Super Rugby 2015, round 10 teams: Stephen Larkham wields axe at Brumbies
BRUMBIES Test scrumhalf Nic White has been ruled out of their clash with the Rebels with an ankle injury, just a day after being dropped to the bench.
BRUMBIES Test scrumhalf Nic White has been ruled out of their clash with the Rebels with an ankle injury, just a day after being dropped to the bench.
Meanwhile, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams all return for the Crusaders’ clash with the Chiefs and Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the Waratahs’ starting side.
The teams for round ten are rolling in and we’ll have them all here as they come to hand.
CRUSADERS v CHIEFS at AMI Stadium
Friday, 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams have each been named to return to their respecting starting XVs when the Crusaders host the Chiefs in Friday night’s round ten blockbuster.
McCaw and Carter replace Matt Todd and Ryan Crotty respectively, while Wyatt Crocket and Nepo Laulala come in to the front row and Luke romano is named at lock.
The Chiefs have also rung in the changes, with Williams one of fine additions to the side.
The dual-code international is joined by Charlie Ngatai in the centres, while Brad Weber starts at scrumhalf, Tim Nanai-Williams is named on the win and Tom Marshall moves to fullback,
CRUSADERS (1-15): Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Richard McCaw, Kieran Read, Andrew Ellis, Colin Slade, Nemani Nadolo, Daniel Carter, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Israel Dagg
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Mitchell Drummond, Tom Taylor, Nafi Tuitavake
CHIEFS(1-15): Mitchell Graham, Hikawera Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Matt Symons, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Michael Leitch, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, James Lowe, Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tom Marshall
Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Pauliasi Manu, Mike Fitzgerald, Liam Squire, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Bryce Heem
HURRICANES v WARATAHS at Westpac Stadium
Saturday, 2:30pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
ADAM Ashley-Cooper will make his long-awaited return to the Waratahs’ starting side for their clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington.
South African forward Jacques Potgieter will not take his place in the Waratahs XV after suffering back soreness through the week, with Pat McCutcheon earning his first start of 2015 in his place.
Peter Betham is also included on the wing for the grounded Taqele Naiyaravoro.
All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush has been named to make his 100th appearance for the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.
The home side have reshuffled their loose forwards, with the injured Victor Vito replaced by Ardie Savea in the starting XV.
HURRICANES (1-15):Reggie Goodes, Motu Matu’u, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Callum Gibbins, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jame, Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Adam Hill, Frae Wilson, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall.
WARATAHS(1-15): Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Will Skelton, Dave Dennis, Pat McCutcheon, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Israel Folau
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Jacques Potgieter, Mitchell Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Matt Carraro, David Horwitz, Jed Holloway.
HIGHLANDERS v BLUES at Forsyth Barr Stadium
Saturday, 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has attempted to keep his big men fit and firing with three changed to his scrum for Saturday’s match against the Blues.
Liam Coltman, Mark Reddish and Kane Hames all return to the starting forward pack.
Centre Jason Emery is also included in place of Shaun Treeby.
The Blues have also made a host of changes for the fixture, a number of which are injury-enforced.
Angus Ta’avao and Charlie Faumuina swap places, while Akira Ioane is included at blindside flanker for Luke Braid.
Melani Nanai and George moalai are both under injury clouds and are bracketed alongside Tevita Li and Francis Saili respectively.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Kane Hames, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Mark Reddish, Joe Wheeler, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Nasi Manu, Aaron smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Talaapitaga, Tom Franklin, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Richard Buckman.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons, Angus Ta’avo, Josh Bekhuis, Patrick Tuipolotu, Akira Ioane, Brendon O’Connor, Jerome Kaino, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Bowden, Melani Nanai/Tevita Li, George Moala, Francis Saili, Pita Ahki, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock,/Sam Pratley, Charlie Faumuina, Hayden Triggs, Blake Gibson
BRUMBIES v REBELS at GIO Stadium
Saturday, 7:40pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
NIic White’s late withdrawal has handed halfback Joe Powell a bench spot and a potential Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies when they take on the Rebels on Saturday night.
The Brumbies have made six other changes for the match after their shock loss to the Blues last weekend.
Scott Sio, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua and James Dargaville have all been ruled out with injury, while Blake Enever is dropped to the bench.
Michael Dowsett starts at scrumhalf while Rory Arnold returns to the second row. Lausii Taliauli and Nigel Ah Wong are included in the back line and JP smith is named at prop, while Christian Leali’ifano moves to flyhalf.
In contrast, the Rebels are unchanged from their victory over the Reds a fortnight ago and will be refreshed after enjoying a round nine bye.
All Black Tamati Ellison will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
BRUMBIES (1-15): JP Smith, Stephen Moore. Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Nigel Ah Wong, Henry Speight, Lausii Taliauli, Robbie Coleman
Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Blake Enever, Ita Vaea, Jordan Smiler, Nic White, Rodney Iona
REBELS (1-15): Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Sefanaia Naivalu, Mitch Inman, Tamati Ellison, Tom English, Mike Harris.
Reserves: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tim Metcher, Cadeyrn Neville, Colby Fainga’a, Jordy Reid, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty.
FORCE v STORMERS at nib Stadium
Saturday, 9:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
Chris Alcock will make his 50th Super Rugby appearance when he returns to the Western Force starting line up for their clash with the Stormers.
Alcock replaces Kane Koteka who is alsent with concussion.
FORCE (1-15): Pekahou Cowan, Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Sam Wykes, Adam Coleman, Steve Mafi, Chris Alcock, Ben McCalman, Alby Mathewson, Sias Ebersohn, Nick Cummins, Luke Burton, Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins, Ross Haylett-Petty, Angus Cottrell, Ian Prior, Zack Holmes, Marcel Brache
STORMERS (1-15): TBA
SHARKS v BULLS at Growthpoint Kings Park
Sunday, 1:05am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
SHARKS (1-15): TBA
BULLS (1-15): TBA
CHEETAHS v REDS at Free State Stadium
Sunday, 3:10am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD
James O’Connor will return from injury on the wing for the Reds against the Cheetahs on Sunday morning AEST.
Chris Feauai-Sautia joins Samu Kerevi in the centres, while Nick frisby again will the flyhalf role vacated by the injured Quade Cooper.
James Hanson has been named at hooker while experienced pair James Horwill and Rob Simmons will line up together in the second row.
CHEETAHS (1-15): TBA
REDS (1-15): James Slipper, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Curtis Browning, Liam Gill, Adam Thomson, Will Genia, Nick Frisby, James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Lachie Turner, Karmichael Hunt
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Ben Daley, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, Adam Korczyk, Anthony Fainga’a, Campbell Magnay, Chris Kuridrani
Originally published as Super Rugby 2015, round 10 teams: Stephen Larkham wields axe at Brumbies
Young Waratahs pair shine in ‘pretty disappointing’ Super Rugby trial
The Waratahs have worked hard on a particular skill all pre-season but it was an area that let them down in their Super Rugby trial where two young guns produced ‘positive energy’.
Reds star staying patient in comeback bid
With a ‘weird’ 2024 behind him, Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright is eager to return from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him since July.