Super Rugby round two teams: Squad news, injuries, referees and kick-off times
WARATAHS coach Daryl Gibson has named four newcomers in his starting side for their first Super Rugby game of the 2018 season.
Read on for all the latest round two team news.
HIGHLANDERS v BLUES in Dunedin, Friday 5.35pm AEDT
Teihorangi Walden has won the vacant midfield starting spot in a Highlanders team that is close to full strength for their season opening match against the Blues.
Walden will start outside All Blacks five-eighth Lima Sopoaga in Dunedin on Friday, with Rob Thompson shifting out to centre in place of the injured Richard Buckman (neck).
Proven and versatile back Matt Faddes misses a starting spot and takes his place on the bench.
The midfield shuffle is the only change made by new coach Aaron Mauger to the starting side who beat the Crusaders in last week’s preseason clash in Gore.
All Blacks flanker Elliot Dixon is once again on the bench, along with former Rebels prop Tyrel Lomax.
Hulking former Australia under-20s prop Lomax is the son of former Kiwis league prop John and will be the only player to make his Highlanders debut if called into action.
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All Blacks fullback and Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith makes his first top flight appearance since taking a sabbatical midway through last year’s international schedule.
Fellow co-captain Ash Dixon wins the starting hooker berth over one Test veteran Liam Coltman.
Mauger says the opening game has been on the players’ mind since gathering before Christmas and hope it reflects against a strong Blues side.
“Throughout the preseason we have had a real focus on producing a performance that we and our supporters can be proud of,” he said.
“It’s great we have the opening match at our home ground for the Gordon Hunter trophy, it gives us a really good opportunity to connect with our people.”
The late Gordon Hunter coached both teams and they have contested the silverware in his name 16 times since 2002.
The record is eight wins each, with the Highlanders the current holders.
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Meanwhile, Tana Umaga has cast aside a hefty early season injury toll to name a strong Blues side.
All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino (ankle) is among 11 players unavailable to Umaga.
Yet he has still unveiled a starting XV featuring six Test players in the starting line-up and a seventh, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, among the reserves.
Newly appointed captain Augustine Pulu will hope his service from halfback can spark a backline swelling with attacking talent, including wingers Rieko Ioane and Matt Duffie and midfield pairing Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala.
A key performer will be Bryn Gatland, who will make his fifth Blues appearance at five-eighth but possibly owed to the injuries suffered by Stephen Perofeta and Otere Black.
Flanker Glenn Preston will make his Super Rugby debut while most of the bench are yet to play for the Blues.
Those hoping for a first appearance are hooker Leni Apisai, prop Mike Tamoaieta, halfback Jonathan Ruru, five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick and loose forward brackets, Antonio Kiri Kiri and Sione Havili.
Coach Umaga, who said Kaino is likely to be fit next week, is looking forward to seeing how his new players gel.
He said while excitement levels are high, it takes more than that to win New Zealand derbies.
They have won just once in their past 22 games against Kiwi opponents, which has contributed to them failing to make the finals since 2011.
“Everyone is excited to get the season underway and I’m pleased with the attitude and application from our players in preseason,” Umaga said.
“We continued to improve last year but we know that we need to do better against our fellow New Zealand teams, especially with two full derby rounds this year, and also deliver on those key moments in what is going to be a very tight and tough season.
“We have a few players with longer term injuries, and some with lesser injuries that could have possibly played if pushed, but this is a long season and player welfare is really important.”
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes
BLUES (15-1): Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, George Moala, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Bryn Gatland, Augustine Pulu (c), Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Glenn Preston, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Tamoaieta, Patrick Tuipulotu, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Jonathan Ruru, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Melani Nanai
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZ)
Click HERE for match centre
REBELS v REDS in Melbourne, Friday 7.45pm AEDT
New Rebels coach Dave Wessels has named 10 Test players in his starting side to host the Reds at AAMI Park on Friday.
After a back injury sidelined him from preseason trials, halfback Will Genia will make his first Rebels appearance against his old club, with Jack Debreczeni winning the battle for the No 10 jersey alongside him.
Injured winger Marika Koroibete was not considered for selection while former England Test lock Geoff Parling also misses out on the squad.
Captain Adam Coleman and Matt Philip have been paired in an international second row.
“The players we’ve picked have earned the opportunity to represent us against the Reds through their hard work, commitment and consistent intensity over the preseason,” said former Force coach Wessels.
“But I’ve also been impressed with the reaction of those players who have just missed out this week.
“The way they have applied themselves in training, knowing they are pushing the players ahead of them for the good of the team, has been pretty special.
“We expect the Reds to be physical and fit.
“And we’ve prepared ourselves for a confrontational game.
“Our aim is pretty simple — no matter what the outcome, we want to make the people of Melbourne proud through the commitment and intensity of our performances.”
Meanwhile, Izack Rodda has made an early return from a shoulder injury and has been given the green light by the Reds’ medical department to line up alongside Lukhan Tui in the second row.
This follows 16 weeks of gruelling rehab and a return this month to contact work.
Rodda, whose return shunts Kane Douglas to the bench, is one of only two changes to the Reds’ team from last week’s win over the Fiji Warriors in their final pre-season trial.
The other is forced, with Izaia Perese (knee) replaced on the wing by Eto Nabuli, who has overcome a wrist complaint.
Perese, Ben Lucas (knee) and George Smith (back) are the only first choice players unavailable through injury.
Jono Lance has retained the No 10 jersey over Hamish Stewart, while Aidan Toua will get first crack at fullback in the absence of Karmichael Hunt.
His career remains up in the air as Rugby Australia continues its investigation into his recent arrest.
The Reds have named Super Rugby debutant Brandon Paenga-Amosa at hooker, and there are another three first-timers on the bench — backrower Liam Wright, halfback Tate McDermott and winger Filipo Daugunu.
REBELS (15-1): Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Tom English, Reece Hodge, Sefa Naivalu, Jack Debreczeni, Will Genia, Amanaki Mafi, Angus Cottrell, Lopeti Timani, Adam Coleman (c), Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Jordan Uelese, Tetera Faulkner
Reserves: Anaru Rangi, Fereti Sa’aga, Sam Talakai, Sam Jeffries, Ross Haylett-Petty, Michael Ruru, Semisi Tupou, Billy Meakes
REDS (15-1): Aidan Toua, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Jono Lance, James Tuttle, Scott Higginbotham (c), Adam Korczyk, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper
Reserves: Alex Mafi, JP Smith, Sef Fa’agase, Kane Douglas, Liam Wright, Tate McDermott, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Brendan Pickerill (NZ)
Click HERE for match centre
SUNWOLVES v BRUMBIES in Tokyo, Saturday 3.15pm AEDT
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will be without Scott Sio for his first Super Rugby game in charge of the Canberra side, with the Wallabies prop sitting out the Tokyo trip to nurse a “minor niggle.”
Even without Sio the Brumbies should have too much firepower for the Sunwolves, as McKellar unveiled a starting side featuring four Brumbies debutantes.
Lock Richie Arnold, flanker Rob Valetini, No 8 Isi Naisarani and winger Chance Peni will all make their club debuts, with Arnold edging out twin brother and Test lock Rory for a start.
Former Olympic sevens star Tom Cusack has won the battle for the No 7 jersey ahead of Lachlan McCaffrey as David Pocock continues his rehab.
The experienced Ben Alexander will start at loosehead in place of Sio while cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano will make his first start in Super Rugby since 2016 at five-eighth.
Meanwhile, new Sunwolves coach Jamie Joseph has named former Highlanders Jason Emery and Robbie Robinson in his backline at fullback and five-eighth respectively.
“The Brumbies are a tough opponent,” Joseph said.
“It will be a challenging game for us.
“I anticipate that they are going to put a lot of pressure on the setpieces — scrum and lineout.
“Plus, they have tough backs that are really hard to stop.
“We need to stop their momentum from the source.”
SUNWOLVES (15-1): Jason Emery, Lomano Lemeki, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Hosea Saumaki, Robbie Robinson, Yutaka Nagare (c), Willem Britz, Lappies Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno, Grant Hattingh, Sam Wykes, Jiwon Koo, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki
Reserves: Jaba Bregvadze, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, James Moore, Ed Quirk, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Sione Teaupa
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Chance Peni, Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, Tom Cusack, Rob Valetini, Sam Carter, Richie Arnold, Alan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Faalelei Sione, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Rory Arnold, Lachlan McCaffrey, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Lausii Taliauli
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
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CRUSADERS v CHIEFS in Christchurch, Saturday 5.35pm AEDT
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named nine All Blacks in his starting side to host the Chiefs in the opening match of their Super Rugby title defence.
There are just two changes from the run-on XV that lost their final preseason match against the Highlanders in Waimumu last Thursday.
Luke Romano replaces fellow Test lock Scott Barrett while George Bridge gets the start on the left wing.
Loose forward Billy Harmon is set to earn his first Super Rugby cap off the bench.
All Blacks stars Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Israel Dagg are all injured.
Meanwhile, new Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has sprung a surprise by naming co-captain Charlie Ngatai at fullback.
Ngatai has made the majority of his Super Rugby starts in the centres.
Johnny Fa’auli starts in the No 12 jersey instead while Taleni Seu is another interesting selection at No 8 with Liam Messam included on the bench.
Aidan Ross wins the starting loosehead jersey while former Waratahs prop Angus Ta’avao is on the bench.
As expected, Damian McKenzie starts at No 10 in a fascinating head to head with Crusaders pivot Richie Mo’unga.
“Everyone is talking about Damian, but it’s just about giving him time at 10,” Cooper said.
“(Halfback) Brad (Weber) is coming off injury, but played really well in the preseason and shows a lot of excitement if he can get into space.
“(Blindside flanker) Mitchell Brown had a very good game against the Brumbies and brings a lot of physicality.
“(Openside flanker) Sam Cane is an All Black with proven leadership, and a hard worker. “Taleni Seu is new at No 8, but I like his skill, speed and power off the back of the scrum.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (c), Luke Romano, Mike Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele
CHIEFS (15-1): Charlie Ngatai (co-captain), Shaun Stevenson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Johnny Fa’auli, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane (co-captain), Mitchell Brown, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Liam Polwart, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avo, Liam Messam, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty McKenzie, Sean Wainui
Venue: AMI Stadium
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
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WARATAHS v STORMERS in Sydney, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has named four newcomers in his starting side for their first Super Rugby game of the 2018 season.
Former Australian Schoolboys representative Lalakai Foketi will get his first game for the Tahs at outside centre, with ex-Force recruit Curtis Rona chosen on the wing against the Stormers at Allianz Stadium.
‘We see him getting better and better,” Gibson said of Foketi, who played two games for the Rebels in 2014 before stints with Bayonne and Bay of Plenty.
“He’s a slightly different centre to what we’ve had in the past, he’s a very strong ball runner, he’s a good defender and also he’s got good passing skills.”
Former Queensland Reds stalwart Rob Simmons and ex-Brumby Tom Staniforth are newcomers in the second row of a new-look pack.
There are two potential Super Rugby debutants on the bench in lock Nick Palmer and prop Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Also among the replacements are prop Shambeckler Vui, halfback Mitch Short and outside back Alex Newsome, all poised to make their maiden Super appearances for the Waratahs after playing for other Australian teams.
“The game against the Stormers will be a physical contest and it’s a chance for our guys to show what they have, and what we have been focusing on delivering,” Gibson said.
“The kind of start we had against the Rebels last week was too slow for my liking, and we cannot afford to do that against the Stormers.
“We will need to up the tempo.”
Meanwhile, Pieter-Steph du Toit and SP Marais both return from injury for the Stormers.
Lock du Toit (back) and fullback Marais (toe) both missed the opening 28-20 victory against the Jaguares last week, but have been included in a starting line-up which features four changes in total.
Kobus van Dyk starts at No 7 while coach Robbie Fleck has shifted Dillyn Leyds to the wing and JJ Engelbrecht to outside centre.
Sevens star Seabelo Senatla is rested due to a heavy preseason workload.
“It has been a good week for us in Sydney and the players are focused on making a positive start to the tour,” Fleck said.
“We know there are several areas in which we can improve, so we will be giving it everything on Saturday.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Israel Folau, Andrew Kellaway Lalakai Foketi, Kurtley Beale Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (c), Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons. Tom Staniforth, Paddy Ryan, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambeckler Vui, Nick Palmer, Jed Holloway, Mitch Short, Bryce Hegarty, Alex Newsome
STORMERS (15-1): SP Marais, Dillyn Leyds, JJ Engelbrecht, Damian de Allende, Raymond Rhule, Damian Willemse, Dewaldt Duvenage, Nizaam Carr, Kobus van Dyk, Siya Kolisi (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, JD Schickerling, Wilco Louw, Ramone Samuels, Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: Dean Muir, JC Janse ven Rensburg, Carlu Sadie, Chris van Zyl, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Justin Phillips, George Whitehead, EW Viljoen
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
Click HERE for match centre
LIONS v JAGUARES in Johannesburg, Sunday 12.05am AEDT
The Lions will be out to make it back to back wins to start the season when they host the Jaguares at Ellis Park.
The Lions edged the Sharks 26-19 in their opening match, while the Jaguares went down to the Stormers 28-20 at Newlands.
New Lions coach Swys de Bruin has made two changes to his side, recalling lock Andries Ferreira while scrum half Marco Jansen van Vuren is also in line to make his debut after being named on the bench.
Jaguares coach Mario Ledesma has made two changes.
Lock Guido Petti takes the place of Matias Alemanno who drops to the bench.
Bautista Delguy starts on the right wing, instead of Emiliano Boffelli — who moves to the left wing and Ramiro Moyano moving to the bench.
Meanwhile, veteran playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez’s position among the replacements is taken by backrower Leonardo Senatore.
LIONS (15-1): Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (c), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen
Reserves: Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith, Jacobie Adriaanse, Lourens Erasmus, Hacjivah Dayimani, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Howard Mnisi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg
JAGUARES (15-1): Joaquin Tuculet, Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Bautista Ezcurra, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomas Lezana, Javier Ortega, Pablo Matera (c), Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy, Felipe Arregui
Reserves: Julian Montoya, Javier Manuel, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Matias Alemanno, Marcos Kremer, Martin Landajo, Leonardo Senatore, Ramiro Moyano
Venue: Ellis Park
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
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BULLS v HURRICANES in Pretoria, Sunday 2.15am AEDT
World player of the year Beauden Barrett will start on the Hurricanes’ bench in Pretoria as coach Chris Boyd puts his faith in new recruit Ihaia West in the No 10 jersey.
The Hurricanes also have a new captain in blindside flanker Brad Shields while the versatile Matt Proctor starts at fullback as Jordie Barrett and Nehe Milner-Skudder continue their comebacks from injury.
Former Highlander Gareth Evans gets the nod at No 8 while former Rebels Toby Smith and Murray Douglas are included in the squad.
Exciting young prop Alex Fidow is also poised to make his Hurricanes debut from the bench.
Meanwhile, new Bulls coach John Mitchell has named four Springboks in his side.
Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager will all start, while former Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss to come off the bench.
Mitchell was excited to see how his side would cope against one of the competition favourites.
“The wait is finally over for us,” Mitchell said.
“We worked hard to get to this point and that work and progress will now be tested against one of the best teams in the competition.
“It is a tough way to start, but we would not want it any other way.
“We know we play a very decent team, but our squad will be pretty focussed on our own outcomes and how to get there.
“We worked hard to this point, but we understand that we will not be the complete product yet.”
BULLS (15-1): Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal (c), Johnny Kotze, Handre Pollard, Andre Warner, Hanro Liebenberg, Thembelani Bholi, Roelof Smit, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Frans van Wyk, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboka, Conraad van Vuuren, Nic de Jager, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier, Marnitz Boshoff, Divan Rossouw
HURRICANES (15-1): Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Ihaia West, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Murray Douglas, Blade Thomson, Jamie Booth, Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Click HERE for match centre
BYE: SHARKS