Super Rugby Pacific Round 14 Preview

The Super Rugby Pacific season is starting to come to an end as teams build for the finals in Round 14.

The Chiefs-Hurricanes open the round with a blockbuster encounter in Hamilton, followed by the ACT Brumbies face the Melbourne Rebels.

Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.

The NSW Waratahs head to Auckland to take on Moana Pasifika as the Crusaders look to keep their finals dreams alive against the Blues.

The Queensland Reds host the Western Force in Brisbane, followed by a rare Sunday match as the Highlanders take on the Fijian Drua.

Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round 14, presented by Bet365

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: Tyrone Thompson, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi

• The Chiefs have named an unchanged starting side to face the Hurricanes
• Sione Ahio comes onto the bench after Reuben O’Neill was cited for a dangerous tackle
• Emoni Narawa remains on the wing, signing a two year extension early in the week

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love

RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi

• Jordie Barrett captains the side with no Brad Shields.
• Shields’ absence provides the opportunity for Devan Flanders to start in his 50th
• TJ Perenara and Brett Cameron return to the starting side as the ‘Canes once again shuffle their backline

• The Hurricanes will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Chiefs for the first time since August 2020.
• The Chiefs have won their last four Super Rugby Pacific matches by an average margin of 26 points per game
• The Chiefs have won 15 of their last 16 Super Rugby Pacific matches at FMG Stadium Waikato 

Etene Nanai Seturo v Josh Moorby

The two flyers will be looking to show off their talents with higher honours on the line.

Nanai Seturo started the season on fire and has been one of their big weapons in the back three.

As for Moorby, he’s crossed in back-to-back games and a third would go a long way towards securing victory on the day for the Hurricanes.

Chiefs by 3

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford

• Billy Pollard returns from a knee injury at hooker
• Tom Hooper starts at lock, with Nick Frost remaining in the back-row
• Corey Toole has overcome his injury to line up on the wing

REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Rob Leota (c), Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Glen Vaihu, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Andrew Kellaway

RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Luke Callan, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, James Tuttle, Mason Gordon

• Isaac Kailea and Darby Lancaster return after they were late withdrawals from the Chiefs defeat
• Rob Leota skippers the side as he replaces Josh Kemeny (concussion)
• Andrew Kellaway and Taniela Tupou have overcome their respective head knocks to be fit 

• The ACT Brumbies have won eight of their last nine matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Melbourne Rebels
• The Melbourne Rebels have lost their last four Super Rugby Pacific matches by an average margin of 18.3 points per game
• The ACT Brumbies have gone on to score a try from 45% of their line breaks in Super Rugby Pacific this year, the best rate of any team.

Tom Wright v Andrew Kellaway

The two fullbacks will battle it out with Wallabies honours potentially on the line.

Wright was Player of the Match in the Brumbies’ crucial win over the Crusaders and will be out to make a similar impact.

He comes up against a returning Kellaway, with the Rebel in career best form since his return from the World Cup

Brumbies by 14

PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Aisea Halo, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Fine Inisi, Danny Toala

RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Siaosi Nginingini, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Taefu

• Aisea Halo starts at scrum half for Jonathan Taumateine
• Gordon hooker Tomasi Maka comes onto the bench to face his home state
• Siaosi Nginingini and Henry Taefu join Maka on the bench 

WARATAHS (1-15): Harry Lloyd, Jay Fonokalafi, Brad Amituanai, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase

RESERVES: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Michael Scott, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Vuate Karawalevu

• Tane Edmed, Langi Gleeson, Izaia Perese and Hugh Sinclair come into the starting side
• Harry Lloyd debuts for the club after joining on a short term deal
• Ned Hanigan returns from injury to replace Lachlan Swinton

• The NSW Waratahs have won only one of their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific matches, scoring seven or less points on their last three first halves
• Moana Pasifika will be aiming for back-to-back wins against Australian teams for the first time in the history of the competition.
• The NSW Waratahs have lost their last six Super Rugby Pacific matches in New Zealand and have conceded 44.8 points per game across their last four games in the country

Jake Gordon v Aisea Halo

Both halves have had two separate journeys to Super Rugby but are equally as important to their club’s chances on Saturday.

Gordon has been one of the Waratahs’ best in 2024, looking to press his claims for a Wallabies call-up.

As for Halo, this is just his second start at Super Rugby level, largely used off the bench for Moana Pasifika and Tonga, and can make a major statement if he gets the better of Gordon and the Waratahs.

Waratahs by 5

CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taha Kemara, Dallas McLeod

• Levi Aumua returns in the centres after overcoming a niggle
• Ethan Blackadder lines up in the back-row for the first time since Round 10.
• Returning Tamaiti Williams comes onto the bench in the front-row reserves.

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Stephen Perofeta

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu'a, PJ Sheck, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Sam Nock, Cole Forber, Caleb Tangitau

• Stephen Perofeta and Mark Tele’a start in the back three
• Angus Ta’avao has been elevated into the starting side
• Patrick Tuipulotu returns to take the captaincy 

• The Blues will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Crusaders in Super Rugby for the first time since February 2004.
• The Blues have won their last nine Super Rugby Pacific matches on the bounce, conceding just 13.2 points per game across that span
• The Crusaders will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats at Apollo Projects Stadium in Super Rugby for the first time since April 2015

Fletcher Newell v Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Newell’s influence on the set-piece game was a big reason for the Crusaders’ competitiveness against the Brumbies and will face a big test against Tu’ungafasi.

The young All Black is one of the strongest in the competition and delivered a powerhouse performance going up opposite Wallabies legend James Slipper in Canberra.

He faces a similar task against Tu’ungafasi, who has been one of the best loose heads in Super Rugby.

Blues by 10

REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell

RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa'agase, Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Taj Annan

• It’s a new look tight five as Matt Faessler returns to the side, joined in the front-row by Alex Hodgman and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen
• Tim Ryan and Mac Grealy form a new look wing partnership 
• Tom Lynagh slots back into the halves

FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Ronan Leahy, 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, Chase Tiatia

• Ronan Leahy is the lone change, with Chase Tiatia going back to the bench

• The Force will be aiming to defeat the Reds twice in a single season for just the third time in Super Rugby history (2017 and 2014).
• The Queensland Reds have won their last four matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Western Force in Queensland by an average margin of 20 points per game
• The Western Force have lost their last 14 Super Rugby Pacific matches away from HBF Park by an average margin of 22.4 points per game

Hamish Stewart v Hunter Paisami

Both inside centres are the corner pieces of their respective backlines, with Stewart set to go up against his old side.

Stewart can sometimes fly under the radar outside Ben Donaldson but is the key behind their defensive turnaround in 2024.

As for Paisami, his development this season has been a major reason behind the Reds’ revival and will play a big role in their finals push.

Reds by 11

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Ajay Falegaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Jake Te Hiwi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop

• Billy Harmon makes a timely return at number eight, taking the co-captaincy along with Ethan de Groot
• Ajay Falegaga starts at flyhalf with no Cameron Millar
• Jona Nareki and Sam Gilbert start in the backline, with Nareki returning from injury

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, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro

• Kemu Valetini starts at inside centre in the lone change to their stating side
• Leone Rotuisolia returns to the reserves in the forwards
• Caleb Muntz makes his return from injury, which he suffered before the World Cup

• The Highlanders have won each of the previous two meetings, conceding exactly 24 points on the day in each of those two games.
• Three of the Fijian Drua’s last four Super Rugby Pacific matches have been decided by margins no greater than nine points on the day
• The Fijian Drua have lost their last 14 Super Rugby Pacific matches outside Fiji by an average margin of 21.4 points per game

Kemu Valetini v Sam Gilbert

The two inside centres come in with pressure on their shoulders in a must-win game for both sides.

Valetini and Gilbert possess two of the sharpest boots in the game, which will be crucial in what is expected to be a thriller.

Highlanders by 16