Super Rugby Pacific, Round Five - Teams and Predictions

Today at 05:17 AM

PREVIEW: The Chiefs will play the Blues in another repeat of last year's Grand Final.

The Blues were crowned champions last year, but the Chiefs gained revenge in this season's Round One fixture with a 25-14 win at Eden Park.

Clayton McMillan's side will have home-ground advantage this time around in Hamilton on Saturday.

Fresh off the bye week, the Highlanders are gearing up to host the Hurricanes at Otago Stadium on Friday.

This match marks the debut of the New Zealand franchises' Marvel Jerseys, with the Highlanders donning iconic green inspired by the Hulk, and the Hurricanes suiting up like Captain America.

Friday's other match will see the Brumbies at home against Fijian Drua.

On Saturday, the Crusaders will be hosting the Western Force in Christchurch, where they'll run out in their Iron Man inspired jersey.

Meanwhile, old Aussie foes the Queensland Reds and Waratahs will do battle in Brisbane.

The Waratahs are claiming underdog status as the mind games continue ahead of their grudge match.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar lobbed the first verbal grenade after his side's 34-10 dispatch of the Western Force last Saturday, claiming his side will have to find another level to compete with the Reds.

"They're the best team in the competition," McKellar dead-panned.

Wing Andrew Kellaway continued the theme earlier this week, even after being reminded the Waratahs remain the only unbeaten team in the competition after winning their opening three matches to be sitting second on the ladder.

"I don't know if that's really what you measure the best team in the comp. I certainly don't. If we were going off that, the Chiefs are the best team in the comp - the top of the table," Kellaway said.

"So, looking at history, we talk about recent history, particularly in the Australian competition, the Brumbies have been the benchmark but the Reds have been nipping at their heels for a little while now.

"So, I certainly think the Reds are a very, very strong side.

"Particularly when they get their game going. If they get [Harry] Wilson and [Fraser] McReight, guys like that through the middle of the field and they bring their offload game alive, they are as good as anyone.

"So, I would say for them they've proven that they've got the game and for us we're still in the process of proving that we can do all the things that we say internally.

"I'm not going to go as far as saying they're the best team in the comp, but I think there's certainly a lot more runs on the board for them.

"They're an established group. They've been together for a while and we're still in the process of building.

"So, make of that what you will."

See below for Round Five's teams and predictions!

[rp-comp-table data="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"][/rp-comp-table]

Friday, March 14:

Highlanders v Hurricanes
(Otago Stadium, Dunedin - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Tanielu Tele'a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Joe Nareki, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Sean Withy, 6 TK Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma'u, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 James Arscott, 22 Ajay Faleafaga, 23 Jake Te Hiw.

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

Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Glenn Newman

Brumbies v Fijian Drua
(Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Kick-off: 19.35; 20.35 FJT; 08.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feluai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Fijian Drua: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Samuela Tawake, 18 Livai Natave, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Etonia Waqa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Simione Kuruvoli, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

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

Saturday, March 15:

Crusaders v Western Force
(Rugby League Park, Christchurch - Kick-off: 16.35; 11.35 AWST; 03.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Corey Kellow, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 James O'Connor, 23 Levi Aumua.

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Reesjan Pasitoa, 11 George Poolman, 10 Max Bury, 9 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Coxon, 17 Nic Dolly, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Josh Thompson, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Coby Miln, 23 Divad Palu.

Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Jeremy Markey, George Myers
TMO: Brett Cronan

Chiefs v Blues
(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Daniel Rona.

Blues: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Anton Segner, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Cameron Christie, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Jordan Lay.
Replacements: 16 Nathaniel Pole, 17 Joshua Fusitu'a, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Cameron Suafoa, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 AJ Lam.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman

Queensland Reds v Waratahs
(Lang Park, Brisbane - Kick-off: 18:35; 19.35 AEDT; 08.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Sef Fa'agase.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Dre Pakeho.

Waratahs: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Henry O'Donnell, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Leafi Talataina, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair (captain), 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Felix Kalapu, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Langi Gleeson, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Tane Edmed.

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly

Additional reporting: AAP

Main photo credit: @skysportnz