Brumbies move to slow rugby’s ‘Harlem Globetrotters’
Updated . First published
The rubber is about to meet the road as the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying finals kick off in New Zealand and live on Stan Sport this weekend.
The three winners will advance to the semi-finals along with the highest-ranked losing team.
Coach Clark Laidlaw of the Hurricanes and All Blacks selector Sir Graham Henry arrive at NZCIS in Wellington. Hagen Hopkins
Hurricanes (1) v ACT Brumbies (6)
FRI JUNE 5: Hnry Stadium, Wellington (5.05pm kickoff AEST)
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has been able to name a near full-strength team to host the ACT Brumbies in the opening final in Wellington.
With the minor premiership already locked up, the Hurricanes rested many of their Test stars in last weekend’s 47-14 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Winger Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring) and loose forward Devan Flanders (concussion) remain sidelined but Laidlaw was happy with the look of his match-day 23.
“It’s great to have such a strong squad available at this time of the year, with most of the squad fit and available to select from,” Laidlaw said.
“We’re welcoming back our captains Dupes (Du’Plessis Kirifi) and Jordie (Barrett), which gives us leadership in playoff rugby. With so much of our squad having shared experiences over the last few years of the knockout stages, it gives us real confidence around our preparation and how we play.”
The Brumbies have beaten the Hurricanes in three of the last four finals series - but all of those games were in Canberra.
“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for the Brumbies. They’re a high quality team that can always get to the playoffs and we’ve got recent history in knockout games with them, so we understand the challenge that’s coming from them,” Laidlaw said.
“We’ve played them under the roof in Christchurch during Super Round. I’m sure it’s going to be different conditions and a different game, but one we really can’t wait for on Friday night.”
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, meanwhile, has made two changes to his starting lineup after last weekend’s shock 21-19 loss to Moana Pasifika in Canberra.
Hooker Lachlan Lonergan and flanker Luke Reimer come in for Billy Pollard and Rory Scott respectively.
Morgan Turinui had suggested promoting breakdown specialist Reimer into the starting lineup on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
“You just cannot let them have any quick ball. Kill every ball we have to, and if it’s a 50/50, we’d rather give the penalty away than let them have fast ball,” Turinui said.
“They’ve just got to make this an arm wrestle. They’ve got to make this the tough stuff, a lot of mauling, a lot of close quarter stuff, they don’t want to go toe-to-toe with the Harlem Globetrotters. If it’s expansive, high tempo and chaotic, then they probably don’t stick with them.”
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Ngane Punivai
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Todd Petries, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
Crusaders (3) v Blues (4)
SAT JUNE 6: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (2.35pm kickoff AEST)
The Crusaders have been forced into a reshuffle in the front row, with Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder both ruled out through injury.
George Bower shifts from loosehead to tighthead prop, with Gus Brown named among the reserves and in line for a possible debut.
“Gus has been in the organisation for a couple of years now and developing away in the background,” Crusaders coach Rob Penney said.
“He’s been on the cusp of earning his chance, and now we’ve got an opportunity to give him an opportunity on a big occasion.”
Ethan Blackadder and Fletcher Newell of the Crusaders celebrate. Getty
Despite recent results, Penney expects a strong response from the Blues.
“They’re a quality side and they’ll be hurting. If you give them an inch, they’ll take it, so we’ll have to be right on.”
Meanwhile, the Blues will be without first-choice playmaker Beauden Barrett, who remains sidelined with a quad strain.
Stephen Perofeta will wear the No.10 jersey again while Blues coach Vern Cotter has been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu (neck) and hooker Bradley Slater (concussion).
“Finals rugby is where you find out a lot about yourselves as a group. We’ve worked hard to get here and now it’s about embracing the challenge that comes with a high stakes game,” Cotter said.
“The Crusaders have consistently been one of the benchmark teams in this competition and we know exactly what awaits us in Christchurch. The key is staying focused on our roles, bringing energy to the contest and backing the work we’ve put in throughout the season.”
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, George Bower, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Jack Sexton, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Braydon Ennor
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Payton Spencer
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley; TMO: Brett Cronan
Chiefs (2) v Queensland Reds (5)
SAT June 6: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEST)
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes has recalled seven All Blacks to his starting XV for Saturday’s qualifying final against the Queensland Reds in Hamilton.
Damian McKenzie will start at No.10 having missed the last two games with concussion, while Luke Jacobson returns to captain the side from openside flanker.
The Chiefs thrashed the Blues 59-34 last weekend with an understrength lineup.
“It speaks volumes of the depth we have here at the Chiefs,” McKenzie said.
“We have the mindset of the next man up and when guys get an opportunity they make the most of it. It’s not just any other game, it’s a qualifying final and we have to make sure we earn our week by training really well and just taking it one week at a time.
“At the start of the year you want to get to this end of the season and be in contention, and we’ve put ourselves in contention. Now it’s about focusing on what’s in front of us. The boys are really excited to rip in this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Reds coach Les Kiss has made four changes to his starting lineup after beating the Fijian Drua in Brisbane last weekend.
In come hooker Josh Nasser, flanker Joe Brial, centre Filipo Daugunu and fullback Jock Campbell.
Seru Uru (back) and Hunter Paisami (knee) are out injured while Matt Faessler and Treyvon Pritchard drop back to the bench.
“Filipo again shows his great versatility after starting at wing, outside centre and inside centre for us previously as well as having a cameo at flanker late in one game,” Kiss said.
“His power in midfield and his ability to jackal will be a threat to contend with. There’s no doubt the understanding he has with Josh Flook is an asset for us.
Reds skipper Fraser McReight will play his 100th game for Queensland.
“Fraser stands tall in this place as one of the greats. To reach 100 games at 27 is a phenomenal achievement,” Kiss said.
“His impact at the Reds is obvious on the pitch with his jackalling skills, awareness in attack and his defensive workrate. However, his standing in the locker room and the club makes him one of the most important figures in Queensland rugby.”
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
