Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has rested five Wallabies for Friday’s heavyweight clash with the defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders in Christchurch.
And Waratahs boss Darren Coleman has made seven changes to his injury hit side for the date with the pacesetting Chiefs in Sydney.
Keep checking in for all the latest round five team news.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
White snipes for first Brumbies try
CRUSADERS vs BRUMBIES in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm AEDT
You would never accuse the proud ACT Brumbies of tanking but coach Stephen Larkham appears to be picking his battles after resting five Wallabies for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
James Slipper, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Nic White and Tom Wright will all sit out under Australia’s Rugby World Cup resting policy, taking some shine off a heavyweight bout between the unbeaten Brumbies and the defending champion Crusaders.
The Brumbies have been further weakened by injuries to Wallabies Len Ikitau and Darcy Swain although captain Allan Alaalatoa does return to bolster the bench.
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“We’ve laid a good foundation for the season in the first couple of weeks and we’re excited to get back to New Zealand as a group and take on this challenge against a side we have a lot of respect for,” Larkham said.
“We’ve had to rotate in a few areas, but we’ve backed our depth and our connection as a squad from the start and every player who gets on the plane knows the responsibility that comes with the jersey.”
The Crusaders have also been hit by injuries to stars, with Sam Whitelock breaking his hand against the Blues and Sevu Reece suffering what is believed to be a season ending knee injury.
CRUSADERS (15-1): Fergus Burke, Pepesana Patafilo, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Zach Gallagher, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, George Bower, Dominic Gardiner, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Will Gaulter, Chay Fihaki
BRUMBIES (15-1): Andy Muirhead, Ben O’Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan (c), Charlie Cale, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Cadeyrn Neville, Jack Wright, Sefo Kautai, Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Fred Kaihea, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Pedro Rolando, Jack Debreczeni, Declan Meredith
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Jorgensen plants one in the corner
WARATAHS vs CHIEFS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm AEDT
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has made seven changes to his starting XV to tackle the pacesetting Chiefs at Allianz Stadium.
Injuries continue to ravage the NSW squad with Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Mahe Vailanu, Tane Edmed and Mosese Tuipulotu all ruled out following the loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
On the positive side of the ledger, Te Tera Faulkner, Jed Holloway and Dylan Pietsch are all available again.
Former sevens star Ben Dowling has been named at fullback in place of Jorgensen.
“Coming off a disappointing loss in Wellington, we’ve sustained a significant number of injuries, but the beauty of our squad this year is our depth and we’re still able to name a very strong XV with some talent and impact coming off the bench,” Coleman said.
“The team has been disappointed in its performances over the past two weeks and can’t wait to get back to our house and put in a performance that our fans will be proud of.”
The unbeaten Chiefs, meanwhile, welcome back four All Blacks to their starting lineup: Damian McKenzie, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Brad Weber.
WARATAHS (15-1): Ben Dowling, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Te Tera Faulkner
Reserves: Tolu Latu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Taniela Seu, Zac von Appen, Harrison Goddard, Harry Wilson, Nemani Nadolo
CHIEFS (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-c), Samipeni Finau, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Brodie Retallick, John Ryan, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson
Referee: Jordan Way
Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles review Kids Round, reflect on Ireland’s grand slam and try to pick the fastest player in Super Rugby Pacific
HIGHLANDERS vs FIJIAN DRUA in Dunedin, Saturday 2.35pm AEDT
HIGHLANDERS (TBC)
DRUA (TBC)
Referee: Paul Williams
Hurricanes rookie gets two on debut
MOANA PASIFIKA vs HURRICANES in Auckland, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT
MOANA (TBC)
HURRICANES (TBC)
Referee: Reuben Keane
Vunivalu back in try-scoring form
REBELS vs REDS in Melbourne, Saturday 7.35pm AEDT
REBELS (TBC)
REDS (TBC)
Referee: Graham Cooper
Blues star strikes first in blockbuster
BLUES vs FORCE in Auckland, Sunday 1.35pm AEDT
BLUES (TBC)
FORCE (TBC)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
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