Live blog: Super Rugby Pacific round nine

The ninth round of Super Rugby Pacific continues when the Western Force host the Highlanders on Saturday. Follow the action in our live blog below.
Team News
Beauden Barrett will play his 150th Super Rugby match when the Blues host the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday. Harry Plummer will also bring up a milestone when he runs out for his 50th Blues appearance.
Captain Dalton Papali’i has been ruled out of the clash with a rib injury, so All Black Patrick Tuipulotu will lead the team in his absence.
As for the Waratahs, they’ll be without a number of their key players – including veteran Michael Hooper.
Darren Coleman has included six new players in the run-on side, as well as three possible debutants on the bench.
As for the final game of the round, the Highlanders are missing All Blacks Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava for their trip to Perth.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the men from the far south.
Following their bye week, the Highlanders have welcomed back Freddie Burns, Fabian Holland, Connor Garden-Bachop, Will Tucker, Mitch Hunt and Josh Timu.
Chiefs vs Fijian Drua – Daniel Rona (Chiefs), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs)
Melbourne Rebels vs Crusaders – David Havili (Crusaders), Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
Blues vs NSW Waratahs – Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), Beauden Barrett (Blues), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)
To come…
Western Force vs Highlanders
MVP candidates leader board (updated)
12 points – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
11 points – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)
9 points – Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
8 points – Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
6 points – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Beauden Barrett (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 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), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes)
4 points – Carter Gordon (Rebels), Iosefo Masi (Drua), Josh Flook (Reds), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders), Tom Wright (Brumbies)
3 points – Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes), Ben O’Donnell (Brumbies), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Daniel Rona (Chiefs), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Finlay Christie (Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), James Slipper (Brumbies), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), Salestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Tate McDermott (Reds), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders)
2 points – 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), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Nic White (Brumbies), Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Taj Annan (Reds), Tane Edmed (Waratahs), Tim Anstee (Force)
1 point – Abraham Pole (Moana), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), 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), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)
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I personally think Jeff Wilson and JK is still upset what the boks did to them 35-7. Comments with boks cant play better etc. At the moment I would rather be a bok supporter then a AB supporter. That is just the nature of the elephant in the room one day your team is the best and the next day they lose with record margins. Sorry guys what you have to say is irrelevant World Cup only starts at playoff games anything before then is just getting you sharp, boks proved it in 2019. Boks - Ireland final would have like to play AB in the final but can't see them beating Ireland.
Go to commentsGo brave blossoms!! I will believe you!
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