Super Rugby AU Teams: All the lineups for round eight

Thu, Aug 20, 2020, 12:00 AM
Christy Doran
by Christy Doran

With just three rounds remaining Super Rugby AU has four teams firmly in the race for a top three finish.

There's just four points separating first-placed Brumbies and the fourth-placed Rebels, with the Reds second on 16 points and Waratahs third on 15.

Wallaby Nic White headlines the changes, with the Brumbies halfback to make his return to Super Rugby after a five-year absence from the competition.

Here is all your team news ahead of round eight of Super Rugby AU.

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7:05pm - Western Force vs Queensland Reds at Cbus Super Stadium, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo Subscription here.

Western Force coach Tim Sampson has made minor changes to his side that was beaten by the Waratahs last Friday.

In the back-row, Fergus Lee-Warner gives the Force some extra height at the lineout by shifting from the second-row to blindside flanker for Henry Stowers.

Ollie Atkins has been promoted to the starting side and joins former All Black Jeremy thrush in the second-row.

Up front, former Red Andrew Ready has too been promoted to the starting side and forms a strong front-row alongside Pek Cowan and Kieran Longbottom.

It's an unchanged backline with Sampson hoping that some much needed continuity helps settle the side.

Former captain Heath Tessmann will come off the bench for his first minutes of the season.

LISTEN: The day Ewen McKenzie drove a Waratahs bus throughout Canberra to help his side snap their hoodoo. NSW assistant coach Chris Whitaker joins The Rugby Nation Show

The Reds have, too, only made minor changes.

The injury to Hunter Paisami has seen Brad Thorn bring in Josh Flook at outside centre with Jordan Petaia remaining on the right-wing and Jock Campbell in his preferred position at fullback.

It's an unchanged forward pack with Thorn rewarding his big men for their outstanding defensive effort during last weekend's 19-3 win over the Reds.

On the bench, Josh Nasser acts as the reserve hooker while prop Harry Hoopert returns after hi injury absence. 

Halfback Moses Sorovi comes on to the bench with Scott Malolua dropping out of the squad.

FORCE: (1-15): Pek Cowan, Andrew Ready, Kieran Longbottom, Jeremy Thrush, Ollie Atkins, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior (c), Jono Lance, Brad Lacey, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Byron Ralston, Jack Stachan

Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Tom Sheminant, Johan Bardoul, Ollie Callan, Nick Frisby, Jack McGregor, Henry Taefu

IN: Heath Tessman, Ollie Callan Nick Frisby, Henry Taefu

OUT: Feleti Kaitu'u, Henry Stowers, Nick Jooste, Jacob Abel

REDS (1-15): Jack Straker, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright (c), Fraser McReight,  Harry Wilson,  Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu,Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell, 

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Jack Hardy

IN: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Moses Sorovi, Jack Hardy, 

OUT: Hunter Paisami, Sean Farrell, Jethro Felemi, Scott Malolua

 

7:15pm - Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo Subscription here.

In what shapes as the match of the round, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made a number of changes to his side.

White's return off the bench is the headline name to return.

But right throughout the side, there's key changes.

Solomone Kata will start at outside centre with Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani out which also sees Tom Wright, fresh from re-signing with the Brumbies, coming on to the left-wing.

Junior Wallabies halfback Ryan Lonergan starts for the absent Joe Powell.

Up front, James Slipper starts ahead of test teammate Scott Sio and Connal McInerney makes a rare start with Folau Fainga'a missing.

Veteran locks Cadeyrn Neville and Murray Douglas return which sees Darcy Swain back to the bench and Nick Frost drop out of the squad.

In the back-row, hard-man Lachie McCaffrey starts ahead of Rob Valetini at blindside flanker.

McKellar has opted for a forwards-heavy six, two bench split.

Waratahs coach Rob Penney has kept faith with the majority of his side too following their 28-8 win over the Force, which saw them record back-to-back wins for the first time since March, 2019.

The only change to the backline sees Joey Walton promoted at outside centre with Lalakai Foketi dropping to the bench.

Up front, there's two changes with Ned Hanigan promoted to the starting side to join captain Rob Simmons in the second-row.

Tight-head prop Harry Johnson-Holmes starts ahead of Tetera Faulkner.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c),  Murray Douglas,  Cadeyrn Neville, Lachlan McCaffrey, Will Miller, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Bayley Kuenzle, Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Solomone Kata, Andy Murihead, Tom Banks, 

Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack, Nic White, Len Ikitau

IN: James Slipper, Cadeyrn Neville, Murray Douglas, Lachie McCaffrey, Tom Wright, Lachlan Lonergan,  Nic White

OUT: Folau Fainga'a, Nick Frost, Joe Powell, Tevita Kuridrani, Harrison Lloyd, Ben Hyne, Mack Hansen

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ned Hanigan,  Rob Simmons (c), Lachie Swinton, MIchael Hooper, Jack Dempsey,  Jake Gordon,  Will Harrison, Alex Newsome, Karmichael Hunt, Joey Walton, James Ramm, Jack Maddocks

Reserves: Robbie Abel, Angus Bell, Te Tera Faulkner, Tom Staniforth, Hugh Sinclair, Mitch Short, Ben Donaldson, Lalakai Foketi

IN: 

OUT: 


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