CRAIG LEWIS looks ahead to the first four Super Rugby matches in round three of the competition.
CHIEFS vs HURRICANES (Friday, 08:35)
The Canes have made an emphatic start to their Super Rugby title defence as they’ve powered to victories over the Sunwolves and Rebels, but they’re now set for their first real test of the season as they come up against the free-flowing Chiefs.
The Chiefs have also secured impressive back-to-back wins to start their campaign, and coach Dave Rennie has selected a powerful lineup, with influential All Black Sam Cane returning from injury.
In what should be a physical clash, the Canes have bolstered their pack with abrasive Loni Uhila and Mark Abbott, and should be marginal favourites to come out on top despite the fact they’re away from home.
Chiefs – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-c), 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Sebastian Siataga, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Shaun Stevenson.
Hurricanes – 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Loni Uhila.
16 Subs: Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 James Blackwell, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Otere Black, 23 Jordie Barrett.
BRUMBIES vs FORCE (Friday, 10:45)
This is one of those Australian derbies that is unlikely to inspire. The Brumbies will be smarting after letting a handy lead slip against the Sharks last weekend, with that last minute defeat condemning them to back-to-back defeats.
The Force would have been pleased to come away with a win against the Reds in round two, and have interestingly made several changes to the starting lineup as those who impressed off the bench are rewarded with starting berths.
The Brumbies have resisted any temptation to make wholesale changes, with just Ben Alexander and Ben Hyne coming in to start, and they should be backed at home to pick up a seventh successive win over the Force.
Brumbies – 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Ben Hyne, 5 Sam Carter (c), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Tom Staniforth, 21. Lolo Fakaosilea, 22. De Wet Roos, 23. Andrew Smith.
Force – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann (c), 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Onehunga Havili Kaufusi, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman.
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BLUES vs HIGHLANDERS (Saturday, 08:35)
The Blues suffered a disappointing defeat against the Chiefs last weekend, but have bolstered their side with six All Blacks who will make their first start of the season, which will make them a different proposition in round three.
Jerome Kaino will bolster the pack in what should be a fierce physical battle against the Highlanders, who have suffered a few injury blows, but do welcome back influential No 8 Luke Whitelock.
The Highlanders will probably still be wondering how they blew a 21-point lead against the Crusaders, but should be expected to bounce back against the Blues in a closely-fought affair.
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 George Moala, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Murphy Taramai, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Akira Ioane/Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Melani Nanai.
Highlanders – 15 Richard Buckman, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Elliot Dixon (c), 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Sekonia Pole, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Jackson Hemopo, 21 Dillon Hunt, 22 Kayne Hammington, 23 Marty Banks.
REDS vs CRUSADERS (Saturday, 10:45)
The Crusaders produced an inspired finish against the Highlanders to start the season with back-to-back wins, but have yet to look completely convincing.
Digby Ioane is one of three players set to make their Crusaders debut on Saturday, while the Reds have made three changes to their side after last weekend’s meek defeat to the Force.
The Crusaders have won the last five meetings between these sides, with the most recent four wins in that run all coming by more than 28 points. It may not be that one-sided this time around, but the Saders should still come away with a comfortable win.
Reds – 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Izaia Perese, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Izack Rodda, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Chris Kuridrani.
Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 George Bridge.
Photo: Martin Hunter/AFP/Getty Images
