Super Rugby 2015, round 16 teams: Quade Cooper returns for Queensland Reds

QUADE Cooper will make his return from a two-month injury lay-off for the Queensland Reds in their clash with the Western Force on Saturday.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Quade Cooper of the Reds looks to take on the defence during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on March 27, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

QUADE Cooper will make his return from a two-month injury lay-off for the Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby bottom-of-the-table clash with the Western Force on Saturday.

The mercurial Wallabies star, who has recovered from his second shoulder fracture this season, will start at fly half in place of rookie Jake McIntyre, who drops to the bench.

Read on for all the round 16 teams.

CRUSADERS v HURRICANES at Trafalgar Park

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

ALL Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush will set Hurricanes records for longevity after being named for Friday’s Super Rugby match against the Crusaders in Nelson.

Evergreen centre Nonu will earn his 123rd cap for the runaway competition leaders, claiming the outright record for the most games from former midfield great Tana Umaga.

Lock Thrush, who like Nonu is heading overseas next season, will play his 106th game, moving level with former hooker Andrew Hore for the most by a Hurricanes forward.

Victory will guarantee the Hurricanes finish the season top of the table while the Crusaders must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

There are four changes to the side who beat the Blues 29-5 in Auckland last week, the Hurricanes’ 12th win from 13 games which kept them 13 points clear at the top.

Centre Conrad Smith returns from a rest break to partner Nonu, replacing Rey Lee-Lo and reclaiming the captain’s armband from Thrush.

Prop Reggie Goodes returns from suspension and lock James Broadhurst from a knee niggle to usurp Chris Eves and Mark Abbott respectively.

Flanker Brad Shields replaces No 8 Victor Vito, meaning Blade Thomson switches to the back of the scrum.

All Blacks wing Cory Jane remains sidelined by a hamstring strain, resulting in the Hurricanes retaining their combination from last week of Nehe Milner-Skudder on the wing, James Marshall at fullback and 20-year-old Otere Black at five-eighth for his second start.

Prop Ben Franks returns from an achilles tendon niggle to the bench, handing him what will probably be his last chance to pack down against brother and fellow All Black Owen Franks before taking up an English club contract next year.

Meanwhile, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has named a team with seven changes to the starting line up for their final home game this season and four further changes in the replacements.

Injuries from last week’s loss to the Waratahs have forced several changes for this must-win match against the tournament leaders.

Prop Alex Hodgman will make his first start of the season with Joe Moody out with a foot injury.

Providing prop cover on the bench are Nepo Laulala and Tim Perry, who is set to play his first game since rupturing his achilles at the end of 2014.

Three players have been ruled out this week following head knocks in the game against the Waratahs: lock Sam Whitelock, No 8 Kieran Read and midfielder Ryan Crotty.

That sees Jimmy Tupou start at lock alongside Luke Romano, while Dominic Bird takes a spot on the bench.

Richie McCaw steps into captaincy duties and the No 7 jersey, with Matt Todd playing at No 6, Jordan Taufua at No 8 and Luke Whitelock on the bench.

Robbie Fruean is making his return from injury at outside centre and David Havili will start at inside centre.

Colin Slade and Israel Dagg are also both out with injuries this week, so Dan Carter starts at fly half, Tom Taylor at fullback and Kieron Fonotia joins the replacements.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Ben Funnell, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Richie McCaw (c), Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, David Havili, Robbie Fruean, Nafi Tuitavake, Tom Taylor.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai.

HURRICANES (1-15): Reggie Goodes, Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Blade Thomson, TJ Perenara, Otere Black, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith (c), Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Marshall.

Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Ben Franks, Mark Abbott, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor.

BRUMBIES v BULLS at GIO Stadium

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

The Brumbies are at risk of not having Matt Toomua for the rest of the Super Rugby season, with the star playmaker to miss Friday’s clash with the Bulls and only a “50-50” chance of coming back next week.

Toomua spent more than a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury, only to hurt the other one upon his return against the Lions in Johannesburg earlier this month.

Despite enjoying a bye week, the inside centre couldn’t prove his fitness for the Brumbies’ must-win game at GIO Stadium and remains in doubt for their penultimate-round battle with Western Force in Perth.

“He’s not as close as we would’ve liked,” coach Stephen Larkham said on Thursday.

“If he was close, we certainly would’ve pushed him out there because we know our season is sort of on the line at the moment.

“The flight (back from South Africa) probably hurt him a little bit.

“He did all his rehab last week, but just wasn’t good enough this week.

“We’re hoping for next week, but at this stage it’s still a 50-50 proposition.”

Robbie Coleman returns to the starting line-up after doing a fantastic job at No 12 in his senior’s absence, according to Larkham.

But the coach admitted Toomua was still a “massive loss.”

“We know we’ve got good coverage there, but it’ll be nice to have one of the world’s best players out on the field,” he said.

A look at the lineout battle between the Brumbies and the Bulls.

Scott Sio, meanwhile, returns after two months recovering from a knee injury.

The Samoan-born giant hasn’t played since round nine when he strained his medial ligament against the Blues, except for a 60-minute club rugby appearance last week.

Captain Stephen Moore said it was a huge boost to have Sio back.

“We’ve really missed him over the time he’s been injured,” Moore said.

“The guys who’ve filled in have done a great job, but Scotty’s a quality player and he’ll add a lot to our team when he comes back.”

The Brumbies need to beat the Bulls if they are any chance of reclaiming top spot on the Australian conference.

They sit three points behind the NSW Waratahs on the local ladder, but are narrowly holding down a wildcard spot for the finals in sixth overall.

The Bulls are also three points adrift of South African conference leaders the Stormers and are in desperate need of a victory.

“We’re both in very similar positions, so we need to be more desperate tomorrow to win,” said Moore.

Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has been forced to rest legendary lock Victor Matfield in compliance with the SARU agreement for Springbok players while Jurgen Visser starts at fullback replacing Jesse Kriel who has been named on the bench for this match.

Visser joined the squad on Monday in place of injured Jan Serfontein and with Kriel recovering from a knee contusion, Ludeke opted for the 30 cap fullback to start.

Also in the backline Serfontein has been replaced by Burger Odendaal in the midfield.

In the pack, there is a return for Adriaan Strauss, who was rested last weekend, with Callie Visagie moving to the bench, as well as a first start on tour for Grant Hattingh, who replaces Matfield.

Dean Greyling rotates with Trevor Nyakane at loose head and flanker Arno Botha swaps places with Jacques du Plessis in the other change to the pack.

“We are well aware of the threat the Brumbies pose in many positions, so realise that we will have to play to our full potential if we want to succeed in Canberra,” Ludeke said.

“The changes in the team are all within the squad setup. Jurgen has played for us many times and will slot in without ease, while Burger showed his worth earlier in the season.

“We know that we need log points if we want this season to still mean something to us and the team will be going out there determined to achieve what we set out at the beginning of the season.”

BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (c), Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Ita Vaea, Nic White, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg.

Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, Nigel Ah Wong, James Dargaville.

BULLS (1-15): Dean Greyling, Adriaan Strauss, Marcel van der Merwe, Flip van der Merwe, Grant Hattingh, Deon Stegmann, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Bjorn Basson, Burger Odendaal, JJ Engelbrecht, Francois Hougaard, Jurgen Visser.

Reserves: Callie Visagie, Trevor Nyakane, Werner Kruger, Jacques du Plessis, Lappies Labuschagne, Jacques Louis Potgieter, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel.

SHARKS v REBELS at Kings Park Stadium

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

Sefanaia Naivalu and Toby Smith return for the Rebels after missing last week’s match against the Stormers.

Naivalu and Smith are among five inclusions to the starting line-up which also include the injection of Wallabies Luke Burgess and Laurie Weeks, and flanker Colby Fainga’a.

Naivalu will play in the centres alongside Mitch Inman, allowing Dom Shipperley to return to the right wing, while Weeks starts after coming off the bench in the past two matches upon his return from a knee injury.

For the Sharks, No 8 Ryan Kankowski makes a welcome return to action while Willem Alberts is subject to a late fitness test.

The Rebels are still seeking their first success on South African soil.

“South Africa is a tough place to win so getting a win over there is a great achievement for any rugby side,” said Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham.

SHARKS (1-15): Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Mouritz Botha, Marco Wentzel (c), Renaldo Bothma, Willem Alberts/Etienne Oosthuizen, Ryan Kankowski, Stefan Ungerer, Lionel Cronje, S’bura Sithole, Andre Esterhuizen, JP Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo.

Reserves: Franco Marais, Matt Stevens, Lourens Adriaanse, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Etienne Oosthuizen/Khaya Majola, Conrad Hoffmann, Fred Zeilinga, Heimar Williams.

REBELS (1-15): Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Laurie Weeks, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Colby Fainga’a, Scott Higginbotham (c), Luke Burgess, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Mitch Inman, Sefanaia Naivalu, Dom Shipperley, Mike Harris.

Reserves: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Cadeyrn Neville, Scott Fuglistaller, Nic Stirzaker, Jordy Reid, Bryce Hegarty.

HIGHLANDERS v CHIEFS at Rugby Park Stadium

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

Highlanders co-captain Nasi Manu is hampered by shoulder pain for a second week and will miss their important Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in Invercargill.

Fullback Ben Smith will be stand-alone skipper again after it was determined that tough No 8 Manu should await the results of scans.

Manu was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s 23-6 win over the Force in Perth, making way for Dan Pryor.

Pryor keeps his spot for Saturday’s game pitting together the second and third-placed New Zealand conference teams but there are three changes elsewhere.

Tom Franklin returns at lock in place of Mark Reddish, who suffered a hand injury in Perth.

There are also recalls for inside centre Richard Buckman and blindside flanker Elliot Dixon for Shaun Treeby and Gareth Evans respectively.

With the competition-leading Hurricanes having nearly sewn up New Zealand conference honours, the Invercargill clash may well shape the playoff wildcard makeup for both Kiwi teams.

Coming off two wins from three on their tour of South Africa and Australia, the Highlanders will play their last home game of the regular season before fixtures away to the Hurricanes and Blues.

It is the Highlanders’ first game for more than two years in Invercargill, where they have won seven of their 13 matches.

Meanwhile, the return of lock Michael Fitzgerald bolsters the injury-stricken Chiefs for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Invercargill.

The Chiefs have already lost Johan Bardoul for the rest of the season after he ruptured the medial ligament in his right knee during the 34-20 win over the Bulls in Rotorua.

It’s the same injury which struck fellow lock and flatmate Michael Allardice against the Hurricanes the previous week.

Fitzgerald has recovered from the haematoma he suffered in the Chiefs’ 22-18 round 14 loss to the Hurricanes, and will partner up with veteran Ross Filipo, who gets another run after his 70-minute effort against the Bulls.

Ma’ama Vaipulu will replace Liam Messam, who suffered a left shoulder injury during the Chiefs-Bulls match and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of the injury. In his absence Sam Cane will captain the side.

Marty McKenzie joins the starting line-up in the No 10 jersey, while brother Damian moves to fullback.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Alex Ainley, Tom Franklin, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Dan Pryor, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (c).

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Latta, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.

CHIEFS (1-15): Pauliasi Manu, Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Ross Filipo, Michael Fitzgerald, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Cane (c), Michael Leitch, Augustine Pulu, Marty McKenzie, Bryce Heem, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Hosea Gear, Damian McKenzie.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Mitchell Graham, Brian Alainu’uese, Mitchell Crosswell, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams.

Quade Cooper of the Reds looks to take on the Lions defence.

FORCE v REDS at nib Stadium

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

The Force have named an unchanged 23-man squad for the first time this season, following their 23-6 loss to the Highlanders.

“While we showed a lot of character last week, particularly in defence, it’s important we bring that same intensity to finish off the opportunities we’re creating in attack,” said coach Michael Foley.

“It’s exciting to finish with three derby matches — two of them in Perth — and the guys are very driven to finish the season well.”

For the Reds, Quade Cooper will make his return from a two-month injury lay-off in their bottom-of-the-table clash.

The mercurial Wallabies star, who has recovered from his second shoulder fracture this season, will start at fly half in place of rookie Jake McIntyre, who drops to the bench.

The increasingly likelihood is that it could be one of Cooper’s final appearances for Queensland, with the 27-year-old reportedly set to play in France next year on a big-money deal with glamour club Toulon.

“Quade was given the all clear 10 days ago but we wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn’t compromise his return,” coach Richard Graham said.

“He has been training with the squad now for about three weeks and will have no problems returning to play at this level.

“Jake will drop to the bench. He has done a good job over the past two weeks. He will take a lot of learnings from two very different games and he should take some confidence from how he has managed the team around the field.”

Cooper’s inclusion is one of two changes to the starting side that lost to the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium last Friday.

The other is Lachie Turner, who returns from injury to take his place on the wing for Chris Kuridrani (calf).

Flanker Beau Robinson, who tore his calf in pre-season has been named on an extended nine-man bench and stands to make his first appearance this year in Perth.

“It has been an extremely challenging year with injuries and Beau knows that better than most,” Graham said.

“After an excellent pre-season he suffered a calf strain in our final trial against the Crusaders and since has endured a number of foot injuries.

“He has now played a few (Brisbane) Premier Rugby games for Souths and is full of enthusiasm to be back in a Reds 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, Patrick Dellit.

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

Reserves (one to be omitted): Andrew Ready, Pettowa Paraka, Sam Talakai, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nick Frisby, Jake McIntyre, Ben Tapuai, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

STORMERS v CHEETAHS at Newlands Rugby Stadium

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

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has made three changes for the South African derby against the Cheetahs.

Nizaam Carr replaces Schalk Burger at No 6 for the conference leaders, with Springbok Burger rested as part of an agreement with the national body in World Cup year.

Vincent Koch gets a start at tighthead prop with Frans Malherbe reverting to the bench, while Nic Groom comes in for Louis Schreuder at halfback.

The Cheetahs welcome back flanker Tienie Burger and fly half Joe Pietersen, who have been declared fit and are back in the starting line-up, replacing Carel Greeff and Francois Brummer. Sergeal Petersen replaces Cornal Hendricks on the right wing and Sarel Pretorius comes in for Shaun Venter on the bench.

STORMERS (1-15): Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen (c), Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Dillyn Leyds, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe.

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Frans Malherbe, Jean Kleyn, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman.

Huw Jones

CHEETAHS (1-15): Danie Mienie, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Maks van Dyk, Carl Wegner, Francois Uys (c), Tienie Burger, Boom Prinsloo, Willie Britz, Tian Meyer, Joe Pietersen, Raymond Rhule, Michael van der Spuy, Francois Venter, Sergeal Petersen, Clayton Blommetjies.

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

LIONS v WARATAHS at Ellis Park

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

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has completely revamped his front row for Sunday’s home game against the Waratahs.

Schalk van der Merwe will start at loosehead prop, Armand van der Merwe moves into the starting side at hooker and Julian Redelinghuys comes in at tighthead.

Meanwhile, in the backline, the only change takes place at inside centre as Harold Vorster is promoted to the starting side.

On the bench, Malcolm Marx will cover the hooker berth while Corne Fourie and Marnitz Boshoff return to the match day 23.

Stokkies Hanekom is also a new inclusion to the side and will provide centre cover.

LIONS (1-15): Schalk van der Merwe, Armand van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, Martin Muller, Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel, Warwick Tecklenburg, Warren Whiteley (c), Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Courtnall Skosan, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck, Andries Coetzee.

Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Robert Kruger, Kwagga Smith, Ross Cronje, Marnitz Boshoff, Stokkies Hanekom.

WARATAHS (1-15): TBC

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015, round 16 teams: Quade Cooper returns for Queensland Reds