NSW gets boost after rival’s ‘unacceptable’ act

March 6, 2024 Sports 5 Views

The Highlanders have dropped captain Billy Harmon and flanker Sean Withy to the bench for Friday’s game against the Waratahs for disciplinary reasons.

“A couple of players this week were late for a team meeting. Part of our standards this year is no matter who it is, it’s unacceptable and you lose your place in the team,” Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said.

Read on for all the latest round Super Rugby Pacific team news.

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MOANA PASIFIKA vs REBELS in Hamilton, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT

Rebels coach Kevin Foote has made some interesting changes to his team to play Moana Pasifika, including shifting key man Andrew Kellaway.

Kellaway has moved from fullback to the left wing with Jake Strachan slotting into the No.15 jersey.

“We understand the threats they pose across the park,” Rebels lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said.

“Their physical threat is something we have got to combat, and we’ve got a physical threat to match them.”

MOANA (15-1): Danny Toala, Pepesana Patafilo, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Anzelo Tuitavuki, William Havili, Ere Enari, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sione Mafielo, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole

Reserves: Tomasi Maka, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Melani Matavao, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau

REBELS (15-1): Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Andrew Kellaway, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Rob Leota (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Josh Kemeny, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon

Reserves: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Lukas Ripley

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

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WARATAHS vs HIGHLANDERS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT

Wallabies centre Izaia Perese will return from concussion to start in a buoyant Waratahs side following their upset win against the Crusaders.

Perese replaces Harry Wilson in the NSW starting lineup while Triston Reilly comes in for Dylan Pietsch on the left wing.

WARATAHS (15-1): Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Mahe Vailanu, Angus Bell

Reserves: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Fergus-Lee Warner, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (c)

Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe

Referee: Damon Murphy

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FIJIAN DRUA vs CRUSADERS in Lautoka, Saturday 12.05pm kickoff AEDT

DRUA (15-1): Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Apisalome Vota, Epeli Momo, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Mesake Vocevoce, Jone Koroiduadua, Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet

Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Mesake Doge, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Junior Ratuva

CRUSADERS (15-1): Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Taha Kemara, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower

Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Jone Rova, Riley Hohepa

Referee: Nic Berry

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BRUMBIES vs FORCE in Canberra, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT

BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan (c), Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tom Hooper, Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Sefo Kautai, Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper,

Reserves: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford

FORCE (15-1): Max Burey, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Michael Wells, Jeremy Williams (c), Tom Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon

Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman

Referee: Dan Waenga

HURRICANES vs BLUES in Wellington, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT

Sam Darry’s serious knee injury has opened the door for Cameron Suafoa to start in the Blues second row on Saturday.

Darry has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks with an MCL injury.

All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Finlay Christie also return to the starting lineup after their “load management” rest last weekend.

Akira Ioane has been switched from blindside flanker to No.8.

“We’re expecting a fierce battle up front and so his no nonsense approach to the game will help us gain ascendancy in that area on Saturday night,” Blues coach Vern Cotter said.

HURRICANES (15-1): Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor (co-c), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, TK Howden, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tevita Mafileo

Reserves: James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi

BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Cole Forbes

Referee: Jordan Way

REDS vs CHIEFS in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT

REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Mac Grealy, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (co-c), Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan

CHIEFS (15-1): Josh Ioane, Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross

Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe