Super Rugby 2015: Team lists, previews for every match in round 12
MICHAEL Cheika has brought back Wycliff Palu and Jacques Potgieter into his starting line-up for the crunch clash against the Brumbies on Friday night. Round 12 teams here.
WARATAHS coach Michael Cheika has brought back star forwards Wycliff Palu and Jacques Potgieter into his starting line-up for the crunch clash against the Brumbies on Friday night.
Both back-rowers were on the bench as NSW edged out Melbourne Rebels last week in a bid to keep them fresh for this game, which is likely to decide who tops the Australian conference.
Brumbies forwards Sam Carter and Ben Alexander also return to the starting side for the grudge match against in Canberra.
Carter missed last weekend’s win over the Highlanders after taking personal leave, while Ben Alexander is elevated from the bench. Blake Enever and Ruan Smith drop to the reserves.
BRUMBIES v WARATAHS at GIO Stadium
Friday, 7:40pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
BRUMBIES (1-15): JP Smith, Stephen Moore (c), Ben Alexander, Jordan Smiler, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Ita Vaea, Michael Dowsett, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg
Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Joe Powell, James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong
WARATAHS (1-15): Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Dave Dennis (c), Will Skelton, Jacques Potgieter, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Israel Folau.
Reserves: olu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Mitch Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Matt Carraro (one to be omitted).
HIGHLANDERS v SHARKS at Forsyth Barr Stadium
Friday, 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
The return of hooker Bismarck du Plessis from suspension will be a boost for the struggling Sharks, who also enjoyed a week off in round 11.
But du Plessis has admirably relinquished his captaincy of the side, telling coach Gary Gold he was determined to re-establish himself in the XV before taking resuming his leadership role.
Fellow Springboks Stephan Lewies and JP Pietersen also return to the Sharks’s starting side.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made a number of changes to his side after their loss to the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.
John Hohneck, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans and Dan Pryor are all elevated to the starting forward pack that was quite literally mauled by the Brumbies in round 11.
All Blacks Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa return to the backline. Richard Buckmann is also included at inside centre.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Kane Hames, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Tom Franklin, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans, Dan Pryor, Nasi Manu (c), Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (c)
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala’apitaga, Joe Latta, Elliot Dixon, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery
SHARKS (1-15): Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewies, Marco Wentzel (c), Marcell Coetzee, Renaldo Bothma, Willem Alberts, Cobus Reinach, Fred Zeilinga, Lwazi Mvovo, Andre Esterhuizen, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Odwa Ndungane
Reserves: Franco Marais, Dale Chadwick, Matt Stevens, Mouritz Botha, Etienne Oosthuizen, Conrad Hoffmann, Lionel Cronje, Waylon Murray
BRUMBIES v WARATAHS at GIO Stadium
Friday, 7:40pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
FORWARDs Sam Carter and Ben Alexander will return to the Brumbies’ starting side for their grudge match against the Waratahs in Canberra on Friday night.
Carter missed last weekend’s win over the Highlanders after taking personal leave, while Ben Alexander is elevated from the bench. Blake Enever and Ruan Smith drop to the reserves.
BRUMBIES (1-15): JP Smith, Stephen Moore (c), Ben Alexander, Jordan Smiler, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Ita Vaea, Michael Dowsett, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg
Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Joe Powell, James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong
WARATAHS (1-15): TBA
BLUES v FORCE at Eden Park
Saturday, 3:30pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
SIR John Kirwan has named All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau to return to the Blues side for their clash with the Force on Saturday afternoon.
Kaino and Piutau’s returns come at the expense of Steven Luatua and Frank Halai, while flanker Luke Braid returns from injury via the bench.
Force coach Michael Foley has handed a Super Rugby debut to scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens in place of the suspended Ian Prior.
Lock Adam Coleman has been bracketed alongside Wilhelm Steenkamp after suffering a shoulder knock last weekend.
BLUES (1-15): Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Josh Bekhuis/Culum Retallick, Hayden Triggs, Akira Ioane, Brendon O’Connor, Jerome Kaino (c), Jimmy Cowan, Dan Bowden, Melani Nanai, George Moala/Hamish Northcott, Francis Saili/Hamish Northcott, Lolagi Visinia, Charles Piutau
Reserves: James Parsons, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Steven Luatua, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ihaia West, Tevita Li.
FORCE (1-15): Pekahou Cowan, Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Steve Mafi, Adam Coleman/Wilhelm Steenkamp, Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson (c), Ben McCalman, Ryan Louwrens, Sias Ebersohn, Nick Cummins, Luke Burton, Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Guy Millar, Wilhelm Steenkamp/Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Justin Turner, Marcel Brache, Junior Rasolea
HURRICANES v CRUSADERS at Westpac Stadium
Saturday, 5:53pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
THE table-topping Hurricanes welcome back a host of stars for Saturday’s Kiwi derby clash with the Crusaders in Wellington.
Hooker Dane Coles, fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder and winger Cory Jame all return to the starting XV, while Blade thomson has recovered from a concussion and is named on the bench.
The Crusaders returned to winning ways last weekend and coach Todd Blackadder has decided to retain the majority of that side, making just two changes for round 12.
Matt Todd replaces Richie McCaw at openside flanker after the All Blacks legend suffered a concussion last week, while Andy Ellis returns at scrumhalf in place of Mitchell Drummond.
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 (c), Cory Jane, Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves: Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Matt Proctor, James Marshall
CRUSADERS (1-15): Wyatt Crockett, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, DSam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Nemani Nadolo, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, David Havili, Tom Taylor.
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Mitchell Drummond, Kieron Fonotia, Nafi Tuitavake
REBELS v CHIEFS at AAMI Park
Saturday, 7:40pm AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
THE Rebels have handed dreadlocked flanker Jordy Reid a first start of 2015, with co-captain Scott Fuglistaller rested for their clash with the Chiefs.
Luke Jones and Tom English have also been named to return to the starting side by coach Tony McGahan
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has rung in the changes for Saturday night’s fixture in Melbourne.
Liam Messam, Andrew Horrell, James Lowe, Pauiasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna and Michael Fitzgerald are all handed starting berths.
Siate Tokolahi, Johan Bardoul and Bryce Heem are relegated to the bench and are joined by new faces Jamie Mackintosh and Michael Allardice.
REBELS (1-15): Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Jordy Reid, Scott Higginbotham, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Sefanaia Naivalu, Mitch Inman, Tamati Ellison, Dom Shipperley, Mike Harris.
Reserves: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tim Metcher, Cadeyrn Neville, Colby Fainga’a, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty, Tom English.
CHIEFS (1-15): Pauliasi Manu, Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifunam Matt Symons, Michael Fitzgerald, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Michael Leitch, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, James Lowe, Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tom Marshall
Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Jamie Mackintosh, Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Augustine Pulum Damian McKenzie, Bryce Heem
CHEETAHS v STORMERS at Vodacom Park
Sunday 1:05am AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
THE Cheetahs will field a new-look side against the in-form Stormers on Sunday morning at Vodacom Park.
Caylib Oosthuizen joins namesake Coenie in the front row, while Joe Pietersen returns at flyhalf and Sergeal Petersen debuts on the wing. Francois Venter returns at outside centre in place of the injured Johann Sadie.
CHEETAHS (1-15): Caylib Oosthuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Coenie Oosthuizen/Maks van Dyk, Carl Wegner, Francois Uys (c), Tienie Burger, Boom Prinsloo, Willie Britz, Sarel Pretorius, Joe Pietersen, Sergeal Petersen, Michael van der Spuy, Francois Venter, Ryno Benjamin, Clayton Blommetjies
Reserves: Stephan Coetzee, Dolph Botha, Maks van Dyk/Ewald van der Westhuizen, Steven Sykes, Carel Greeff, Tian Meyer, Francois Brummer, Danie Dames
STORMERS (1-15): TBA
BULLS v LIONS at Loftus Versfeld
Sunday, 3:10am AEST, LIVE on FOX Sports 2HD
BULLS (1-15): TBA
LIONS (1-15): TBA
Originally published as Super Rugby 2015: Team lists, previews for every match in round 12
Mixed bag for Suaalii as Tahs produce miracle win
While all eyes were on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in his hotly anticipated Waratahs debut, it was two unheralded toilers who helped deliver a stunning last-gasp victory over the Highlanders.
‘Others worse off’: Legendary Reds coach confronts life in a wheelchair
Legendary Reds coach and Queensland Rugby Hall of Famer John Connolly has opened up on the accident which left him in a wheelchair, and the purpose behind his immense fundraising crusade to uncover a solution to spine injuries.