Super Rugby round two teams: James O’Connor, Adam Thomson to debut for Reds; All Blacks big guns rolled out

THE Waratahs have been rocked by an injury to Wycliff Palu on the eve of their clash against the Rebels. Check out the round two teams.

Super Rugby Rd 1 - Waratahs v Force

THE teams are rolling in for round two of Super Rugby.

Star recruit James O’Connor will make his Queensland Reds debut in the No. 10 jersey, while a host of All Blacks big guns are back.

Check out the teams and match previews below — check back all day as the sides are updated.

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CHIEFS V BRUMBIES at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

Friday, 5.35pm AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

The Chiefs welcome a host of All Blacks stars back to their line-up, headlined by Aaron Cruden and Liam Messam.

Cruden replaces young gun Damian McKenzie at flyhalf, while Messam replaces Johan Bardoul on the side of the scrum.

Reigning World Rugby player of the year Brodie Retallick is also in line for his first match of 2015 after being named on the side of the scrum.

Former All Blacks flyer Hosea Gear has been named to make his first Super Rugby start since 2013 on the wing, while Test prop Jamie Mackintosh has been named in the front-row.

The Brumbies have lost star flanker David Pocock to injury. Ita Vaea comes into XV to make his first Super Rugby start since 2012 at No. 8, with Jarrad Butler switching to the side of the scrum in place of Pocock.

Wallabies hooker continues Stephen Moore his comeback from a serious knee injury via the bench, with Josh Mann-Rea holding on to the No. 2 jersey. Nic White takes off the captaincy duties.

The Chiefs are gunning for revenge, having had their bid for a third-straight Super Rugby title ended by the Brumbies in last year’s finals with a thrilling 32-30 loss in Canberra.

CHIEFS (1-15): Jamie Mackintosh, Hika Elliot, Siate Tokolahi, Matt Symons, Michael Fitzgerald, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Maama Vaipulu, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Hosea Gear, Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Bryce Heem, James Lowe.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Tevita Koloamatangi, Augustine Pulu, Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu

BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Jarrad Butler, Ita Vaea, Nic White (c), Matt Toomua, Henry Speight, Christian Lealiifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Joe Tomane, Robbie Coleman.

Reserves: Stephen Moore, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Sean Doyle, Michael Dowsett, James Dargaville, Lausii Taliauli.

Wycliff Palu has been ruled out of the Waratahs’ clash with the Rebels.

REBELS V WARATAHS at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Friday, 7.40pm AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

NSW Waratahs have suffered a blow on the eve of their clash against the Rebels in Melbourne, losing Wallabies No. 8 Wycliff Palu to a knee injury.

Coach Michael Cheika said earlier in the week that Palu had been troubled by the knee in the aftermath of Sunday’s home loss to Western Force.

He originally named an unchanged side to meet a Rebels team coming off an opening round away win over the Crusaders.

Veteran back-rower Stephen Hoiles, who was on the bench for last weekend’s game, moves into the starting line-up.

The Rebels are set to make just one change to the side that upset the Crusaders last week for their first win outside Australia.

Former Wallaby Luke Burgess replaces the suspended Nic Stirzaker at halfback, with Ben Meehan coming on to the bench.

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

Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Sam Jeffries, Scott Fuglistaller, Ben Meehan, Bryce Hegarty, Sefanaia Naivalu.

WARATAHS (1-15): Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, David Dennis (c), Will Skelton, Jaques Potgieter, Michael Hooper, Stephen Hoiles, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Taqele Naiyaravaro, Israel Folau.

Reserves (to be finalised): Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Sam Lousi, Mitchell Chapman, Brendan McKibbin, Pat McCutcheon, Peter Betham.

Ma'a Nonu will play his first game for the Hurricanes since 2011.

BULLS v HURRICANES at Loftus Versfeld

Saturday, 4.10am AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

Ma’a Nonu makes his much-anticipated return for the Hurricanes, joining fellow All Black Conrad Smith in the centres.

After missing last week’s win over the Lions to be at home for the birth of his third child, Nonu will line up for the his 111th match for the Canes — and first since 2011.

In other changes, Callum Gibbins replaces Ardie Savea as openside flanker while prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen comes on to the bench.

Springbok Pierre Spies returns to the starting line-up to captain the Bulls, after making a successful comeback from a long-term injury via the bench in last week’s loss to the Stormers.

BULLS (1-15): Morne Mellet, Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jacques du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Deon Stegmann, Lappies Labuschagne, Pierre Spies (C), Piet van Zyl, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Jan Serfontein, JJ Engelbrecht, Bjorn Basson, Jesse Kriel.

Reserves: Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling, Grant Hattingh, Hanro Liebenberg, Rudy Paige, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jurgen Visser, Dayan vd Westhuizen.

HURRICANES (1-15): Reggie Goodes, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Callum Gibbins, Blade Thomson, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith (c), Cory Jane, Jason Woodward.

Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, James Marshall, Matt Proctor

Dan Carter has been sidelined by a leg injury.

HIGHLANDERS v CRUSADERS at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Saturday, 5.35pm AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

All Blacks superstar Dan Carter has been ruled out of the Crusaders’ clash with the Highlanders.

Colin Slade replaces Carter in the No. 10 jersey, with fellow Test ace Israel Dagg making a timely return to take over fullback duties.

The Highlanders will open their season with seven new faces in their match-day squad.

Winger Waisake Naholo, and props Ross Geldenhuys and Josh Hohneck have been named in the starting line-up, while four other players will wear the Highlanders’ colours for the first time if they come off the bench — Ash Dixon, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor and Marty Banks.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Ross Geldenhuys, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Nasi Manu (co-capt), Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Shaun Treeby, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (co-capt).

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Kane Hames, Ma’afu Fia, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Jason Emery, Marty Banks.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Crusaders: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Mitchell Drummond, Colin Slade, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, Kieron Fonotia, Robbie Fruean, Israel Dagg.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Billy Guyton, Tom Taylor, Nafi Tuitavake.

James O'Connor will debut for the Reds at flyhalf.

REDS v FORCE at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Saturday, 7.35pm AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

Big-name recruits James O’Connor and Adam Thomson have been named for their Queensland Reds debuts in Saturday night’s redemption mission against the Western Force.

The Test-toughened duo are the two changes to the Reds starting side which has to rebound from the embarrassment of last Friday night’s lame 47-3 crash to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

Wallabies utility James O’Connor will start at flyhalf with Karmichael Hunt shifting to fullback.

The Force have made two injury-related changes for Saturday’s clash.

Prop Francois van Wyk will make his first starting appearance in place of Pek Cowan, who was carried from the field against the Waratahs after a nasty scrum collapse.

Zack Holmes also comes into the side at fullback in place of Dane Haylett-Petty, who has been ruled out with a foot injury.

REDS (1-15): James Slipper (c), Saia Fainga’a, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Chris Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt.

Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Sef Faagase, Tom Murday, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Sam Johnson, Campbell Magnay.

FORCE (1-15): Francois van Wyk. Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Sam Wykes (c), Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Chris Alcock, Ben McCalman, Alby Mathewson, Sias Ebersohn, Marcel Brache, Solomoni Jnr Rasolea, Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Zack Holmes.

Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins, Steve Mafi, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Luke Burton, Mitchell Scott.

STORMERS v BLUES at Newlands, Cape Town

Sunday, 2.05am AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has decided to stick with a winning formula, making just two changes to the side that defeated the Bulls 29-17 for this weekend’s clash with the Blues.

Lock Jean Kleyn has succumbed to a hamstring injury and is replaced by fellow young-gun Jurie van Vuuren, while Springbok forward Siya Kollsi returns from injury on the bench in van Vuuren’s place.

Star forwards Frans Malherbe and Kobus van Wyk have not yet recovered from injurty and will again watch from the sidelines.

The Blues have made one change to the side that lost to the Chiefs last weekend, with former All Blacks Sevens player Ben Lam coming in on the right wing in a reshuffled back three.

Lam takes over from Charles Piutau, who moves to fullback, while Lolagi Visinia drops to the reserves.

STORMERS (1-15): Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Vincent Koch, Jurie van Vuuren, Ruan Botha, Rynhardt Elstadt, Michael Rhodes, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Dillyn Leyds, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Johnny Kotze, Cheslin Kolbe

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Wilco Louw, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones

BLUES (1-15): Tony Woodcock, James Parsons, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Bekhuis, Hayden Triggs, Steven Luatua, Brendon O’Connor, Jerome Kaino (c), Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, Francis Saili, Hamish Northcott, Ben Lam, Charles Piutau.

Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Bowden, Lolagi Visinia.

Bismarck du Plessis returns to captain the Sharks.

SHARKS v LIONS at Kings Park, Durban

Sunday, 4.10am AEDT, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2HD

SPRINGBOKS hooker Bismarck du Plessis will return to the Sharks’ line up for their clash against the Lions at Kings Park, one of many changes made by coach Gary Gold after a shock 35-29 loss to the Cheetahs in round one.

S’bura Sithole, Mouritz Botha and Beast Mtawarira are all missing, with Odwa Ndungane, Dale Chadwick and debutant lock Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda being thrust into the side.

Promising youngsters Thomas du Toit and Andre Esterhuizen have been added to the bench.

SHARKS (1-15): Dale Chadwick, Bismarck du Plessis (Captain), Jannie du Plessis, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marcell Coetzee, Renaldo Bothma, Tera Mtembu, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Heimar Williams, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, SP Marais

Reserves: Kyle Cooper, Thomas du Toit, Matt Stevens, Marco Wentzel, Jean Deysel, Conrad Hoffmann, Fred Zeilinga, Andre Esterhuizen

LIONS (1-15): Jacques van Rooyen, Malcolm Marx, Ruan Dreyer, Martin Muller, Franco Mostert, Derick Minnie, Warwick Tecklenburg, Warren Whiteley (c), Ross Cronje, Marnitz Boshoff, Courtnall Skosan, Howard Mnisi, Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck, Andries Coetzee.

Reserves: Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, JP du Preez, Ruaan Lerm, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Harold Vorster.

Originally published as Super Rugby round two teams: James O’Connor, Adam Thomson to debut for Reds; All Blacks big guns rolled out