Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific has significant finals implications as teams prepare for a thrilling run home.
It starts in Wellington with the Hurricanes hosting Moana Pasifika before the Rebels take on the Chiefs in Melbourne.
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The Reds face a tough game in Fiji against the Drua, followed by the Brumbies out to end their drought against the Crusaders.
The Blues take on the Highlanders in Auckland, followed by the Western Force and NSW Waratahs battle it out to stay in finals contention.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round 13, presented by Bet365
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Justin Sangster, Ben Grant, Brad Shields (c), Du'Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Richard Judd, Aidan Morgan, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
- Raymond Tuputupu and Siale Lauaki get their maiden starts in the front row
- Richard Judd and Aidan Morgan start in the halves as part of a brand new backline
- James O’Reilly returns from injury via the bench
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Anzelo Tuitavuki
- Samiuela Moli, Tom Savage and Sione Mafileo start in the tight five
- Sione Havili Talitui returns to captaincy duties this week as openside flanker.
- Jonathan Taumateine earns his first start at halfback for 2024, with William Havili moving to flyhalf
- Moana Pasifika have conceded 61 points per game across their last three defeats to the Hurricanes.
- The Hurricanes have won their last six Super Rugby Pacific matches at Sky Stadium by an average margin of 17.5 points per game
- The Hurricanes are one of just three teams to have scored 5+ tries per game in this season’s Super Rugby Pacific (5.2, also Chiefs and Blues), while Moana Pasifika are the only team to have conceded 5+ tries per game in the league this term (5.3).
Peter Umaga-Jensen v Julian Savea
Savea gets the chance to place his old side and hunt down the record for most tries in Super Rugby history with TJ Perenara sitting out.
The two ex-teammates have traded top spot, with the legend facing off against one-time All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen.
Umaga-Jensen has been in and out of the side in 2024 and needs a quality night to secure his spot in the 23 for the finals
Hurricanes by 20
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa'amausili, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Glen Vaihu
- Jake Strachan replaces Andrew Kellaway (concussion) at fullback
- Sam Talakai captains the side with Taniela Tupou ruled out
- Brad Wilkin returns after overcoming a serious hamstring injury
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
- Shaun Stevenson starts at fullback after recovering from his own hamstring injury
- He is joined in the starting side by Damian McKenzie, who comes in at flyhalf
- Aidan Ross returns to the starting front-row with Saminsoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer
- The Chiefs have won nine of their previous 10 matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Melbourne Rebels
- The Chiefs have won each of their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches by an average margin of 33.7 points, conceding just seven points in each of their last two
- The Melbourne Rebels (10.7) and the Chiefs (10.8) are two of just three teams to have averaged 10+ attacking 22m entries per game in this season’s Super Rugby Pacific
Carter Gordon v Damian McKenzie
This could be an early preview of the Bledisloe as two of the form halves look to steer their team home.
Gordon needs to step up for the Rebels if they wish to secure their spot in the finals.
As for McKenzie, he conformably leads the top point scoring table and will be looking to ensure a home quarter-final.
Chiefs by 6
DRUA (1-15): Jone Koroiduadua, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Waqa Nalaga, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
- Jone Koroiduadua starts in the front row, with hooker Tevita Ikanivere captaining the side
- Waqa Nalaga comes into the side at inside centre
- Epeli Momo swaps with Taniela Rakuro to start on the wing.
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Cormac Daly, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey, Hunter Paisami, Taj Annan, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: George Blake, Sef Fa'agase, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Tim Ryan
- Floyd Aubrey and Suli Vunivalu form a new look wing partnership
- John Bryant replaces Harry Wilson, with the number eight ruled out for the rest of the season with an arm injury
- Josh Nasser gets his maiden start of the season at hooker
- The Fijian Drua have won seven of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches in Fiji
- The Queensland Reds will be aiming for back-to-back wins away from Suncorp Stadium in Super Rugby Pacific for the first time since March 2022
- Fijian Drua have won just one of their last five Super Rugby Pacific matches
Epeli Momo v Suliasi Vunivalu
Vunivalu needs a strong performance to get himself back towards the top of the Reds depth chart.
The Wallaby has found himself limited for opportunities after the rise of Tim Ryan, with powerhouse winger Momo providing the perfect chance to impress.
Likewise, Momo is battling Taniela Rakuro for a starting spot as the Drua search for a crucial victory.
Reds by 3
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell
- Nick Frost starts at blindside flanker, with Rob Valetini slotting back to number eight
- Noah Lolesio returns to the starting side at flyhalf
- James Slipper has also overcome his injury to start in the front row
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Jone Rova, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
- Joe Moody joins the starting side with no Fletcher Newell
- Fergus Burke makes his first start of the year after an ACL injury
- Antonio Shalfoon and Jone Rova get their maiden starts
- The Crusaders have won their last 12 matches in Super Rugby competitions against the ACT Brumbies by an average margin of 16.3 points per game
- The ACT Brumbies have won eight of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific matches, including each of their last three by margins of exactly eight points each
- The ACT Brumbies will be aiming for back-to-back wins against New Zealand opposition in Super Rugby Pacific for the first time since May 2022
Noah Lolesio v Fergus Burke
Burke is a huge inclusion for the Crusaders, forced to watch on the sidelines as the defending champions struggled.
The flyhalf has been quality in the shadow of Richie Mo’unga and finally has the chance to start consistently at flyhalf.
He faces another young half in Lolesio, primed for a big outing after missing the win over the Waratahs.
Brumbies by 6
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i (c), Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Kade Banks
- Akira Ioane moves to number eight in place of Hoskins Sotutu , with Adrian Choat starting at flanker
- Corey Evans comes in at centre, pushing AJ Lam to the wing with no Mark Tele’a
- Stephen Perofeta returns from injury via the bench
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma'u, Will Tucker, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
- The Highlanders have made no changes to their 23 from their win over the Crusaders
- The Blues have won 10 of their last 11 matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Highlanders (L1), including their last seven in a row
- The Blues have won 10 of their 11 Super Rugby Pacific matches this season (L1) including each of their last eight by an average margin of 23.1 points
- The Highlanders are the only team to have won 6+ turnovers per game in this season’s Super Rugby Pacific
Akira Ioane v Nikora Broughton
Ioane will need to step up with Hoskins Sotutu ruled out if the Blues want to stay on top.
The backrower has shown flashes of his talent but needs to dominate his Highlanders counterpart to win the physical battle.
Broughton has had a breakout season with Hugh Renton struggling with injury, needing to step up his game to match it with the All Black
Blues by 12
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Henry O’Donnell
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa comes onto the bench for Henry Robertson
- Harry Hoopert starts after his injury return, in his 50th Super Rugby game
- Ben Donaldson will also bring up his half century against his old side
WARATAHS (1-15): Lewis Ponini, Jay Fonokalafi, Enrique Pieretto, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, George Thorton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese
- Pumas prop Enrique Pieretto starts after being parachuted into the squad on injury cover
- George Thornton and Brad Amituanai comes onto the bench as front-row reserves
- Izaia Perese is added to the bench after his late withdrawal
- The NSW Waratahs have won their last three matches in Super Rugby Pacific against the Western Force, with a fourth equalling their largest winning streak against the side
- The Western Force will be aiming for back-to-back wins against Australian teams in Super Rugby for the first time since April 2021
- The Waratahs have conceded 40+ points in five of their six defeats away from home
Harry Hoopert v Enrique Pieretto
Pieretto has been thrown straight into the deep end with the Waratahs’ season on the line.
The Pumas prop has been brought in to strengthen an injury hit Waratahs front-row, taking on a Force pack that is slowly getting back to full strength
Hoopert made an emotional return last week and will look to dominate after shaking off the rust
Force by 3
