Kyren Taumoefolau and Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Super Rugby Pacific heads into a shortened fortnight, with four teams taking their byes this weekend and next. It means there's only four games per round, starting with the Hurricanes coming off their bye week to face the Waratahs on Friday night.
They'll be doing it without Harry Godfrey, who has been one of their most influential players in a disappointing season so far.
Godfrey has suffered a leg injury and will miss up to six weeks, with Brett Cameron out for the season it means Riley Hohepa will start at first five.
Kade Banks and Fatafehi Fineanganofo are the back reserves, which presumably means Ruben Love is the backup at 10 if Hohepa goes down.
Other selection news:
The Havili brothers are set to collide in Christchurch, with David captaining the Crusaders and William starting at fullback for Moana Pasifika.
Both have been in good form so far this season, William especially since Patrick Pellegrini has taken over at first five for Moana.
Ardie Savea is back for this fixture too after missing Moana's match against the Chiefs. Last weekend's captain Tom Savage drops to the bench, with Sam Slade and Allan Craig starting at lock.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders have moved Timoci Tavatavanawai back to the midfield, with Tanielu Tele'a dropping to the bench. Jona Nareki comes back onto the left wing, while Daniel Lienert-Brown returns from suspension at prop.
Super Rugby Pacific standings after round six. Photo: supplied
Team lists
Hurricanes v Waratahs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 28 March
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua (cc), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Zach Gallagher, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Bailyn Sullivan, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Jordi Viljoen, 22. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 23. Kade Banks
Brumbies v Highlanders
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 28 March
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. TK Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Sam Gilbert
Bench: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sefo Kautai, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Ajay Faleafaga, 23. Tanielu Tele'a
Crusaders v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 29 March
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Ioane Moananu, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Fletcher Anderson, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. James O'Connor, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Xavier Saifoloi, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Levi Aumua
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Samuel Slade, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Alamanda Motuga, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Tuna Tuitama
Also:
Reds v Force
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 29 March
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Chiefs, Blues, Fijian Drua have the bye
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