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Live blog: Super Rugby Pacific round 10
The 10th round of Super Rugby Pacific continues on Saturday when the Queensland Reds host the Western Force in Brisbane. Follow the action in the live blog below.
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Round 10 headlines
Possible All Blacks bolter continues to impress for Hurricanes
Hurricanes edge Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific thriller
Waratahs take their first NZ Super scalp with last-gasp score
Team news
Playmaker Beauden Barrett will play his 300th first-class match today when the Blues play the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
Barrett will start at flyhalf, and will look to lead a star-studded Blues side around the park in Fiji. Coach Leon MacDonald has made six changes to his run-on XV.
Dalton Papali’i is back at openside flanker this week, and will captain the team.
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In the second game today, the Rebels have made four changes to their starting side ahead of their crunch clash with Moana Pasifika.
Led by playmakers Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon, the Rebels will be desperate to win on Friday.
But the game of the round is undoubtedly a mouth-watering New Zealand blockbuster between the undefeated Chiefs and title holders the Crusaders in Hamilton.
The Chiefs have welcomed back some key All Blacks for this clash, including co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber.
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Weber has replaced rising star Cortez Ratima at halfback, and will partner dangerman Damian McKenzie in the halves.
But the Crusaders have a few tricks up their sleeve as well.
The defending Super Rugby Pacific champions have welcomed back some big name players, including All Blacks winger Leicester Fainga’anuku.
In the final game today, the Queensland Reds will host Australian rivals the Western Force in Brisbane.
MVP votes (3-2-1)
Hurricanes vs Brumbies – Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes), Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
Waratahs vs Highlanders – Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Drua vs Blues – Cameron Suafoa (Blues), Zarn Sullivan (Blues), Adrian Choat (Blues)
Moana vs Rebels – Monty Ioane (Rebels), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels)
Chiefs vs Crusaders – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Sam Cane (Chiefs)
MVP candidates leader board (updated)
15 points – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
12 points – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
11 points – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)
10 points – Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
8 points – Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
7 points – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
6 points – Beauden Barrett (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Emoni Narawa (Chiefs), Hamish Stewart (Force), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Mark Telea (Blues), Richard Hardwick (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Tevita Ikanivere (Drua)
5 points – David Havili (Crusaders), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes)
4 points – Iosefo Masi (Drua), Josh Flook (Reds), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Tom Wright (Brumbies)
3 points – Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes), Ben O’Donnell (Brumbies), Bryce Hegarty (Force), Cameron Suafoa (Blues), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Daniel Rona (Chiefs), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Finlay Christie (Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), James Slipper (Brumbies), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Monty Ioane (Rebels), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), Salestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Tate McDermott (Reds), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders), Tim Anstee (Force), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)
2 points – Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Brad Weber, Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Billy Harmon (Highlanders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Dallas McLeod (Crusaders), Danny Toala (Moana), Fraser McReight (Reds), Harry Wilson (Reds), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Jamie Booth (Hurricanes), Kitione Salawa (Drua), Levi Aumua (Moana), Luke Reimer (Brumbies), Manasa Mataele (Force), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Nic White (Brumbies), Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Taj Annan (Reds), Tane Edmed (Waratahs)
1 point – Abraham Pole (Moana), Adrian Choat (Blues), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Anton Segner (Blues), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs), Eroni Sau (Drua), Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Josh Moorby (Hurricanes), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Drua), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Liam Wright (Reds), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Nepo Laulala (Blues), Nikora Broughton (Highlanders), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), Ollie Callan (Force), Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds)
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
45 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
45 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
45 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
45 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
45 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
45 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
45 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments