Super Rugby Pacific, Round Seven - Teams and Predictions

03/26/2025 03:19 AM

PREVIEW: The Waratahs have parked their drought-breaking victory over the Brumbies as they chase an even more hoodoo-busting win in Wellington.

The Waratahs fly to New Zealand on Wednesday hunting a first away win over the Hurricanes in a decade.

History shows toppling the Canes at the Wellington Regional Stadium is one of Super Rugby Pacific's tallest orders for the Tahs, who have leaked an average of 35 points a game during a run of five straight defeats at the dreaded venue since a rare victory in 2015.

It's little wonder the Waratahs' focus has shifted quickly from their first win over the Brumbies in seven years to upsetting the Hurricanes on home turf to continue their heady start to 2025.

"Playing away games are always tough, and then trying to get a win in New Zealand is another level," in-form loose forward Rob Leota said of Friday's challenge.

"We've had a great start to the season, and for us it's about being consistent, so we don't want to change too much.

"We just want to not go away from what's been working for us.

"The only thing that changes is we're just in New Zealand now, so it's just focusing on what we can control and come game day, we've just got to be prepped to go and we're going to get a victory over there in New Zealand for sure."

The story continues below...

A refreshed Leota has been instrumental in the Waratahs winning four of their first five games this campaign, all the wins at home in Sydney.

After three years blighted by multiple leg injuries, the bruising flank opted out of contention for the end-of-year tour of the UK last November to try to finally get his body right.

As he put it, Leota "attacked rehab" head on and the Tahs are prospering with the former Wallaby crossing for tries and causing havoc playing in a wider role than usual.

"If I had the chance to get over there [to the UK], it was a possibility, but, no, I think we were pretty set on just staying and just getting my body right," he said.

"Once I had that clear coms to be able to do that, it just made everything easy for me.

"In previous years, I was probably thinking too far ahead, but I just simplified it for myself and it was just to focus on Waratahs, playing trials before the season started and then getting picked for Round One and now it's just about applying myself every week.

"I'm just trying to play as good a footy as I can for the team and get wins."

In a huge boost to the Tahs' chances, marquee signing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was on Wednesday named at outside centre for his long-awaited comeback from a toe injury.

*Meanwhile, the match Wellington will be followed by the Brumbies hosting the Highlanders in Canberra.

On Saturday, the Crusaders will welcome Moana Pasifika to Christchurch.

Wallaby James O'Connor has been called up for his first start in Crusaders colours and he will wear the No.10 jersey.

The Round concludes in Brisbane as the Queensland Reds welcome the Western Force to Lang Park.

The Blues, Chiefs and Fijian Drua have the bye.

See below for Round Seven's teams and Predictions!

Friday, March 29:

Hurricanes v Waratahs
(Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington - Kick-off: 19.05; 17.05 AEDT; 06.05 GMT)

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Prediction

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Ngatungane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Riley Hohepa, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 DuPlessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Zach Gallagher, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua (co-captain), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 23 Kade Banks.

Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Archie Saunders, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Joey Walton (captain), 11 Derby Lancaster, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Ben Grant, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Julian Heaven, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Dobbins, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Felix Kalapu, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Lalakai Foketi.

Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan

Brumbies v Highlanders
(Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Kick-off: 19:35; 21.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)

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Prediction

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Harrison Goddard, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neveille, 20 Tuanina Taii Tualima, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Jack Devreczeni, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Highlanders: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Nathan Hastie; 8 Sean Withy, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma'u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Michael Loft, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Ajay Faleafaga, 23 Tanielu Tele'a.

Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie

Saturday, March 29:

Crusaders v Moana Pasifika
(Rugby League Park, Christchurch - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)

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Prediction

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Levi Aumua.

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-ta'ufo'ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tuna Tuitama.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Angus Mabey

Queensland Reds v Western Force
(Lang Park, Brisbane - Kick-off: 18.35; 16.35 AWST; 08.35 GMT)

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Prediction

Teams:

Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Joe Brial, 7 Josh Bryant, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Ryan Smith (captain), 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Connor Vest, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Dre Pakeho.

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Brett Cronan

Sources: AAP & Super Rugby Pacific

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