The ACT Brumbies will face the Blues as they look to secure their first victory at Eden Park in nearly a decade.
In Lautoka, the Fijian Drua will host the Chiefs, who will be without Damian McKenzie. Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika’s Ardie Savea is set to take on his former team, the Hurricanes.
The NSW Waratahs will clash with the in-form Western Force in Sydney, while the round will conclude with a rare Sunday matchup as the Crusaders take on the Queensland Reds.
The Highlanders have a bye this round.
Blues v ACT Brumbies
FRI 7 March: Eden Park, Auckland (19:05)
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes.
Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Tristyn Cook, Che Clark, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Corey Evans
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
At last the switch to fly-half has come for Beauden Barrett, but the Blues are missing the suspended Hoskins Sotutu, and Dalton Papali’i. The Brumbies remain without Noah Lolesio, but Tom Hooper’s presence should bring some added steel to the forward pack. This won’t be a blowout, but the Blues should be too strong at home.
FIJIAN DRUA V CHIEFS
SAT 8 March: Churchill Park, Lautoka (15:35)
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Loganimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu, Taniela Rakuro
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i (c), Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Jimmy Tupou, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Malachi Wrampling, Xavier Roe, Shaun Stevenson
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie
The Drua could just as easily be 3-0, but instead, they head into this clash with the Chiefs still searching for their first win at 0-3. Quinn Tupaea has been in superb form for the Chiefs, but how much will the unbeaten ladder leaders miss Damian McKenzie? This has all the makings of another thriller and could be the moment the Fijians turn their luck around.
Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
SAT 8 March: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (19:05)
PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile’o, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Ola Tauelangi, Aisea Halo, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Ofa
HURRICANES (1-15): Siale Lauaki, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Nic Souchon, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Jone Rova
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
The Hurricanes came close to beating the Blues last week but left their charge a little too late. This shapes up as a tricky matchup, especially with Ardie Savea taking on his former club. If Moana Pasifika can avoid the slow starts that have plagued them over the past two weeks, they’ll be well in the fight. However, the Hurricanes’ bench could provide a late surge of energy.
NSW Waratahs v Western Force
SAT 8 March: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (19:35)
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Lawson Creighton, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan
This is the hardest game to predict in Round 4. Lawson Creighton gets his first start for the Waratahs, while the Force welcome back Jeremy Williams to strengthen their forward pack, with Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa also in the starting lineup. The Force have shown the better form so far, but can they withstand the Waratahs’ scrum and rolling maul? This one should be fascinating.
Crusaders v Queensland Reds
SUN 9 March: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (15:35)
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Levi Aumua
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Frankie Goldsbrough
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
The Crusaders should be well-rested after last week’s bye, and the return of Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell will provide a significant boost up front. Meanwhile, the Reds are dealing with a depleted backline but will take confidence from their victory in Christchurch last year. Can they pull off another upset?
My picks, Blues, Drua, Hurricanes, Force, Crusaders
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