Round Five of Super Rugby Pacific is stacked with fierce match-ups as teams start to find their form.
The Hurricanes find themselves at the top of the competition and host the Melbourne Rebels to begin the round before the ACT Brumbies face Moana Pasifika.
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The Blues and Crusaders headline an electric slate of Saturday games that includes the Waratahs' maiden trip to Fiji and the Western Force hosting the Queensland Reds.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round five, presented by Bet365
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, James O'Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Ngane Punivai, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Josh Moorby
- Jordie Barrett returns after his suspension, slotting into the centres
- Captain Brad Shields makes his first appearance of 2024 after overcoming a foot injury
- TJ Perenara and Aidan Morgan headline a new look backline
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Lukas Ripley, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Mason Gordon, Nick Jooste
- Isaac Kailea and Sam Talakai comes into the starting side in the front row
- Lukas Ripley starts at outside centre, with Filipo Daugunu still out of the squad
- Mason Gordon is set to make his debut from the bench
- The Hurricanes have won each of their 10 meetings against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby since losing 42-25 in their inaugural clash in 2011
- The Hurricanes have won their first four games of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, their best start to a single year in Super Rugby since winning their first seven in a row in 2015
- The Melbourne Rebels will be looking to win back-to-back Super Rugby games away from AAMI Park for the first time since their final game of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season
Brad Shields v Tuaina Taii Tualima
Shields will be hungry to make a big statement in his debut game as captain fo the Hurricanes.
The flanker has missed the start of the year and understands the need to perform with the likes of Peter Lakai and TK Howden waiting in the wings.
Likewise, Tualima will be desperate to perform after a rare start for the 26-year-old with no Josh Kemeny.
Hurricanes by 4
BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain (c), Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith
- Harry Vella makes his SRP debut as he starts at loosehead head prop
- Darcy Swain captains the side with James Slipper and Ryan Lonergan on the bench
- Hudson Creighton and Ollie Sapsford join the backline after injuries to Len Ikitau and Andy Muirhead (both knee)
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Ola Tauelangi, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau, D'Angelo Leuila, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Fine Inisi
- Samiuela Moli starts at hooker after impressing off the bench
- D'Angelo Leuila and Pepesana Patafilo form the new-look centres partnership
- Michael Curry returns via the bench for his first appearance since playing for Samoa in the World Cup
- The ACT Brumbies have won nine of their last 10 games as the home team on the day
- Moana Pasifika still looking for back-to-back wins after winning three of their last five matches
- The ACT Brumbies have conceded 1.7 points per opposition entry into their 22m zone this Super Rugby Pacific season, fewer than any other team
Kyren Taumoefolau v Ollie Sapsford
Taumoefolau is one of the brightest stars in Super Rugby Pacific, blitzing the Force with a great try.
It leaves Sapsford with the difficult prospect of shutting him down as he moves from the centre.
Sapsford is conformable on the wing, however, needs to be at his defensive best to shut down the Tongan sensation
Brumbies by 10
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Epeli Momo
- Tevita Ikanivere returns at hooker for the hosts, joined in the front row by Message Doge
- Taniela Rakuro starts on the wing for the first time in 2024
- Epeli Momo returns off the bench after missing the defeat to the Chiefs
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Triston Reilly
- Max Jorgensen returns at fullback following his resting for a hip injury
- Angus Bell comes into the starting side in the pack after being used off the bench
- Mahe Vailanu recovers from a concussion to start in the front row
- The NSW Waratahs have won all four of their previous games against the Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific, conceding no more than 18 points in a game
- The Fijian Drua have won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games at Churchill Park including their last two in a row
- The NSW Waratahs have conceded 40+ points in five of their last seven games away from home in Super Rugby Pacific
Tevita Ikanivere v Mahe Vailanu
Both hookers return to the side and will prove critical to their chances in the heat.
The backlines are stacked with talent so it will likely come down to which team’s set piece executes the best on the day.
Ikanivere continues to get better for the Drua whilst Vailanu has taken his chance to shine with no Dave Porecki, providing a crucial threat over the ball
Waratahs by 2
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Emoni Narawa
- Jared Proffit returns from his suspension in the front row, joined by Bradley Slater
- Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i form a new look second-row partnership
- Quinn Tupaea is elevated into the starting side in the centre
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ayden Johnstone, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c) Tom Sanders, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
- Ayden Johnstone starts in the front following a concussion to Ethan de Groot
- Pari Pari Parkinson starts at lock after a wrist injury to Max Hicks
- Rhys Patchell and Jona Nareki return to the backline after missing the defeat to the Brumbies
- The Chiefs have won their last four straight games against the Highlanders after not winning their previous five
- Six of the Highlanders last seven Super Rugby Pacific games have been decided by a margin of eight points or fewer
- The Highlanders haven’t won a Super Rugby Pacific game against a New Zealand team since Round 8 of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa
Damian McKenzie v Rhys Patchell
The two tens will dictate how this game is played, with the Highlanders’ hopes resting on how they handle McKenzie.
McKenzie has established himself as the form half of the competition and knows he can wrap up the All Blacks #10 jersey with a few more strong performances.
However, Patchell knows a great game against McKenzie proves his class as the Welsh playmaker rises as one of the better signings of 2024.
Chiefs by 7
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
- Patrick Tuipulotu captains the side on his return from a broken jaw
- AJ Lam starts at outside centre with Rieko Ioane ruled out after a concussion
- Ricky Riccitelli is elevated into the starting side at hooker, joined by Angus Ta’avao
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Joe Moody, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
- Jamie Hannah starts in the second row for his debut start
- Willi Heinz comes into the halves alongside Riley Hohepa
- Joe Moody add experience to the bench, joined by Seb Calder
- The Crusaders have won their last four consecutive Super Rugby Pacific games against the Blues, holding them to seven points or fewer in two of those four fixtures
- The Blues have won 18 of their last 20 matches in Super Rugby competitions at Eden Park
- The Crusaders have lost their last four consecutive Super Rugby Pacific games, their longest losing streak in the history of Super Rugby competitions and the longest losing run to start a season of any defending champion in competition history.
Finlay Christie v Willi Heinz
Christie has been the key behind the Blues’ success in 2024, back at his All Black best.
He needs to set the pace early to avoid an upset against veteran half Willi Heinz and old rivals Crusaders, out for their first win of the year.
Heinz has been preferred the last two weeks, but now is the time to deliver if he wants to stay in the role given their lack of success
Blues by 8
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
- Nic White returns after missing last week due to knee swelling
- Sam Spink has overcome a calf injury to be fit after missing the past fortnight
- Max Burey and Issak Fines Leleiwasa move to the bench, with Ben Funnell added to the bench
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan
- Tom Lynagh returns to the starting side, swapping with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
- Hunter Paisami fills the void left by Isaac Henry after his season ending knee injury
- Taj Annan slots onto the bench for Jordan Petaia
- The Queensland Reds have won six of their last seven Super Rugby Pacific games against the Western Force
- The Western Force are on a six-game losing streak in the Super Rugby Pacific, scoring 20+ points in a game only once in that term
- The Queensland Reds have conceded 7.5 penalties per game this Super Rugby Pacific season, the fewest of any team in the competition whilst the Western Force (14.5 per game) have conceded more than any other team in the campaign.
Tom Horton v Matt Faessler
Two hookers with a knack of finding the try-line.
Horton’s explosiveness has been a great weapon of his game since returning from England and he needs to spark the Force pack after a disappointing defeat.
As for Faessler, he has filled the ‘Folau Fainga’a’ mould with his try-scoring ability, with the Reds’ rolling maul a key piece of their attacking revival.
Reds by 4
