Super Rugby Pacific 2023 Teams: All the team news for Round 1

Thu, Feb 23, 2023, 6:57 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Sean Maloney and Morgan Turinui are joined by a cast of thousands including Stephen Larkham & Allan Ala'alatoa, Rob Leota & Kevin Foote, Jake Gordon & Darren Coleman, Tate McDermott & Phil Blake, Tom Robertson & Simon Cron.

The 2023 Super Rugby season is finally here as the teams roll in for round one.

The season will open with the Crusaders facing the Chiefs in Christchurch as they begin their title defence.

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This will be followed by the NSW Waratahs returning to Allianz Stadium to face the ACT Brumbies in Stephen Larkham's first game back in charge.

Check out all the details for the Super Rugby Pacific teams for round 1 as they drop

NOTE: ALL TEAMS WILL BE CONFIRMED AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE RESPECTIVE GAMES.

Friday 24 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Crusaders v Chiefs at OrangeTheory Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Mitchell Dunshea, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, David Havili

RESERVES: Brodie Mcalister, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Macca Springer

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nani-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson

RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Pohipi

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

Friday 24 February 7:35 pm AEDT – NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson

RESERVES: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo

BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, David Conway

Saturday 25 February 2:35 pm AEDT – Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

PASIFIKA (1-15): Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Samiuela Moli, Sosefo (Joe) ‘Apiktoa, Samuel Slade, Mahonri Ngakuru, Michael Curry, Solomone Funaki, Jonah Mau’u, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano (c), Neria Foma’i, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili

RESERVES: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Mike McKee, Alamanda Motuga, Manu Paea, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi

DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Jone Koroiduadua, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Te Ahiwararu Cirikidaveta, Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Jone Tiko, Samuela Tawake, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referee: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon

Saturday 25 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Highlanders v Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Rhys Marshall, Jermaine Ainsley, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert

RESERVES: Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Will Tucker, Sean Withy, Kemara-Hauiti Parapara, Freddie Burns, Connor Garden-Bachop,

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Patrick Tuipulotu, Cameron Suafoa, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee: Dan Waenga, Michael Winter

Saturday 25 February 7:35 pm AEDT – Queensland Reds v Hurricanes at QLD Country Bank Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and Channel Nine

REDS (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Lopeti Faifua, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia

RESERVES: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa'agase, Peni Ravai, Jake Upfield, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea (c), Cameron Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby 

RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referee: Matt Kellahan, Amber McLachlan

Saturday 25 February 10:00 pm AEDT – Western Force v Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells (c), Ian Prior, Bryce Hegarty, Zach Kibirige, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia

RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Warner, Siosifa Amone, TBC, Jackson Pugh, Issak Fines Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, Toni Pulu

REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Tuaina Taii Tualima , Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c),Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge (VC), Lachlan Anderson, Nick Jooste 

RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa’amausili, Trevor Hosea, Tamati Ioane, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley  

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referee: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski

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