Super Rugby teams: Karmichael Hunt named for Reds return in round eight clash with Rebels

KARMICHAEL Hunt will begin his second coming at the Reds on Friday night after being named on the bench for their clash with the Rebels.

4 min read

April 2, 2015 - 4:30PM

Karmichael Hunt returns to training

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KARMICHAEL Hunt will begin his second coming at the Reds on Friday night after being named on the bench for their clash with the Rebels.

After being largely ineffective at flyhalf in round one and fullback in round two, it remains to see what position Hunt will fill when called upon by Richard Graham at AAMI Park.

The teams are rolling in for round eight of the Super Rugby season and we’ll have them all here as they are announced.

Karmichael Hunt returns to Reds training after serving his suspension.

HURRICANES v STORMERS at Westpac Stadium

Friday, 5:35pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

HURRICANES centre Ma’a Nonu will become the fourth member of Super Rugby’s elite 150 games club when he takes the field against the Stormers on Friday night.

Nonu joins Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, and Nathan Sharpe in the esteemed club.

All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and Ben Franks all return to the Hurricanes’ starting side, while Nehe Milner-Skudder is rewarded for a dymanic cameo appearance last weekend with selection at fullback.

Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen returns for the match after missing last week’s 39-21 loss to the Highlanders.

Fellow Springbok Eben Etzebeth has been named at lock, while Ruan Botha comes on to the bench.

HURRICANES (1-15): Reggie Goodes, Motu Matu’u, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Callum Gibbins, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Nehe Milner-Skudder

Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Ben May, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Adam Hill, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall

STORMERS (1-15): Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza, Siya Kolisi, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Dillyn Leyds, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Kobus van Wyk, Cheslin Kolbe

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Frans Malherbe, Ruan Botha, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones

Ma'a Nonu of the Hurricanes attempts to evade Charles Piutau of the Blues.

REBELS v REDS at AAMI Park

Friday, 7:40pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

KARMICHAEL Hunt will attempt to restart his Reds career this weekend after being named on the bench for his side’s trip to Melbourne.

Prop Greg Holmes, flanker Liam Gill and winger Chris Feauai-Saitia return to the Reds’ starting side for the must-win fixture.

The Rebels have rushed back hulking lock Lopeti timani in the hopes of snapping a seven game losing streak at home.

Prop Paul Alo-Emile replaces injured veteran Laurie Weeks at tighthead in the only other change to the starting XV.

REBELS (1-15): Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Sefa Naivalu, Mitch Inman, Tamati Ellison, Tom English, Mike Harris.

Reserves: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tim Metcher, Colby Fainga’a, Jordy Reid, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty

REDS (1-15): James Slipper, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Dave McDuling, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, James O’Connor, Anthony Fainga’a, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Lachie Turner.

Reserves: Ben Daley, Saia Fainga’a, Sef Faagase, Marco Kotze, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Chris Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt

It is unclear whether Hunt will come on at flyhalf or fullback against the Rebels.

CHIEFS v BLUES at Waikato Stadium

Saturday, 5:35pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

THE Chiefs have run in the changes for their home fixture against the Blues on Saturday afternoon.

Front rowers Mitchell Graham and Hika Elliot, lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Augustine Pulu, centre andrew Horrell and winger tom Marshall are all added to the run on side.

Former Sevens star Pita Ahki will make his debut for the Blues after being named at outside centre by coach Sir John Kirwan.

Veteran Keven Mealamu and prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi are named in the front row, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Tevita Li are also included in the backs.

CHIEFS (1-15): Mitchell Graham, Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Matt Symons, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Michael Leitch, Augustine Pulu, Aaron Cruden, James Lowe, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Horrell, Tom Marshall, Damian McKenzie

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Allardice, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Bryce Heem

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faimuina/Angus Ta’avao, Josh Bekhuis, Hayden Triggs, Steven Luatua, Brendon O’Connor, Jerome Kaino, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Bowden. Tevita Li. George Moala, Pita Ahki, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau

Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Francis Saili

Keven Mealamu will aim up at the Chiefs this weekend.

BRUMBIES v CHEETAHS at GIO Stadium

Saturday, 7:40pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

BRUMBIES coach Stephen Larkham has reshuffled his lineup for Saturday’s clash with the Cheetahs at GIO Stadium.

David Pocock will start at openside flanker, with Jarrad Butler moving to number eight and Ita Vaea to the bench, while Blake Enever replaces Rory Arnold at lock.

In the backs, injury to Tevita Kuridrani means Henry Speight shifts in to outside centre, with James Dargaville lining up on the wing.

Springboks Willie le Roux and Coenie Oosthuizen will both return to the Cheetahs’ line up for the Canberra fixture after being rested last week.

Johann Sadie and Francois Venter form a new look midfield pairing, while Sarel Pretorius rejoins the bench.

BRUMBIES (1-15): Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio, Blake Enever, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Jarrad Butler, Nic White, Matt Toomua, James Dargaville, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman

Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Ita Vaea, Michael Dowsett, Lausii Taliauli, Nigel Ah Wong

CHEETAHS (1-15): Danie Mienie, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Coenie Oosthuizen, Carl Wegner, Francois Uys, Heinrich Brussow, Boom Prinsloo, Willie Britz, Tian Meyer, Joe Pietersen, Raymond Rhule, Francois Venter, Johann Sadie, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux

Reserves: Stephan Coetzee, BG Uys, Maks van Dyk, Steven Sykes, Tienie Burger, Sarel Pretorius, Willie du Plessis, Ryno Benjamin