Super Rugby Pacific resumes this weekend with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders in Dunedin.
Moana Pasifika’s match against the Chiefs has been postponed so they both get the weekend off and this means that instead of six matches there are just five this weekend.
Friday has two matches and Saturday has three matches. Due to the postponement, there is no match this Sunday.
Here we name the teams that have been released ahead of the matches this weekend and provide the match officials and bookies’ predictions.
Highlanders v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific Teams and match officials
Match Officials and details
Match : Highlanders v Crusaders
Date :Friday 25 February
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:05
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO :Chris Hart
Teams
Highlanders
Ethan de Groot, Liam Coltman , Jermaine Ainsley , Manaaki Selby-Rickit , Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes (Co-Vice Captain), Gareth Evans , Aaron Smith (Captain) , Mitch Hunt (Co-Vice Captain), Josh TImu , Thomas Umaga-Jensen , Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop
Replacements :Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown , Josh Hohneck , Bryn Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava , Marty Banks, Hugh Renton
Unavailable due to injury: Andrew Makalio (calf)
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Samuel Whitelock , 5. Scott Barrett (C), 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitch Drummond, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili (VC), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece , 15. Will Jordan
Replacements:, 16. Shilo Klein, 17. George Bower, 18. Tamaiti Williams, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow*, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Simon Hickey, 23. George Bridge
*denotes Crusaders debut
Waratahs v Reds Super Rugby Pacific Teams and match officials
Match Officials and details
Match : Waratahs v Reds
Date :Friday 25 February
Venue : Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Kick Off local:19:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2:Matt Kellahan
TMO :James Leckie
Teams
Waratahs
Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Geoff Cridge, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, James Turner, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Newsome
Replacements: Tom Horton, Te Tera Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Jamie Roberts
Reds
Feao Fotuaika, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy
Brumbies v Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific Teams and match officials
Match Officials and details
Match : Brumbies v Fijian Drua
Date :GIO Stadium, Canberra
Venue : Saturday 26 February
Kick Off local:14:35
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2:Damon Murphy
TMO :Brett Cronan
Teams
Brumbies
James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Jahrome Brown, Nic White, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg
Fijian Drua
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Nemani Nagusa (c), Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Onisi Ratave, Baden Kerr
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Meli Derenalagi, Joseva Tamani, Peni Matawalu, Napolioni Bolaca
Blues v Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific Teams and match officials
Match Officials and details
Match : Blues v Hurricanes
Date : Saturday 26 February
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local:19:05
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1:Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2:Marcus Playle
TMO :Chris Hart
Teams
Blues
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Tanielu Tele’a
Hurricanes
Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Justin Sangster, Reed Prinsep, Blake Gibson, Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Bailyn Sullivan, Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Ben May, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Ruben Love, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Melbourne Rebels v Western Force Super Rugby Pacific Teams and match officials
Match Officials and details
Match : Melbourne Rebels v Western Force
Date : Saturday 26 February
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local:19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Jordan way
Assistant Ref 2: James Palmer
TMO :Oli Kellett
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
Cameron Orr, Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eboff, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Wallis, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), Joe Powell, Matt To’ouma, Glen Vaihu, Raymond Nu’u, Stacey Ili, Lachie Anderson, Reece Hodge
Replacements: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Sef Fa’agase, Thomas Nowlan, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Young Tonumaipea
Western Force
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Harrison Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Byron Ralston