Super Rugby Pacific: Round 2 Team Lineups and Key Matchups
The second round of Super Rugby Pacific is set, with team lineups confirmed for the upcoming fixtures. One of the most anticipated clashes of the weekend will see the Chiefs take on the Crusaders on Friday.
A key talking point in the Chiefs’ squad selection is the decision to keep All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie at full-back, despite head coach Clayton McMillan previously stating that McKenzie is the team’s primary fly-half.
Following their 25-14 victory over the Blues last weekend, McMillan reaffirmed McKenzie’s status as their preferred No. 10, saying, “He’s our guy, you know he’s our 10. The other guys are talented and chasing him, but tonight Josh [Jacomb] got an opportunity and I thought he did extremely well.”
McKenzie moved to fly-half during the Chiefs’ win against the Blues, helping them gain control of the match. However, for the game against the Crusaders, Jacomb will continue in the No. 10 role, with McKenzie remaining at full-back. It remains a possibility that McKenzie could shift into the fly-half position later in the game or at some point in the season.
Friday Night: Chiefs vs. Crusaders
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs Starting XV:
15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Emoni Narawa, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Rameka Poihipi, 11. Leroy Carter, 10. Josh Jacomb, 9. Xavier Roe, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 7. Jahrome Brown, 6. Simon Parker, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Josh Lord, 3. George Dyer, 2. Bradley Slater, 1. Aidan Ross
Chiefs Replacements:
16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Gideon Wrampling
Crusaders Starting XV:
15. Will Jordan, 14. Chay Fihaki, 13. Levi Aumua, 12. David Havili (c), 11. Sevu Reece, 10. Taha Kemara, 9. Kyle Preston, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 6. Cullen Grace, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 4. Scott Barrett, 3. Fletcher Newell, 2. Ioane Moananu, 1. Tamaiti Williams
Crusaders Replacements:
16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. George Bower, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. James O’Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Other Key Matches
On Saturday, the Blues, who suffered a defeat to the Chiefs in Round 1, will travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders. In a tactical shift, the Highlanders have opted for a 6-2 bench split, a strategy that has been associated with South Africa’s Springboks. This move has often been criticized by New Zealand rugby figures due to its forward-heavy approach. Despite this, the Highlanders have decided to implement it, diverging from the traditional 5-3 bench setup preferred by New Zealand teams.
Saturday Matches
Queensland Reds vs. Moana Pasifika
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Reds Starting XV:
15. Jock Campbell, 14. Tim Ryan, 13. Josh Flook, 12. Hunter Paisami, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 10. Tom Lynagh, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 7. Fraser McReight, 6. Seru Uru, 5. Ryan Smith, 4. Josh Canham, 3. Massimo De Lutiis, 2. Richie Asiata, 1. Sef Fa’agase
Reds Replacements:
16. Matt Faessler, 17. George Blake, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Joe Brial, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Lachie Anderson
Moana Pasifika Starting XV:
15. William Havili, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 7. Sione Havili Talitui, 6. Miracle Faillagi, 5. Allan Craig, 4. Samuel Slade, 3. Feteleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 1. James Lay
Moana Pasifika Replacements:
16. Sama Malolo, 17. Tito Tuipulotu, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Danny Toala, 23. Losi Filipo
Hurricanes vs. Fijian Drua
McLean Park, Napier
Hurricanes Starting XV:
15. Callum Harkin, 14. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11. Kini Naholo, 10. Harry Godfrey, 9. Cameron Roigard, 8. Brayden Iose, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc), 6. Brad Shields (cc), 5. Hugo Plummer, 4. Caleb Delany, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Jacob Devery, 1. Xavier Numia
Hurricanes Replacements:
16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Ngatungane Punivai
Fijian Drua Starting XV:
15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Junior Ratuva, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 11. Tanilea Rakuro, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9. Frank Lomani (c), 8. Elia Canakaivata, 7. Motikiai Murray, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 3. Mesake Doge, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 1. Emosi Tuqiri
Fijian Drua Replacements:
16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Meli Tuni, 19. Leona Rotuisolia, 20. Kitione Salawa, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Caleb Muntz, 23. Iosefo Masi
Highlanders vs. Blues
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Blues Starting XV:
15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Mark Tele’a, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. AJ Lam, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Harry Plummer, 9. Finlay Christie, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 6. Cameron Suafoa, 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3. Marcel Renata, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Finally, the Brumbies will face the Western Force in Canberra to wrap up the weekend’s fixtures. The action promises another exciting round of rugby, with tactical selections and key players poised to make an impact.