Round Eight of Super Rugby Pacific offers exciting match-ups as teams build form before the finals.
It opens in Whangarei as the Queensland Reds face Moana Pasifika, followed by the NSW Waratahs hosting the Crusaders.
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The Hurricanes and Chiefs battle it out for top spot with the Blues on a bye whilst the Melbourne Rebels hunt for their first Kiwi scalp of the season against the Highlanders.
ACT Brumbies, Western Force and Fijian Drua join the Blues on the bye.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round eight, presented by Bet365
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Irie Papuni, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Viliami Fine, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Miracle Faiilagi, Melani Matavao, Christina Lealiifano, Nigel Ah Wong
- Tana Umaga has named a brand new front-row of Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli and Sione Mafileo
- Ereatara Enari returns to the starting side, joined in the halves by William Havili
- Henry Taefu starts in the centres alongside Julian Savea
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suli Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Alex Hodgman, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips comes into the side at flyhalf for Tom Lynagh
- Suliasi Vunivalu returns to the wing, partnering Jordan Petaia and Jock Campbell in the back three
- Alex Hodgman comes onto the bench, making his return from injury
- The Reds have won each of their two matches against Moana Pasifika by a margin of 12 points
- Moana Pasifika have lost their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches, conceding 60+ points on the day in two of those three defeats
- The Queensland Reds have won only one of their last six Super Rugby Pacific matches away from Suncorp Stadium
Ryan Smith v Allan Craig
Two different milestone games for a pair of locks that have flown under the radar in 2024.
Smith has been the glue of the Reds' dominant set-piece game and his work around the ruck is essential, looking to celebrate his 50th in style.
As for Craig, he returns to Whangarei, where he went to school, looking to inspire Moana Pasifika after their mid-season struggles.
Reds by 15
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Triston Reilly, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Theo Fourie, Lewis Ponini, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Joey Walton
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer fills the void left by Angus Bell's season ending injury at loosehead prop
- Ned Hanigan and Langi Gleeson return from injury in the forwards
- Triston Reilly replaces Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wing
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie (c), Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Riley Hohepa, Johnny McNicholl, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardiner, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
- Ethan Blackadder returns from injury, starting at blindside flanker
- Johnny McNicholl retains his spot on the wing after his player-of-the-match performance during their maiden win of the season
- Brodie McAlister and Christian Lio-Willie have been added to the bench
- The NSW Waratahs will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Crusaders in Super Rugby for only the third time in the history of the competition
- The Crusaders are looking to avoid back-to-back defeats against Australian opposition in Super Rugby for the first time since February 2015.
- The NSW Waratahs have stolen 15 opposition lineouts in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any team.
Lachlan Swinton v Ethan Blackadder
All eyes will be on All Black Blackadder as he returns from injury for the Crusaders.
The backrower is a game changer for the Crusaders and it comes at the perfect time for the defending champions to make a run at the top eight.
As for Swinton, his physicality and aggression are crucial towards the Waratahs' hopes of replicating their round two upset.
Crusaders by 6
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Richard Judd, Peter Umaga-Jensen
- TJ Perenara starts after Cam Roigard's season-ending injury
- Devan Flanders and Richard Judd moves onto the bench
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
- Reuben O'Neill and Tupou Vaa'i come into the starting side in the tight five
- Shaun Stevenson returns at fullback, pushing Etene Nanai Seturo back to the wing
- Luke Jacobson re-gains the captaincy as he returns following missing the thumping win over Moana Pasifika
- The Chiefs have won their last five matches against the Hurricanes
- The Hurricanes have won all six of their matches in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with a seventh win equalling their best start to a season ever
- The Chiefs have kept the opposition scoreless in the first halves in each of their last two wins
Shaun Stevenson v Ruben Love
A refreshed Shaun Stevenson is a dangerous sight for the Hurricanes as they look to keep their unbeaten start going.
Stevenson is critical to the Chiefs' hopes in 2024 and has backed up his breakout season from 2023
He'll come up against Love and the Hurricanes, with the fullback able to press his All Blacks claims with a strong night against one of the best clubs in Super Rugby
Chiefs by 2
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachlan Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste
- Andrew Kellaway recovers from cracked ribs to start at fullback
- Josh Kemeny slots into the back-row, with Rob Leota still a fortnight away
- Lachlan Anderson comes onto the wing after overcoming a concussion
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Ajay Faleafaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Ricky Jackson, Ethan de Groot, Rohan Wingham, Hugo Plummer, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop
- Daniel Lienert-Brown starts at loosehead, moving Ethan de Groot to the reserves
- Ajay Faleafaga gets the start at flyhalf
- Hugo Plummer and Will Stodart will make their debuts from the reserves
- The Rebels are looking to win three consecutive matches for the first time since August 2020.
- The Melbourne Rebels have won only one of their last 16 matches in Super Rugby competitions against New Zealand teams, ironically against the Highlanders in 2022
- The Highlanders have made seven passes intercepted by their opposition in 2024
Jona Nareki v Lachlan Anderson
Nareki will be out to break his try-scoring drought as the Highlanders held to Melbourne desperate for victory.
The explosive winger has been quiet for his standards in 2024, facing a tough task of shutting down former Sevens star Anderson.
Anderson returns after recovering from a concussion, with the likes of Glen Vaihu breathing down his neck.
