury too at lock, with Samipeni Finau and Simon Parker swapping places in the starting lineup.
Back for the Crusaders after yet anotehr injury layoff is Ethan Blackadder.He'll be alongside Tom Chritie and Christian Lio-Willie in a formidable loose forward trio.
Antonio Shalfoon is at lock, while David Havili gets a rest as Dallas McLeod and Levi Aumua start in the midfield.
The Blues have to beat the Waratahs and gain the full five points and hope that Moana Pasifika get just four points if they beat the Hurricanes or that they lose.
The Waratahs can still make sixth if they beat the Blues and Moana lose. Simple really.
Finlay Christie starts for the Blues at halfback as the Blues return from the bye while Mark Tele'a is back on the wing after his suspension.
Highlanders v Chiefs, 7:05pm Friday 30 May, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tai Cribb, 6. TK Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cam Millar, 11. Taniela Filimone, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Chiefs: 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Reuben O'Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. George Dyer, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Manasa Mataele
Brumbies v Crusaders, 9:35pm Friday 30 May, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Tamaiti Williams, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Johnny McNicholl Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Lewis Ponini, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Braydon Ennor
Blues v Waratahs, 4:35pm Saturday 31 May, Eden Park, Auckland
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, 7:05pm Saturday 31 May, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Hugo Plummer, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Brett Cameron, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Ruben Love Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Tjay Clarke
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Lotu Inisi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Pepesana Patafilo
Other:
Reds v Drua
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 31 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Force - bye
