Former Manly outside back Tevita Funa is set to make his Waratahs debut in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Brumbies in Canberra.
And Rebels coach Kevin Foote has made sweeping changes to his struggling squad for Friday’s date with the Drua on the Sunshine Coast.
Keep checking in for all the latest Round 3 team news.
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MOANA PASIFIKA vs CRUSADERS, Friday 5.05pm AEDT in Dunedin
Former Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Christian Leali’ifano will be part of history as they take the field for Moana Pasifika’s maiden Super Rugby game.
Kepu is the proud captain of the new club, who had their first two matches postponed due to outbreaks of COVID-19.
He will start at tighthead prop while playmaker Leali’ifano is on the bench for the daunting assignment against the champion Crusaders.
Richie Mo’unga will return from leave for Scott Robertson’s side and has been named on the bench behind Simon Hickey.
Lock Quinten Strange will captain a vastly different side from the one that beat the Highlanders last weekend.
MOANA PASIFIKA (15-1): William Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Henry Time-Stowers, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki, Samuel Slade, Mike McKee, Sekope Kepu (c), Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Joe Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali’ifano, Fine Inisi
CRUSADERS (15-1): Chay Fihaki, George Bridge, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod, Kini Naholo, Simon Hickey, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange (c), Mitch Dunshea, Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister, George Bower
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Isaiah Punivai
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FIJIAN DRUA vs MELBOURNE REBELS, Friday 7.45pm AEDT in Sunshine Coast
Olympic gold medallist Meli Derenalagi will captain the Drua for the first time in their first ‘home’ game against the Rebels.
The former sevens star will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Nemani Nagusa.
Meanwhile, Rebels coach Kevin Foote has reacted to a poor 0-2 start to the season by making sweeping changes.
Reece Hodge’s suspension sees Carter Gordon start at fullback while former Storm flyer Young Tonumaipea and Queensland product Lukas Ripley are also included in a new-look starting backline.
Tamati Ioane starts at No.8 in a reworked loose forward trio with captain Michael Wells moving to blindside flanker.
Homegrown lock Josh Canham also gets a start alongside Matt Philip while experienced hooker James Hanson comes in for Jordan Uelese.
“I’m thrilled for Josh and Lukas winning starting selection this week,” Foote said.
“Both players have been diligent in their preparation and game development since arriving at our club and so it’s great to see their hard work and perseverance rewarded with senior selection.”
DRUA (15-1): Baden Kerr, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi, Caleb Muntz, Peni Matawalu, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Ratu Rotuisolia, Isoa Nasilasila, Samuela Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Rusiate Nasove, Joshua Vuta, Teti Tela, Jona Mataiciwa
REBELS (15-1): Carter Gordon, Young Tonumaipea, Lukas Ripley, Raymond Nu’u, Glen Vaihu, Matt To’omua, Joe Powell, Tamati Ioane, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), Josh Canham, Matt Philip, Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Cameron Orr
Reserves: Efi Ma’afu, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Rhys van Nek, Josh Hill, Sam Wallis, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Ilikena Vudogo
WESTERN FORCE vs QUEENSLAND REDS, Friday 10pm AEDT in Perth
Exciting halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has got a start for the Force as they eye a major scalp in their first home game of 2022.
Fines-Leleiwasa will partner Reesjan Pasitoa in the halves after the five-eighth was talked up as a Wallaby-in-waiting by Tim Horan.
“I think it’s exciting that they both can light up a game pretty easily and quickly,” Force coach Tim Sampson said of his starting halves.
“They’re pretty cool, calm, collected players. I think they’re looking forward to playing with each other. We want to start pretty fast, and Issak brings that. He’s very dynamic around the fringes of the breakdown. They (Reds) have played a couple of games on a heavy deck, and travelling over here we want to try to start fast and wear them down in the first half to set up the game for the second half.”
Meanwhile, star Reds centre Hunter Paisami will get his first action of the season after shaking off a knee injury to start at No.13.
Impressive youngster Josh Flook moves to the left wing to accommodate Paisami while Kalani Thomas starts at halfback in place of injured captain Tate McDermott.
With flankers Liam Wright and Angus Scott-Young also sidelined, Northampton-bound Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will lead a Reds side that features the return of Taniela Tupou (back) via the bench.
“It’s been a big week with the floods up here in Brisbane,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.
“We’ve had two tough games so far and we look forward to another one against the Force on Friday night. They’ve got good experience and they’re playing in front of their home fans for the first time this year, so they’ll be a tough opposition.”
FORCE (15-1): Jake Strachan, Toni Pulu, Kyle Godwin, Richard Kahui, Manasa Mataele, Reesjan Pasitoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Brynard Stander, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Tom Robertson
Reserves: Jack Winchester, Harry Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Kane Koteka, Ian Prior, Jake McIntyre, Grason Makara
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, James O’Connor, Kalani Thomas, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (c), Angus Blyth, Feao Fotuaika, Josh Nasser, Dane Zander
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuaina Tualima, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy
BLUES vs CHIEFS, Saturday 2.35pm AEDT in Auckland
BLUES (TBC)
CHIEFS (TBC)
HURRICANES vs HIGHLANDERS, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT in Wellington
Lock Caleb Delany will make his Hurricanes debut against the Highlanders, replacing Justin Sangster in the starting side.
“Caleb has come right through the academy system with Wellington and trained with us, so the boys know him well,” Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.
“He’s really matured in the last little bit. He’s ready to go. He’s training well, and I know he’s busting to take his opportunity, so it’s good to have this energy coming in.”
Ruben Love returns at five-eighth for Jackson Garden-Bachop while Billy Proctor comes back into midfield to allow Julian Savea to resume duties on the right wing.
Meanwhile, Highlanders coach Tony Brown has given Folau Fakatava a start at halfback ahead of Aaron Smith while winger Liam Coombes-Fabling will make his debut.
“This is a good opportunity for Fakatava while we manage Nuggie’s load and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes,” Brown said.
“We know we’re going to benefit from Nug’s leadership, speed, and energy when he comes on. Liam has earned his opportunity with three good weeks of training – he has a high workrate and provides X-factor on the edge.”
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi, Ruben Love, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Caleb Delany, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones
Reserves: Siua Maile, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Peter Umaga-Jensen
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Mitch Hunt (co-c), Folau Fakatava (c), Gareth Evans, James Lentjes (co-c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Marty Banks, Scott Gregory
BRUMBIES vs NSW WARATAHS, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT in Canberra
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar continues to tweak his powerful squad for Saturday’s grudge match against NSW.
Wallabies halfback Nic White returns at halfback for Ryan Lonergan while flanker Jahrome Brown and hooker Folau Fainga’a come in for Rory Scott and Lachlan Lonergan respectively.
“We’re pleased with the efforts of the entire squad to be honest and we’re having really robust conversations around selection every week, which is what you need as a coaching group,” McKellar said.
“We have quality and depth in a few positions, openside being one where we can rotate and maintain consistent performance so it’s great for Jahrome to get a start this week and for Luke Reimer to get a crack off the bench after performance in training and for the Runners.
“Whitey and Folau come back in as well which will give us a bit of extra experience at the start against an improved Waratahs team that will challenge us across the park on Saturday night.”
Meanwhile, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has received some mixed news on the injury front, losing lock Geoff Cridge (ankle) but gaining playmaker Will Harrison (shoulder).
Cridge’s absence has led to a reshuffle, with blindside flanker Jeremy Williams moving into the second row and Hugh Sinclair slotting in at No.6.
Harrison is one of only two backs named on the NSW bench along with former Manly NRL flyer Tevita Funa.
“It’s great to have Will Harrison back in the side, he brings a wide skillset, great kicking game and his tenacity will be a huge asset for us in the game,” Coleman said.
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg
WARATAHS (15-1): Alex Newsome, Dylan Pietsch, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, James Turner, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Hugh Sinclair, Jeremy Williams, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Tom Horton, Te Tera Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harrison, Tevita Funa
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