Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will play his first Super Rugby game in two years after being named on the bench for the Waratahs.
Read on and keep checking in for all the latest round seven team news.
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CRUSADERS vs HIGHLANDERS, Friday 5.05pm AEDT in Christchurch
The Crusaders have got mixed news on the injury front, with the return of Test stars Pablo Matera, Joe Moody and Braydon Ennor offset by three setbacks.
All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock will be out for at least a month with his broken finger, hooker Brodie McAlister is looking at even longer to recover from his calf ailment while lock Mitchell Dunshea’s knee injury has ended his season.
Young second rower Zach Gallagher is set to debut after being named on the bench.
“He’s a tough, relentless player with a massive engine, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
Meanwhile, former England winger Denny Solomona is set to make his Highlanders debut off the bench.
“He came into our squad and from day one he’s been outstanding in terms of his leadership around his parts of the game, in particular around defence and in the back three area,” assistant coach Riki Flutey said.
“His voice has been really valuable over the past few weeks and it’s a real opportunity for him this week.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Shilo Klein, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Pablo Matera, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Braydon Ennor
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (c), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Josh Hohneck, Anderew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Denny Solomona
READ MORE: Nic Berry calls out commentary ‘muppets’ after getting wires crossed
READ MORE: Super Rugby rookies Moana Pasifika push Blues in tight loss
READ MORE: Between Two Posts – Sean Maloney’s round six Super Rugby wrap
DRUA vs WARATAHS, Friday 7.45pm AEDT in Gold Coast
Drua coach Mick Byrne has handed promising winger Tuidraki Samusamuvodre a debut against the Waratahs as he eyes a second Super Rugby scalp.
Byrne, the former Wallabies skills coach, says the Drua were still adjusting to the mental side of professional rugby.
“It’s the nerves, the pre-match nerves, it’s all new to them,” Byrne said.
Meanwhile, Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will play his first Super Rugby game in two years after being named on the bench for the Waratahs.
Hooper played club rugby in Japan last season and missed the opening six rounds of 2022 due to a combination of a foot injury and contractual leave.
“Having Hoops back in the team is a massive boost for us,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
“Notwithstanding his playing ability and what he’ll add to the scoreboard but the professionalism and the way he carries himself has a real positive effect on the team. To have one of the best players in the world return is really exciting not just for us but for our fans and we can’t wait to see him on the field this weekend wearing the sky blue.”
DRUA (15-1): Kitione Ratu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Caleb Muntz, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Nemani Nagusa (c), Kitione Salawa, Joseva Tamani, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Isoa Nasilasila, Samuela Tawake, Mesulame Dolokoto, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Vilive Miramira, Rusiate Nasove, Peni Matawalu, Napolioni Bolaca
WARATAHS (15-1): Alex Newsome, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jack Grant, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Hugh Sinclair, Geoff Cridge, Jed Holloway (c), Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Michael Hooper, Teddy Wilson, Jamie Roberts, Triston Reilly
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are joined by Cam Shepherd and Sean’s puppy as they look back at an epic round of Super Rugby Pacific. Interesting refereeing, bad fancy dress and planking all feature in this week’s episode
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/seal-maloney-and-weird-wykesy/embed
BLUES vs MOANA PASIFIKA, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT in Auckland
BLUES (TBC)
MOANA PASIFIKA (TBC)
REDS vs BRUMBIES, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT in Brisbane
Speedy winger Filipo Daugunu and co-captain Liam Wright have come into Brad Thorn’s starting Reds side following injuries to Jock Campbell (hand) and Seru Uru (ankle).
Daugunu will play his 50th game for Queensland on the left wing while Wright gets the nod at blindside flanker.
Harry Hoopert will start at loosehead prop in place of the suspended Dane Zander while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has recovered from an ankle injury and is named on the bench for the final game before the Wallabies assemble for a camp on the Gold Coast.
“It’s massive – you’ve got two large groups of players who are in the Wallabies so I think boys have got more than playing for their state on the line,” Reds halfback Tate McDermott said.
“You’ve got gold jerseys but you’ve also got a proud tradition in playing the Brumbies, particularly in recent years it’s been a really good grind.”
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have signalled their intentions by naming an all-new front row including the return of captain Allan Alaalatoa.
Alaalatoa will be joined by Folau Fainga’a and James Slipper up front as Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio and Sefo Kautai drop to the bench.
Veteran Jesse Mogg will start at fullback in place of Tom Banks while Cam Clark is poised to make his debut from the reserves.
REDS (15-1): Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (co-c), Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert
Reserves: Richie Asiata, Feao Fotuaika, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Lawson Creighton
BRUMBIES (15-1): Jesse Mogg, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Rod Iona, Ryan Lonergan (c), Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Ed Kennedy, Nic White, Hudson Creighton, Cam Clark
HURRICANES vs CHIEFS, Sunday 1.35pm AEST in Wellington
HURRICANES (TBC)
CHIEFS (TBC)
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