Key Team Changes for Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific
Despite growing calls for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to be shifted to the backfield, NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has kept the $5 million code-hopper at outside centre for their make-or-break clash against the Highlanders across the ditch. But there have been four significant changes to the Waratahs’ starting side, including the loss of captain Matt Philip.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has also welcomed back Carter Gordon, but the Test playmaker will come off the bench for his side’s huge trans-Tasman fixture against the Chiefs in Brisbane.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has largely kept the faith with his side despite losing three straight matches for the first time since 2018 – but Force counterpart Simon Cron has tweaked his forward pack after welcoming back a regular starter.
The other big news is across the ditch, with All Blacks No.9 Cam Roigard and his Test teammate, Ruben Love, ruled out of the Hurricanes’ clash against Moana Pasifika.
Crusaders v Blues
Fri 8 May: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (5.05pm kickoff AEST)
Blues coach Vern Cotter might have anticipated that Crusaders coach Rob Penney might use their local derby to welcome back some heavy hitters. Instead, it was the Blues coach who turned heads.
Indeed, for the second straight match, the respected coach kept Beauden Barrett on the bench with Stephen Perofeta once again preferred in the No.10 jersey for the 2024 Super Rugby champions.
Cotter said the decision to leave Barrett on the bench, as well as Test halfback Finlay Christie, was as much about managing minutes as it was trying to finish the game strongly.
“It gives Beauden and Fin a bit of time to sit back and have a role off the bench, which will be important to us,” Cotter said.
“If you want a result later in the season, especially down in Christchurch, you need a strong 23. We’re looking to shift the game a bit. It gives Beauden and opportunity to come off the bench. He’s not on his own. It’s about mixing up game time and making sure we’re getting the right balance. We’re looking at three games to make the top six.”
The Blues might be in second spot on the competition standings on 38 points, but they still face a fight to secure a place in the quarter-finals with the high-flying Hurricanes (40), Chiefs (36) and Queensland Reds (27) all hunting a top three spot. The Crusaders are also level with the Reds on 27 points.
The Crusaders might still be without Will Jordan and Scott Barrett, but they have regained the services of Sevu Reece. After missing the past fortnight with illness, Super Rugby’s greatest tryscorer was named on the right wing.
His return helps offset the loss of playmaker Taha Kemera (knee) and versatile back Brayden Ennor (hamstring). Despite losing Kemara, Rob Penney has a quality player to throw into the mix with last year’s championship-winning flyhalf Rivez Reihana named in the No.10 jersey.
George Bower has been named at loose-head prop for his 100th Super Rugby match and is joined in a formidable front-row trio alongside All Blacks Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell. Regular back Leicester Fainga’anuku continues in the No.7 jersey for the third straight match.
CRUSADERS (1-15):
George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leciester Fainga’anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements:
George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Cooper Grant, Kurtis Macdonald
BLUES (1-15):
Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Sam Matenga, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Malachi Wrampling, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Kade Banks, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements:
James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele
Referee:
Angus Gardner
TMO:
Graham Cooper
Reds v Chiefs
Fri 8 May: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (7.35pm kickoff AEST)
Carter Gordon is back for the Reds, but the Test playmaker will come off the bench after Les Kiss kept the faith with in-form No.10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. Gordon replaces Ben Volavola on the bench in a timely return a month out from the finals.
The other key change sees Lachie Anderson return from a long injury lay-off, with the former sevens flyer replacing Tim Ryan, who has been rotated out of the side.
It’s not all good news though, with former Chiefs centurion Aidan Ross ruled out of the fixture. The Wallabies prop has been replaced by George Blake, with Jeffery Toomaga-Allen preferred to come off the bench.
The trans-Tasman fixture is a make or break one for their top three aspirations, with the fourth-placed Reds nine points adrift of the third-placed Chiefs (36) with another three matches to follow.
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes has decided to bring All Blacks regular Samisoni Taukei’aho off the bench. Fellow All Black Cortez Ratima will also be injected off the bench alongside Josh Jacomb and Wallaby Lalakai Foketi.
Damian McKenzie will wear the No.10 jersey, with in-form centre Quinn Tupaea outside him and squaring off against Wallabies hopeful Hunter Paisami.
REDS (1-15):
George Blake, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements:
Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard
CHIEFS (1-15):
Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Kyren Taumoefolau, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements:
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Fiti Sa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi
Referee:
Marcus Playle
TMO:
Glenn Newman
Highlands vs NSW Waratahs
Sat 9 May: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (2.35pm AEST)
Despite being missing in action last week, Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has kept Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre for his side’s now-or-never clash against the Highlanders.
The code-hopper was kept to just two run metres in attack upon return from a hamstring injury last week.
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui was one of several pundits who called for Suaalii to be shifted to the backfield throughout the week.
“I think it’s time to shelve that 13 experiment (for Suaalii),” he said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
“I understand at the Wallabies it might be different, but at the Waratahs, they’ve got to be selfish now, and they’ve got to find a way to free up space. He’s a get the ball in his hands early guy, and let him create doubt. That’s the way I’ve said it all the way along, and I haven’t seen any evidence to change my mind.”
McKellar, however, has doubled down on the selection.
“We just had no ball (against the Force) and that’s the reality, we had a plan to get Su into the game a whole lot more than what he was,” McKellar said.
“He copped a bump pretty early on, which certainly restricted him as well. Thankfully, he’s overcome that. He’s been selected at 13 this week and I’ve said many times before, there’s an open mind around where he plays now and where he plays in the future. He’s very focused on what he needs to do. Obviously, last year we played him at 15. He played five or six games last year and performed pretty well. He’s been in the 13 jersey for the Wallabies. Up until this point, we thought we’d keep that consistency around position and try to unlock what is a pretty unique talent. Regardless of what number he’s got on his back, he can be used effectively. Unfortunately, last Friday night the game didn’t allow that. We’ve got the roof on on Saturday afternoon. We know we’re going to get good conditions, playing against a team that likes to play a fast, attacking style of rugby and certainly didn’t show that on Friday night. I talk to him about it (scrutiny) and he’s very measured, I don’t think he spends a whole lot of time reading articles.”
McKellar has tweaked his inside backs, with Jack Debreczeni named in the No.10 jersey and Lawson Creighton returned at inside centre to partner Suaalii in the midfield.
Dan Botha returns at tight-head prop after missing last week’s 20-17 defeat to the Force because of suspension, but regular loose-head prop Tom Lambert has been ruled out. His absence sees Isaac Kailea return.
Regular captain Matt Philip will also miss the match, with halfback Jake Gordon given the captaincy duties.
Jack Bowen and Wallabies flyer Harry Potter have also been named on the bench after being used sparingly in 2026.
Saturday afternoon’s fixture will define the Waratahs’ season, with McKellar’s side locked in a tight tussle to return to the six-team knockout stages.
Locked on 20 points alongside the Fijian Drua and Highlanders, the Waratahs are five points adrift of the sixth-placed Brumbies (25).
Jamie Joseph’s side missed a golden opportunity to put more pressure on the Brumbies when they slipped up against the Drua last week in Fiji, but they will fancy their chances of beating the Waratahs.
The Highlanders’ front-row remains their strength, with All Blacks brick Ethan de Groot named in the No.1 jersey alongside his Test teammate Angus Ta’avao.
Argentina international Tomas Lavanini returns to the second row.
All Blacks hopeful Caleb Tangitau also returns on the wing.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15):
Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta’avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Lucas Casey, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements:
Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nic Shearer, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris
WARATAHS (1-15):
Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements:
Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Potter
Referee:
Damon Murphy
TMO:
James Leckie
Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
Sat 9 May: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
The Hurricanes will fancy themselves to stretch their lead at the top of the standings against Moana Pasifika, but coach Clark Laidlaw has lost a couple of key men.
In particular, the Hurricanes have lost regular halves Cam Roigard (calf) and Ruben Love (ankle). In their place Ereatara Enari and Lucas Cashmore start.
Jordie Barrett has also been given a spell, with Jone Rova to start at inside centre.
In better news, rampaging winger Kini Naholo will make his return from the bench after a long injury lay-off.
MOANA PASIFIKA (1-15):
Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Allan Craig, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Augustine Pulu, William Havili, Tuna Tuitama, Faletoi Peni, Solomon Alaimalo, Israel Leota, Glen Vaihu
Replacements:
Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Falevia, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
HURRICANES (1-15):
Pouri Rakete-Stones, Vernon Bason, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Fehi Fieanganofo, Jone Rova, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements:
Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo
Referee:
Angus Mabey
TMO:
Aaron Paterson
ACT Brumbies vs Western Force
Sat 9 May: GIO Stadium, Canberra
After losing three straight matches, the Brumbies have welcomed back Test stalwart Allan Alaalatoa just in the nick of time.
The tight-head prop has missed the past two defeats, but the experienced Wallaby makes a timely return to a Brumbies side down on confidence and facing a fight to stay in the top six.
Alaalatoa is joined in the front-row by Lachie Lonergan, who starts ahead of Billy Pollard.
Larkham has otherwise named unchanged pack.
The World Cup winner has made two changes to his backline, however, with Hudson Creighton starting at No.13 ahead of Kadin Pritchard, while Ollie Sapsford starts ahead of Andy Muirhead.
The decision to start Sapsford ahead of Muirhead is likely an attempt to minimise the impact of Zac Lomax in the air, with the cross-code star a huge target for the Force in recent weeks.
After winning three of their past four matches, the Force will fancy their chances of winning their second straight game in Canberra over the Brumbies.
If they do, Simon Cron’s men, who are seven points adrift the Brumbies, will fancy their chances of making a late push to qualify for their maiden finals berth.
Helping their efforts will be the return of Vaiolini Ekuasi, with the damaging ball-runner named in the No.8 jersey after missing last week for personal reasons.
BRUMBIES (1-15):
James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Toby Macpherson, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
Replacements:
Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Chris Mickelson, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Andy Muirhead
FORCE (1-15):
Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements:
Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa’agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Referee:
Nic Berry
TMO:
Brett Cronan
BYE:
Fijian Drua
- with Sam Worthington
