There are fears that Jordan Petaia’s Reds career could be over after confirmation that his dislocated shoulder would rule him out for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Wallabies star Petaia is off contract with Queensland and Rugby Australia at the end of the year and has attracted interest from clubs in Europe and Japan as well as the NRL’s Dragons.
Read on for all the round 10 team news.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport
CRUSADERS vs REBELS in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEST
The struggling Crusaders have received a double boost with the returns from injury of two All Blacks stars.
Captain Scott Barrett will start at lock after breaking his finger in round three while David Havili is on the bench after hurting his calf in round five.
The defending champion Crusaders are in last place and Havili defended under fire coach Rob Penney.
“He’s great. Huge leader for us,” Havili said.
“It’s tough to see the articles coming out about him, it’s frustrating as a playing group. It’s all of us, we’re all not performing and we’ve got to find a way this weekend.”
Prop Sam Talakai will again captain the Rebels as regular skipper Rob Leota makes his return from injury via the bench.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is out with a foot injury that could sideline him for up to six weeks.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Heremaia Murray, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Reserves: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, David Havili, Chay Fihaki
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste
Referee: Angus Mabey
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WARATAHS vs CHIEFS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEST
Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase has been recalled to the Waratahs starting lineup after being dropped against the Crusaders.
Nawaqanitawase comes in on the wing ahead of Dylan Pietsch while locks Hugh Sinclair and Miles Amatosero have also been promoted to Darren Coleman’s run on side.
That leaves Wallabies Jed Holloway and Langi Gleeson on the bench, with Ned Hanigan named to start at No.8.
The Chiefs have lost captain Luke Jacobson to injury with Kaylum Boshier to instead lead the team for the first time.
“He has gone about his work this season and does a lot of the unseen work both on and off the field,” Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said.
“He isn’t one who enjoys the sound of his own voice, but when he speaks, people listen. He will do a great job leading the team.”
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
Reserves: Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Izaia Perese
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Pohipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Quinn Tupaea
Referee: Jordan Way
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FIJIAN DRUA vs MOANA PASIFIKA in Lautoka, Saturday 12.05pm kickoff AEST
No.8 Meli Derenalagi is back to captain the Drua for a clash of the Pacific in Fiji on Saturday.
Derenalagi takes the leadership reins from hooker Tevita Ikanivere.
The Drua suffered their first home loss of the season against the Hurricanes last weekend.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waga, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
Reserves: Mesu Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Michael Naitokani
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Irie Papuni, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Viliami Fine, Danny Toala
Reserves: Sama Malolo, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Fomai
Referee: Graham Cooper
Every 2024 Super Rugby Pacific club jersey: Blues revive spirit of 1997 with retro kit
BRUMBIES vs HURRICANES in Canberra, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEST
The Brumbies have welcomed back Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa and Len Ikitau from injury following their record loss to the Blues.
Alaalatoa will start at prop in his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Bledisloe Cup last year but halfback Ryan Lonergan will continue to lead the side.
Ikitau will wear No.13 after recovering from a leg injury suffered in round four.
Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua will miss the rest of the regular season at least after suffering an MCL tear in his left knee.
Aumua has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks, meaning a return for the quarter-finals is a best case scenario.
The Hurricanes sent an SOS to Dane Coles but the All Blacks great picked up a hamstring injury of his own playing in Japan at the weekend.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Sefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Andy Muirhead
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, James O’Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Ruben Love
Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Ben Grant, Peter Lakai, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan
Referee: Angus Gardner
HIGHLANDERS vs FORCE in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEST
The Highlanders merry go round in the No.10 jersey with Wales international Rhys Patchell recalled this week following the shutout loss to the Reds.
The Force have welcomed back captain Jeremy Williams who is named on the bench while Nic White continues to lead the run on side.
Former Wallabies lock Izack Rodda will make his first start of the season, replacing Tom Franklin (head injury protocols).
“It’s great, we’re starting to get some depth back now,” Rodda said.
“Myself back from injury, everyone is back. It’s creating competition for positions and in any team, that’s what you need. It’s crucial to having a high performing tight five, especially in the second row.
“We love it, it’s great to have all these guys back, especially Carts (Sam Carter) playing well.”
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Connor Garden-Bachop, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Will Tucker, Hugh Renton, James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
Referee: Dan Waenga
REDS vs BLUES in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEST
Queensland coach Les Kiss is hopeful that Jordan Petaia will extend his time at the Reds in the wake of his season ending shoulder injury.
Petaia is off contract with Queensland and Rugby Australia at the end of the season and has attracted interest from clubs in Europe and Japan as well as the NRL’s Dragons.
“Those are conversations with RA but we’d like to ensure he stays around,” Kiss said.
“He’s a good rugby player. He’s obviously disappointed but once he’s got a pathway he can move forward and go from there.”
Josh Flook makes a timely return from his own injury to replace Petaia at outside centre.
The Blues have named star winger Caleb Clarke on the bench as he manages a calf niggle.
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Liam Wright (c), John Bryant, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Soane Vikena, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Mark Telea, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, James Thompson, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Caleb Clarke
Referee: James Doleman
