Former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will start at inside centre for the Blues against the Hurricanes in his Super Rugby debut in Dunedin on Saturday.
And both the Waratahs and Reds will be without key flankers for Friday’s top-of-the-table clash in Sydney.
Keep checking in here for all the latest Round 2 team news.
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HIGHLANDERS vs CRUSADERS in Dunedin, Friday 5.05pm AEDT
Highlanders coach Tony Brown has tweaked his backline with two changes to tackle the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Connor Garden-Bachop comes in at fullback while Thomas Umaga-Jensen slots in at inside centre for the southern derby against the title favourites.
Sam Gilbert switches from fullback to the right wing while Round 1 starters Mosese Dawai and Scott Gregory drop out of the squad.
Meanwhile, George Bridge is the unlucky Crusaders winger this week, dropping to the bench to allow Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku starts.
Reece came off the bench against the Hurricanes while Fainga’anuku scored a hat-trick.
“It’s a long season, everyone is going to get their opportunity to vie for a jersey and make it their own, but the depth of your squad is what gets you through,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
“We’re really excited a lot of our guys can play multiple positions.”
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (c), Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton
CRUSADERS (15-1): Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fergus Burke, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody
Reserves: Shilo Klein, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Simon Hickey, George Bridge
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WARATAHS vs REDS in Sydney, Friday 7.45pm AEDT
NSW and Queensland have both been weakened with the loss of key flankers with shoulder injuries for what looms as an intriguing round two clash.
Waratahs talisman Lachie Swinton hurt his arm late in the drought-breaking win over the Drua and has been replaced by Jeremy Williams at blindside in the only change to Darren Coleman’s run-on team.
There are four changes on the bench with Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson and Jack Grant in for Tiaan Tauakipulu, Hugh Sinclair, Carlo Tizzano and Henry Robertson.
It will be Smith’s Waratahs debut against his former club.
“It will be good – it’ll be weird because it was not too long ago that I was there. I’m still close with everyone and have made lifelong friends there,” Smith said.
“It’ll be interesting, I’ll be throwing a few cheeky elbows at a few people and maybe rub some dirt in their face. I know how they think, and their coaching staff will tell them to step it up and get in our faces and be physical as that’s probably where they want to beat us.”
Meanwhile, Reds co-captain Liam Wright is replaced by Fraser McReight at openside flanker, while loosehead prop Feao Fotuaika comes in for Dane Zander.
Hunter Paisami remains sidelined with a knee injury.
“We were pleased with the win over the Rebels, but we’re a fair bit off where we need to be,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.
“The Waratahs will be a tough opponent. They’re playing good rugby at the moment. They’re in good form following a big win over the Drua and strong performances in their trial matches. We’re expecting a tough contest down at Leichhardt Oval.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Alex Newsome, Dylan Pietsch, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, James Turner, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Jeremy Williams, Geoff Cridge, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Hugh Sinclair, Carlo Tizzano, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Jamie Roberts
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Dagunu, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Feao Fotuaika
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy
BRUMBIES vs DRUA in Canberra, Saturday 2.35pm AEDT
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has handed starts to the Lonergan brothers, Lachlan and Ryan, for the Round 2 home game against the Drua.
Hooker Lachlan scored the match-winning try against the Force last weekend and replaces Folau Fainga’a while halfback Ryan replaces Wallabies veteran Nic White.
The other change to the starting side sees giant lock Nick Frost come in for Cadeyrn Neville.
“We’re fortunate to be in a position to rotate some guys in for this week off the back of a hard-fought game in the heat against the Force,” McKellar said.
“Our ‘Runners’ (B team) were outstanding in Sydney last Saturday and guys like Billy Pollard, Jahrome Brown and Chris Feauai-Sautia on debut get a crack (from the bench) off the back of that. We know we’ve got to be more accurate this week against the Drua but there was plenty to build on from Round 1 and we’re excited to be back home again this week in front of our friends, families, members and supporters.”
Meanwhile, Drua coach Mick Byrne has changed his playmaking strategy by shifting Baden Kerr to fullback and promoting Caleb Muntz into the No.10 jersey.
“We have been continuing to work on our game and looking to be more accurate with ball in hand,” Byrne said.
“We have now experienced the pace of Super Rugby and are excited and looking forward to going again this weekend.”
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Pete Samu, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Jahrome Brown, Nic White, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg
DRUA (15-1): Baden Kerr, Onisi Ratave, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Hobosi, Caleb Muntz, Simione Kuruvoli, Nemani Nagusa (c), Kitione Salawa, Vilive Miramira, Ratu Rotuisolia, Isoa Nasilasila, Samuela Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Meli Derenalagi, Joseva Tamani, Peni Matawalu, Napolioni Bolaca
BLUES vs HURRICANES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT
Former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will start at inside centre for the Blues against the Hurricanes in his Super Rugby debut in Dunedin on Saturday.
“Roger has settled in extremely well and fitted into rugby like the professional he is,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.
“If we can get some good front foot ball it will be interesting to see the backline in action.”
Star five-eighth Beauden Barrett will miss the match as he continues his recovery from concussion.
Former Blues captain Blake Gibson will start at openside flanker for the Hurricanes.
BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Tom Robinson (c), Josh Goodhue, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Tanielu Tele’a
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Bailyn Sullivan, Julian Savea, Salesi Rayasi, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea (c), Blake Gibson, Reed Prinsep, Justin Sangster, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones
Reserves: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Ben May, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Ruben Love, Peter Umaga-Jensen
REBELS vs FORCE in Melbourne, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT
Rebels coach Kevin Foote has benched rising five-eighth Carter Gordon after the youngster had a mixed performance in Round 1 against the Reds.
Foote has opted for the experience of Matt To’omua at pivot, moving him in from inside centre and promoting Raymond Nu’u to start at No.12.
The Force have also opted for experience and made a key backline change with Rugby World Cup winner Richard Kahui coming in for Bayley Kuenzle at inside centre.
Kuenzle took a knock in Round 1 with the Force falling to the Brumbies in a thriller.
“I think the 23 guys that played against the Brumbies did an outstanding job and they deserve to be out there again playing against the Rebels,” Force coach Tim Sampson said.
“To win a game of rugby you must have quality depth and that showed on the weekend when the guys that came on in the second half had an impact on the game.
“It’s been a strength of ours for a while and we’re very good in that period traditionally. We back the guys that come out in that second half, that they are going to do the job for us.”
REBELS (15-1): Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Stacey Ili, Raymond Nu’u, Glen Vaihu, Matt To’omua, Joe Powell, Michael Wells (c), Brad Wilkin, Sam Wallis, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr
Reserves: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Sef Fa’agase, Thomas Nowlan, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Young Tonumaipea
FORCE (15-1): Jake Strachan, Toni Pulu, Kyle Godwin, Richard Kahui, Manasa Mataele, Reesjan Pasitoa, Ian Prior, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Tom Roberston
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Harry Lloyd , Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Byron Ralston
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