Super rugby Pacific round three will finally see Super rugby’s newest team Moana Pasifika play their first match. Unfortunately, they face Super rugby’s most successful team the Crusaders which is arguably the toughest start.
This weekend there are six matches with three on Friday and three on Saturday. There are no Sunday matches.
The Fijian Drua were scheduled to play the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium but due to bad weather, that match has been moved to the Sunshine Coast Stadium and will be played on Friday.
The Brumbies and Crusaders currently lead the Super Rugby pacific standings and the bookmakers have predicted wins for both sides so it looks like they will retain their lead for another week.
Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders
Date :Friday 4 March
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local:19:05
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Fraser Hannon
TMO :Chris Hart
Teams
Moana Pasifika (1-15):
Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Luteru Tolai, Sekope Kepu (c), Mike McKee, Sam Slade, Solomone Funaki, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga’anuku, Will Havili
Replacements :Samieula Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Joe Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali’ifano, Fine Inisi
Crusaders (1-15):
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange (c), Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickley, Kini Naholo, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, George Bridge, Chay Fihaki
Replacements:Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Isaiah Punivai
Western Force v Reds Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Western Force v Reds
Date :Friday 4 March
Venue : HBF Park, Perth
Kick Off local:19:00
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 1: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan Kaminski
TMO :Kyle Burnett
Teams
Western Force (1-15):
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Ollie Callan, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
Replacements: Jack Winchester, Harry Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Kane Koteka, Ian Prior, Jake McIntrye, Grason Makara
Queensland Reds (1-15):
Dane Zander, Josh Nasser, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (c), Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuiana Tualima, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy
Fijian Drua vs Rebels Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Fijian Drua vs Melbourne Rebels
Date :Friday 4 March
Venue : Sunshine Coast Stadium
Kick Off local: 18:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Reuben Keane
Assistant Ref 2: James Palmer
TMO :Brett Cronan
Teams
Fijian Drua (1-15):
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Baden Kerr
Replacements :Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Rusiate Nasove, Joshua Vuta, Teti Tela, Jona Mataiciwa
Melbourne Rebels (1-15):
Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Josh Canham, Michael Wells (c), Brad Wilkin, Tamati Ioane, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua, Glen Vaihu, Ray Nu’u, Lukas Ripley, Young Tonumaipea, Carter Gordon
Replacements:Efi Ma’afu, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Hill, Sam Wallis, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Ilikena Vudogo
Blues vs Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Blues vs Chiefs
Date :Saturday 5 March
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Kick Off local: 16:35
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Mabey
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Winter
TMO : Richard Kelly
Teams
Blues (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Stephen Perofeta
Replacements:Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Beauden Barett/Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sione Mafileo, Josh Lord, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Cane (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Waber (co-c), Josh Ioane, Etene Nani-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia
Replacements:Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Anton Lienert-Brown
Hurricanes vs Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Date :Saturday 5 March
Venue : Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off local:19:05
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Jono Bredin
TMO :Glenn Newman
Teams
Hurricanes (1-15):
Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Reed Prinsep, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Salesi Rayasi, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett
Replacements: Siua Maile, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Highlanders (1-15):
Ethan de Groot, Liam Coltman, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryn Evans, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Marty Banks, Scott Gregory
Brumbies vs Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific Preview
Match Officials and details
Match : Brumbies vs Waratahs
Date :Saturday 5 March
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local:19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Reuben Keane
Assistant Ref 2:Matt Kellahan
TMO :James Leckie
Teams
Brumbies (1-15):
James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg
Waratahs (1-15):
Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Turner, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Newsome
Replacements: Tom Horton, Tetetra Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harrison, Tevita Funa