Make sure to check out the selections for Round 9 of Super Rugby Aotearoa, before making any wagers this weekend.
Hurricanes v Chiefs (Saturday, 09:05, Wellington)
Wings Kobus van Wyk and Wes Goosen have been selected in the Hurricanes starting lineup for their Super Rugby Aotearoa clash with the Chiefs in Wellington on Saturday.
The Hurricanes clinched a stunning upset win over the Crusaders in round seven a fortnight ago, but enjoyed a bye last week.
For their return to action, coach Jason Holland has made four changes to his side.
Van Wyk comes into the backline to fill the void left by the departed Ben Lam. But Van Wyk slots in at right wing, with Goosen – who will be playing in his 50th game for the Hurricanes – switching over to left wing.
The injury-enforced absence of Ngani Laumape has Vince Aso slotting in at inside centre, alongside Peter Umaga-Jensen in midfield.
In a double change to the front row, hooker Dane Coles and loosehead prop Ben May have both recovered sufficiently from injury to return to the run-on XV this week.
Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara (c-c), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles (c-c), 1 Ben May.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Kane Le’aupepe, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Jonah Lowe.
Aaron Cruden and Lachlan Boshier have been left out of the Chiefs’ final game of the season against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
Going into their last match, coach Warren Gatland has made five changes to the Chiefs team as he hopes to end their wretched losing streak.
In the back division, Kaleb Trask is back as the starting flyhalf with Cruden dropping out of the match 23.
In the pack, Boshier has been rested with Luke Jacobson taking over at flank in his absence.
The three other changes occur in the tight five, where lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi, hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and loosehead prop Ollie Norris slot into the run-on XV at the expense of Tupou Vaa’i, Bradley Slater and Reuben O’Neill.
Chiefs – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris.
Subs: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Rob Cobb, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Kini Naholo.
Crusaders v Highlanders (Sunday, 05:35, Christchurch)
Scott Robertson has made several changes to his Crusaders lineup for their game against the Highlanders in Christchurch on Sunday.
All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody returns to the starting side this week, having missed the match against the Chiefs in Hamilton due to a family bereavement, while vice-captain Whetu Douglas and centre Braydon Ennor have come through training this week to make their respective returns from injury.
Douglas’ return at number eight sees Tom Sanders move back to the flank, and Sione Havili takes a spot in the reserves.
The promotion of Quinten Strange to the starting side is the only other change in the pack, with Luke Romano providing cover on the bench and Mitchell Dunshea rested for this game.
Ennor’s inclusion in the midfield is one of only two changes in the backline, with Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond rotating so that Hall starts at scrumhalf and Drummond will provide important impact off the bench.
The Highlanders have recalled wing Jona Nareki to start against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday.
Nareki has started on the bench for the past two games, but he will now get an opportunity to start after making a big impact as a substitute.
Ngatugnane Punivai also returns to the squad after missing several games with concussion.
‘Playing the Crusaders, we know we will have to be tuned in from the very start but it’s another great opportunity for our guys to prove themselves against the competition leaders,’ coach Aaron Mauger said.
Crusaders – 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Highlanders – 15 Mitch Hunt, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith (cc), 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Jeff Thwaites, 2 Ash Dixon (cc), 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Ngatugnane Punivai, 23 Jesse Parete.
