Super Rugby 2015, round 15 teams: Michael Hooper v Richie McCaw in grand final rematch

ALL Blacks captain Richie McCaw will make his first Super Rugby start since he was knocked out in the Crusaders’ 29-15 Anzac Day win over the Blues.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 23: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw shakes hands with Wallabies captain Michael Hooper after winning The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on August 23, 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

ALL Blacks captain Richie McCaw will make his first Super Rugby start since he was knocked out in the Crusaders’ 29-15 Anzac Day win over the Blues.

McCaw returns to wear his familiar No 7 jersey in Saturday night’s grand final rematch with the Waratahs at ANZ Stadium.

The 34-year-old’s match-up with Wallabies captain and NSW open side flanker Michael Hooper will be a feature of the top match of round 15 as teams jockey for playoff positions.

Read on for all the round 15 teams.

Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs will miss another week with injury.

CHIEFS v BULLS at Rotorua International Stadium

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

The Chiefs’ injury roster might be mounting by the week, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be reckless in rushing back players before they’re ready, assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge says.

Injuries from last week’s 22-18 loss to Super Rugby pacesetters the Hurricanes have forced adjustments to the Chiefs’ squad.

Changes to the tight five feature, with Mitchell Graham starting at loosehead prop while Michael Fitzgerald has been bracketed at lock with former Chief and All Black Ross Filipo, who was called into the side earlier this week as cover.

The confirmed starting lock will be joined in the second row by the newly re-signed Johan Bardoul, Michael Allardice’s ruptured medial cruciate knee ligament from last week ruling him out for the rest of the season.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick’s shoulder injury is still keeping him sidelined, and Strawbridge says Matt Symons, concussed in the Chiefs’ loss to the Rebels on May 2, is not yet ready to play.

Midfield utility Sonny Bill Williams is another being given plenty of time to recover from a niggly back injury.

“It’s not major, but he’s just not able to perform to the level he needs to, or we need him to, just yet,” Strawbridge said.

The only other change to the run-on side comes with Augustine Pulu starting at half-back in place of Brad Weber.

Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke named Callie Visagie as starting hooker, replacing resting Springbok Adriaan Strauss.

Ludeke also made two changes in his loose trio, with Jacques du Plessis and Deon Stegmann starting after playing off the bench against the Blues, and Arno Botha and Lappies Labuschagne this time tasked to provide spark as impact players.

CHIEFS (1-15): Mitchell Graham, Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald/Ross Filipo, Johan Bardoul, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Michael Leitch, Augustine Pulu, Damian McKenzie, Bryce Heem, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Hosea Gear, Tom Marshall.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Pauliasi Manu, Brian Alainu’uese, Maama Vaipulu, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams

BULLS (1-15): Trevor Nyakane, Callie Visagie, Marcel van der Merwe, Flip van der Merwe, Victor Matfield, Deon Stegmann, Jacques du Plessis, Pierre Spies, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Bjorn Basson, Jan Serfontein, JJ Engelbrecht, Francois Hougaard, Jesse Kriel.

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger, Lappies Labuschagne, Arno Botha, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Burger Odendaal, Travis Ismaiel.

Returning Reds winger Chris Kuridrani with his mum Bale.

REDS v SHARKS at Suncorp Stadium

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

Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham has made just one change to the side which defeated the Rebels, with winger Lachie Turner replaced by Chris Kuridrani due to concussion.

“It is nice to be able to reward the group for their performance last week and for the first time this season we have only lost one player to injury,” Graham said.

“That in itself is also a bonus as continuity of selection for the right reasons breeds confidence.

“We had a few first timers last week and they were all strong contributors. Jake (McIntyre) will have gained confidence from his ability to steer the team around, Karmichael (Hunt) will become more familiar in the front line and Sam Greene’s nerves will have settled with 10 minutes off the bench at the back end of the game.

Fly half Quade Cooper was not considered for selection, after it was determined he would benefit from another week of rest before returning from a fractured shoulder blade.

“Quade was pretty close to being available,” Graham said.

“His fracture has healed and he is training fully with the team, however we felt it was in his best interests to have another week of strength and contact work.”

Meanwhile, Sharks coach Gary Gold has also made just one change, with prop Dale Chadwick making way for Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira.

“They [Queensland] turned the corner last weekend against a good Rebels team and we know we’re going to have our hands full this weekend,” Gold said.

“You look at the players in their team — Slipper, Horwell, Genia, Turner, O’Connor — these are really good rugby players, highly experienced internationals and this is a team going through a similar season to us.

“With a couple of injuries and a couple of poor performances, they’ve found themselves on the end of a couple of bad results.”

REDS (1-15): James Slipper (c), James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Jake McIntyre, Chris Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, James O’Connor.

Reserves: Andrew Ready, Pettowa Paraka, Sam Talakai, Ed O’Donoghue, Lolo Fakaosilea, Nick Frisby, Sam Greene, Ben Tapuai.

SHARKS (1-15): Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Stephan Lewies, Marco Wentzel (c), Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Renaldo Bothma, Stefan Ungerer, Lionel Cronje, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo.

Reserves: Franco Marais, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Mouritz Botha, Etienne Oosthuizen, Conrad Hoffmann, Fred Zeilinga, Andre Esterhuizen.

Dane Coles (left) will start for the Hurricanes while Brad Shields (right) drops to the bench.

BLUES v HURRICANES at Eden Park

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

Blues coach John Kirwan has made three changes to his starting 15, all in the pack.

Props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Sam Prattley come in for Charlie Faumuina, who is on an All Blacks rest, and the injured Tony Woodcock.

New Zealand under-20 representative Blake Gibson is promoted to the No 7 jersey in a reshuffled loose trio.

With the Blues battling a lengthy injury list, hooker James Parsons will become their third skipper this season.

The competition-leading Hurricanes will also have a new captain.

Conrad Smith is being rested after he was concussed in last week’s win over the Chiefs, with lock Jeremy Thrush taking over the leadership duties.

Ma’a Nonu will steer a backline which features Rey Lee-Lo at centre and the inexperienced James Marshall at fly half.

Lee-Lo’s introduction is the only change made to the backline by Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd, who has completely overhauled his front row and brought in Blade Thomson for Brad Shields on the blindside flank.

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles will make his first start for nine weeks, having made a couple of bench appearances this month following elbow and calf ailments.

He replaces Motu Matu’u and will pack down between Chris Eves and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, who are both promoted from regular bench roles.

All Blacks prop Ben Franks has succumbed to an Achilles tendon injury while Reggie Goodes is serving a one-game suspension for a dangerous charge which ended the season for Chiefs lock Michael Allardice.

BLUES (1-15): Sam Prattley, James Parsons (c), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Culum Retallick, Josh Bekhuis, Brendon O’Connor, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ihaia West, Melani Nanai, George Moala, Francis Saili, Ben Lam, Lolagi Visinia.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Angus Ta’avao, Nick Mayhew, Will Lloyd, Joe Edwards, Jimmy Cowan, Simon Hickey, Matt Vaega.

HURRICANES (1-15): Chris Eves, Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush (c), James Broadhurst, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, James Marshall, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Rey Lee-Lo, Cory Jane, Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mark Abbott/Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Otere Black, Willis Halaholo.

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw of the Crusaders will start against the Waratahs.

WARATAHS v CRUSADERS at ANZ Stadium

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

All Blacks Richie McCaw and Luke Romano return to the Crusaders starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against defending Super Rugby champions the Waratahs in Sydney. Coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to the side that pounded the Queensland Reds 58-17 in their last start two weeks ago.

Romano returns at lock to boost the lineout, while All Blacks captain McCaw will start his first match since he was knocked out in the Crusaders’ 29-15 Anzac Day win over the Blues.

Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett keeps the No. 1 jersey, but Owen Franks returns to the starting 15 at tight-head while Ben Funnell starts at hooker.

The only change in the backline comes at half-back, with Mitchell Drummond rotating into the starting spot and Andy Ellis providing cover from the bench.

Fullback Israel Dagg makes his return from injury off the bench, in his first game since suffering a calf strain in the 25-20 loss to the Highlanders on April 11.

NSW named an unchanged run-on side with flanker Jacques Potgieter missing a second straight game with a sternum injury.

WARATAHS (1-15): Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Will Skelton, David Dennis (c), Stephen Hoiles, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau.

Reserves (from): Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Mitchell Chapman, Jack Dempsey, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Matt Carraro, Peter Betham.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read (c), Mitchell Drummond, Colin Slade, Nemani Nadolo, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Nafi Tuitavake, Tom Taylor.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Israel Dagg, Jones Macilai.

Dane Haylett-Petty of the Westen Force is tackled against the Blues.

FORCE v HIGHLANDERS at nib Stadium

Saturday, 9:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

Fullback Dane Haylett-Petty will return to the Western Force’s starting XV after being a late omission in the win over the Waratahs with a groin injury.

Outside back Marcel Brache, who started on the wing against the Waratahs, will start at outside centre against the New Zealanders, linking with Kyle Godwin in the midfield, who will shift to the 12 jersey in place of the injured Solomoni Jnr Rasolea (ankle).

Lock Sam Wykes is set to make his return off the bench from a foot injury that has sidelined him for three matches.

The Highlanders face their third straight match on the road boosted by the return of Waisake Naholo and Shaun Treeby.

Naholo and Treeby return from injury to the run-on team, with Naholo back on the wing and Treeby starting at inside centre.

Utility back Richard Buckman, who filled in the No 12 jersey last week, moves to cover on the bench.

Co-captain Ben Smith reaches a Super Rugby century when he starts at fullback on Saturday night, becoming only the fourth player to rack up 100 games all wearing the Highlanders jersey.

FORCE (1-15): Pekahou Cowan, Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Steve Mafi, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson (c), Ben McCalman, Ryan Louwrens, Sias Ebersohn, Nick Cummins, Kyle Godwin, Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan, Dane Haylett-Petty.

Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Guy Millar, Sam Wykes, Kane Koteka, Alby Mathewson, Luke Burton, Brad Lacey.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Alex Ainley, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans, John Hardie, Nasi Manu (co-c), Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Shaun Treeby, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (co-c).

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Tom Franklin, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Richard Buckman, Marty Banks.

Raymond Rhule will start on the wing for the Cheetahs.

CHEETAHS v LIONS at Vodacom Park

Sunday, 1:05am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

Cheetahs blindside flanker Tienie Burger has been ruled out with concussion and is replaced by Carel Greeff, with Henco Venter moving in on the bench.

Raymond Rhule and Cornal Hendricks are the two Cheetahs wingers.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has opted to rotate several players for this local derby.

In the forwards, Ackermann has chosen to start Jacques van Rooyen and Ruan Dreyer in the front row.

Lock Andries Ferreira will partner with Martin Muller, while Warwick Tecklenburg returns to the starting side at flanker.

In the backline, Courtnall Skosan returns to start at left wing which results in Ruan Combrinck shifting back to right wing.

Howard Mnisi comes into the starting side and links up with Lionel Mapoe in the midfield, as Mapoe shifts back to outside centre.

CHEETAHS (1-15): Danie Mienie, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Maks van Dyk, Carl Wegner, Francois Uys (c), Carel Greeff, Boom Prinsloo, Willie Britz, Tian Meyer, Francois Brummer, Raymond Rhule, Michael van der Spuy, Francois Venter, Cornal Hendricks, Clayton Blommetjies.

Reserves: Stephan Coetzee, BG Uys, Ewald vd Westhuizen, Steven Sykes, Henco Venter, Shaun Venter, Coenie van Wyk, Ryno Benjamin.

LIONS (1-15): Jacques van Rooyen, Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Dreyer, Andries Ferreira, Martin Muller, Jaco Kriel, Warwick Tecklenburg, Warren Whiteley (c), Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Howard Mnisi, Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck, Andries Coetzee.

Reserves: Armand van der Merwe, Schalk van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Robert Kruger, Ross Cronje, Jaco van der Walt, Harold Vorster.

Cam Crawford will make his Rebels debut.

STORMERS v REBELS at Newlands

Sunday, 3:10am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD

Former Waratahs winger Cam Crawford will make his Melbourne Rebels debut in their must-win clash in Cape Town.

Crawford was a member of the 2014 title-winning Waratahs before joining the Rebels but has struggled to break into the squad.

McGahan was forced into three key changes to his starting line-up with centre Tamati Ellison (groin), winger Sefanaia Naivalu (concussion) and prop Toby Smith (back) ruled out.

Dom Shipperley will start at outside centre, Tom English replaced Naivalu while prop Cruze Ah-Nau will make his first start after featuring off the bench in every match this season.

Co-captain flanker Scott Fuglistaller returns to the starting line-up, relegating Jordy Reid to the bench.

Japanese test prop Keita Inagaki has been named on the bench for the first time and could become the third Japanese international to represent the Rebels.

STORMERS (1-15): Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen (c), Louis Schreuder, Demetri Catrakilis, Dillyn Leyds, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe.

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Ali Vermaak, Vincent Koch, Jean Kleyn, Nizaam Carr, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones.

REBELS (1-15): Cruze Ah-Nau, Pat Leafa, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham (c), Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Mitch Inman, Dom Shipperley, Cam Crawford, Mike Harris.

Reserves: Tom Sexton, Keita Inagaki, Laurie Weeks, Cadeyrn Neville, Jordy Reid, Colby Fainga’a, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty.

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015, round 15 teams: Michael Hooper v Richie McCaw in grand final rematch