Super Rugby Pacific: Casey Starts for Highlanders, Laumape Debuts for Moana Pasifika
The opening weekend of Super Rugby Pacific promises exciting matchups and fresh faces, with several key players set to make their mark. A standout selection sees boom Otago rookie Lucas Casey handed a starting role at number eight for the Highlanders in their Friday night clash against the Crusaders.
The Highlanders will face a significant challenge after losing All Black lock Fabian Holland to a serious injury. Oliver Haig will partner with Mitch Dunshea in the second row to fill the void. Veteran prop Angus Ta’avao will feature for his fourth Super Rugby franchise, having previously represented the Blues, Waratahs, and Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have opted to keep All Blacks Codie Taylor and Will Jordan on the bench for the match. George Bell will start at hooker, and Chay Fihaki will feature at fullback, while Ethan Blackadder returns to the flanker position.
Elsewhere in the competition, Ngani Laumape is poised to make his debut for Moana Pasifika at second five, as they take on the Fijian Drua in Lautoka. The team will be led by Miracle Faiilagi in their first match of the post-Ardie Savea era.
In Auckland, the Blues have welcomed Bradley Slater and Pita Ahki into their starting lineup after their off-season signings. Torian Barnes will make his debut on the blindside. Their opponents, the Chiefs, have handed a debut to Kyren Taumoefolau on the right wing, with Josh Jacomb starting at first five, as Damian McKenzie is unavailable following the birth of his first child.
Here are the full team lists for the upcoming matches:
Highlanders v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday, February 13th
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ
Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy, 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16 Josh Bartlett, 18 Rohan Wingham, 20 Venri Lasi Lasina, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Seb Calder, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Chay Fihaki
Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Will Jordan
Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday, February 14th
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live blog updates on RNZ
Moana Pasifika: 1 Tito Tuipulotu, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 3 Chris Apoua, 4 Tom Savage, 5 Allan Craig, 6 Miracle Failagi (c), 7 Semisi Paea, 8 Semisi Tupou Taeiloa, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14 Tevita Ofa, 15 William Havili
Bench: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Feliti Sae-Taufo’ou, 19 Ofa Tauatevalu, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Giaosi Nginingini, 22 Denzel Samoa, 23 Glen Vaihu
Blues v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday, February 14th
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ
Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4 Sam Darry, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Torian Barnes, 7 Dalton Papali’I (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tpapaa, 18 Red Marcec, 19 l McWnnell,
Chiefs: 1 Jaley away, 2 lakhs Tinghan Das, Jomaid, Lamar-speys, 6-year-old Inquosed, Amen. 12 Acana from Berah, 13: 13 CW Ma,
Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown
Additional matches this weekend include the Waratahs hosting the Reds at 9:35pm Friday, and the Force taking on the Brumbies at 9:35pm Saturday. The Super Rugby Pacific season is set to deliver a thrilling spectacle of athleticism and competition.
