It’s Super Round time.
Round two of Super Rugby Pacific this weekend takes all teams to Melbourne to play their matches at AAMI Park.
It was a concept first meant to take place in round two last season, but due to Covid-19 got pushed back to round 10, along with one of the matches (Moana Pasifika v Force) having to be scrapped.
This year, it will indeed take place before AFL season kicks off, giving officials more chance of showcasing and growing the game in Victoria.
Three days of doubleheaders are on the menu, with an intriguing all-Kiwi affair to kick it off on Friday night as two wounded Crusaders and Highlanders sides go head to head in the latest edition of their southern derby.
Crusaders v Highlanders
Friday, 8pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Injuries to No 8 Cullen Grace (shoulder) and tighthead prop Fletcher Newell (knee and foot) have forced Scott Robertson to tinker with his forward pack for the southern derby.
But cushioning that blow for the defending champs, who were humbled by the Chiefs 31-10 at home in the season opener, is the return of Sam Whitelock.
The All Blacks test centurion missed the opening round with concussion and replaces Mitchell Dunshea, who drops out of the match-day 23.
The withdrawal of Newell means Tamaiti Williams starts in the No 3 jersey, and with Grace out Christian Lio-Willie is promoted to start at the back of the scrum after an impressive debut off the bench last weekend.
Robertson has adjusted his midfield, switching David Havili from fullback to second five-eighth, with Jack Goodhue, who started at No 12 last week, moving to centre, and Braydon Ennor relegated to the reserves.
Fergus Burke, who had a crack at playing in the position in the pre-season, has been promoted to fullback. For me there were to many mistakes from the Crusaders, as well as lots of missed tackles. Not very Crusader like. Again the speed of the game ,especially in the second half, and some players lacked a game or two, I thought. They will be better this week.
Crusaders: Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Seb Calder, George Bower, Zach Gallagher, Sioni Talitui, Noah Hotham, Braydon Ennor, Macca Springer.
Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell and loosehead prop Ethan de Groot will miss the Highlanders’ match against the Crusaders because of the All Blacks’ load management programme.
Loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu’u will also be absent because he damaged ribs in the opening moments of the 60-20 loss to the Blues in the opening round, and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Wing Jona Nareki, a late withdrawal from that game because of a foot injury, was also not considered for this fixture in Melbourne.
All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith remains off-limits, with Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody electing to rest him from the first two rounds. Smith, along with Frizell and de Groot will be available for the next match against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Nikora Broughton, who captained the NZ Barbarians under-20 team last year, will make his debut at No 8.
Dermody has elected to start a fresh inside back pairing. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Freddie Burns will start ahead of All Black Folau Fakatava and Mitch Hunt.
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Connor Garden-Bachop, Freddie Burns, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Will Tucker, Paripari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Mosese Dawai.
I though Hunt did some good things at times against the Blues, but Fakatava seemed a little lost, and maybe the speed of the game, plus a lack of combinations affected him. They are both good players and will be better for the run last week.
My prediction for this game is Crusaders to win by at least 10 points.
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