Sevu Reece of the Crusaders. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
The Crusaders have made a big change in the midfield for this weekend's game in Suva against the Fijian Drua. Sevu Reece starts at centre, replacing an ineffective Levi Aumua as Rob Penney's side looks to rebuild after their upset loss to Moana Pasifika last weekend.
Scott Barrett is out on a rest week, replaced by Tahlor Cahill at lock with Quinten Strange returning from a long injury break to back up on the bench. Noah Hotham keeps his spot as the starting halfback, with Kyle Preston once again missing from the squad.
This shapes as a massive test for the Crusaders, who have never won in Fiji.
Other selection news:
Shaun Stevenson will play his 100th game for the Chiefs, starting at fullback for Friday night's top of the table clash with the Reds in Hamilton. Jahrome Brown and Quinn Tupaea are back in the starting line-up, with Brodie McAlister getting the nod at hooker over All Black Samisoni Taukei'aho.
One of Moana Pasifika's standouts last year, Fine Inisi, comes back in after a long injury layoff for their Saturday afternoon match against the Waratahs. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa is back at number eight and Kyren Tamoufolau comes back onto the wing a week after Moana's massive result against the Crusaders.
The Blues have named Beauden Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu to start for their game against the Hurricanes, however that is dependant on them making it through their final training on Thursday. Whatever happens, they will be bolstered by the return of Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, AJ Lam, Anton Segner and Adrian Choat.
Meanwhile, the Canes have kept the same starting team that thrashed the Tahs last weekend, with the only squad change being Ere Enari coming onto the bench in place of Jordi Viljoen.
The only change to the Highlanders' starting side is Ethan de Groot coming into the front row to replace Daniel Lienert-Brown. Jack Taylor and Michael Manson come onto the bench.
Team lists
Chiefs v Reds
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 4 April
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Shaun Stevenson scores during the Moana Pasifika v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe. Photo: Paul Taylor/ActionPress
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson, 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
Moana Pasifika v Waratahs
Kick-off: 2:05pm Saturday 5 April
North Harbour Stadium
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Samuel Slade, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Semisi Paea, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Fine Inisi
Fijian Drua v Crusaders
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 5 April
HFC Bank Park, Suva
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Fijian Drua fans at Churchill Park, Lautoka. Photo: Kirk Corrie/ActionPress
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Seb Calder, 4. Tahlor Cahill, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Sevu Reece, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Levi Aumua
Blues v Hurricanes
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 April
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Beauden Barrett. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Cameron Suafoa, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Xavi Taele, 23. Stephen Perofeta
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua (cc), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Callum Harkin, 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Highlanders v Force
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 5 April
HBF Park, Perth
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 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. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sefo Kautai, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Tanielu Tele'a, 23. Michael Manson
Brumbies - bye
