The Easter long weekend presents some exciting match-ups as we head into Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Chiefs will take on a desperate Crusaders side in Christchurch before the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels battle it out for a crucial win in Sydney.
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The Western Force looks to build off last week's win when they face the Drua in Fiji whilst Moana Pasifika and the Blues face off in the battle of the 09.
The Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies finish the round with a blockbuster Saturday game, adding another chapter to their rivalry.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round six, presented by Bet365
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Riley Hohepa, Johnny McNicholl, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: James Mullen, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardiner, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
- Mitch Drummond comes in at scrum half and captains the side.
- Johnny McNicholl starts on the wing after making his return last week via the bench
- Dallas McLeod starts at inside centre with no David Havili (calf)
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
- Damian McKenzie has been rested, allowing for Josh Jacomb to start at flyhalf
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi shifts to loose forward after spending time at lock
- Xavier Roe returns at scrum half, with Cortez Ratima returning to the bench
- The Chiefs have won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games against the Crusaders
- The Chiefs are looking to avoid back-to-back away defeats in the competition for the first time since their final two games in the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign
- The Chiefs have gained 4.6 metres per carry this Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any team in the campaign; the Crusaders (3.5 metres per carry) are ranked last in this category.
Riley Hohepa v Josh Jacomb
Two halves looking to make an impact in the shadows of All Black legends
Hohepa has had to wait a long time to get his shot at a consistent starting role but has been thrust into the spotlight of a struggling Crusaders side.
As for Jacomb, he gets his start to shine as the Chiefs rest Damian McKenzie, with the pair crucial to their side’s chances.
Chiefs by 8
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, 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, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Lalakai Foketi
- Lalakai Foketi and Will Harrison return from significant injury layoffs
- Tom Ross and Lachlan Swinton start in the pack after strong shifts off the bench
- Hugh Sinclair joins Jed Holloway in the second row
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste
- Sevens star Darby Lancaster will make his debut on the wing
- Filipo Daugunu returns after missing the past fortnight for personal reasons
- Rob Leota and Sam Talakai start in their 50th games for the Rebels
- The NSW Waratahs will be looking to log back-to-back wins against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby for the first time since May 2019
- The NSW Waratahs have won 10 of their 14 games on home turf against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby
- The Melbourne Rebels (93% - 66/71) and NSW Waratahs (92% - 67/73) have the best success rates on defensive 22m exits of any teams in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Angus Bell v Sam Talakai
It’s a battle of old v young bull as the two props hold the key towards the set-piece battle.
Bell has been at his Wallaby best for the Waratahs, picking up from where he left at the World Cup.
Whilst the initial thoughts would’ve been Bell facing good mate Taniela Tupou, Sam Talakai has been one of the most underrated players in Australian Rugby for the past 12 months and presents a serious challenge for the young prop.
Waratahs by 13
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro
- Kitione Salawa starts in his first game for 2024, joined in the back row by Elia Canakaivata
- Epeli Momo returns to the starting side on the wing
- Waqa Nalaga debuts off the bench
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Lopeti Faifua, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
- Former Hurricane Reed Prinsep makes his starting debut for the club
- Lopeti Faifua comes into the starting side after captain Jeremy Williams was ruled out with a calf injury
- New recruit Sam Carter has been rushed onto the bench
- The Fijian Drua have won their last three straight Super Rugby Pacific games at Churchill Park after winning only one of their first three games at the venue
- The Western Force have lost their last 10 consecutive games away from home in Super Rugby Pacific, scoring 20+ points in only one of their last six games on the road.
- The Western Force (65) and Fijian Drua (62) have conceded more penalties than any other teams in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season
Sam Spink v Iosefi Masi
Sam Spink is one of the best defensive outside centres in Super Rugby but will get r real test against Iosefo Masi.
Masi bullied the Waratahs in the heat, bouncing off defenders and scoring a hat-trick.
However, Spink was crucial in shutting down a red-hot Reds backline and will have to do a similar Herculean task in Laukota.
Drua by 8
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Donald Brighouse, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau
- Sama Malolo has been named at hooker and Tom Savage returns to lock.
- Fine Inisi and Julian Savea both come into the backline
- Donald Brighouse is set for his debut off the bench
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Soane Vikena, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Corey Evans
RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
- Corey Evans comes into fullback after Zarn Sullivan’s knee injury
- Anton Segner starts in the backrower alongside Adrian Choat
- Rieko Ioane has brushed off his concussion to start in the centres
- Moana Pasifika have alternated between wins and losses across their last six Super Rugby Pacific games
- The Blues have won their last seven straight Super Rugby Pacific games at Eden Park and have conceded just 27 points across their last three games at the venue
- Moana Pasifika have conceded 12.2 turnovers per game this Super Rugby Pacific season, the fewest of any team in the competition
Rieko Ioane v Pepesana Patafilo
Rieko Ioane comes back into the Blues side looking to prove a point.
Ioane was taken from the field minutes into the win over the Waratahs after a concussion and will be out to make up for lost time.
He comes up against exciting outside back Pepesana Patafilo, who has found a home in the centres after making his name in NPC on the wing.
Blues by 14
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, 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, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Josh Timu
- All Black prop Ethan de Groot returns after missing the defeat to the Chiefs
- Max Hicks has recovered from a wrist injury to start at lock
- Rohan Wingham is in line for his debut off the bench
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, 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, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngane Punivai
- Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose all return to the starting side
- In the backs, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby and Ruben Love comes back after missing the win over the Rebels
- Tyrel Lomax will play his 100th game for the club
Billy Harmon v Peter Lakai
The battle of the backrowers will shape the outcome of this match-up.
Harmon has been one of the Highlanders' best in 2024, stepping up after the absence of Hugh Renton.
Meanwhile, Lakai has filled the gap perfectly left by Ardie Savea and will be pressing his claims to be an All Blacks bolter.
Hurricanes by 12
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), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Zane Nonggorr, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Suliasi Vunivalu
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen starts at tighthead prop
- Jordan Petaia comes back into the starting side on the wing
- Lawson Creighton replaces Harry McLaughlin-Phillips on the bench
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith
- James Slipper and Lachlan Lonergan both start in the front row
- Ryan Lonergan regains the captaincy after coming off the bench against Moana Pasifika
- Hudson Creighton starts in the centres, potentially taking on brother Lawson
- The ACT Brumbies have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific games against the Queensland Reds including a 52-24 win in their most recent clash
- The Queensland Reds have won only three of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific games against teams from Australia
- The Queensland Reds (3.6) and ACT Brumbies (3.1) have scored more points per attacking 22m entry than any other teams in the competition
Tate McDermott v Ryan Lonergan
There are so many positional battles in this game but it starts and finishes with the battle of the nines.
McDermott kept the Reds in the contest against the Force and his attacking influence will shape how the Reds attack this game.
Lonergan will have a similar effect and needs to be quick at the breakdown to ensure fast ball for his backs.
Brumbies by 5
