Super Rugby Pacific, Round Two - Teams and Predictions

02/19/2025 03:23 AM

PREVIEW: Week Two of the 2025 Super Rugby Season starts with a mouthwatering clash between the Chiefs and the Crusaders in Hamilton.

Both sides will enter the game after wins over fellow New Zealand teams in Round One.

The Crusaders recorded a 33-25 victory over the Hurricanes, while the Chiefs got their revenge over the Blues after last year's Final with a thrilling 25-14 victory at Eden Park.

Putāruru-born forward Jahrome Brown will make his Chiefs debut in Friday's clash against the Crusaders, while midfielder Quinn Tupaea is poised to earn his 50th cap.

Brown has been named in the run-on side for the New Zealand derby, after joining his hometown club over the off-season following six seasons across the Tasman with the Brumbies.

The 28-year-old will become the third player to be added to the Chiefs honour role in 2025, following the debuts of Brodie McAlister and Leroy Carter in last week's victory over the Blues in Auckland.

Tupaea meanwhile will bring up 50 games if used off the bench, in what is his sixth season in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific.

"We're really excited for Jahrome to have the opportunity to put on the jersey for the first time and to do it in front of whānau and friends at home as well," head coach Clayton McMillan said.

"At the same time it's also a special milestone in line for Quinn, especially given some of the adversity he's had to overcome to get there.

"The Crusaders are always formidable and showed their grit and class last week against the Hurricanes. We anticipate another huge battle."

Meanwhile, Massimo De Lutiis has edged out the player who inspired him on his rugby journey, Zane Nonggorr, to win a place in Queensland's front row for their Super Rugby Pacific opener against Moana Pasifika.

After a first-round bye, the Reds are at Lang on Friday against the Ardie Savea-led Moana, who suffered after-the-hooter heartbreak in Round One.

De Lutiis, 21, told AAP that while at school he watched Nonggorr lift the GPS trophy and decided he wanted to follow his lead and started hitting the gym.

Armed with an unofficial Queensland all-sport bench-press record of 202.5kg, De Lutiis's first start comes after he was denied last year by a quad injury.

Red coach Les Kiss said De Lutiis, a shock inclusion in the Wallabies' training squad assembled last month, had proven over the past 12 months he was ready for a start ahead of 10-Test tighthead Nonggorr.

"It's an exciting time for him, but let's not forget he's been capped already in a Queensland jersey against Wales, Tonga, a Japanese game and the UK tour," Kiss said of the 128kg youngster.

"Those games should come to the fore and give him a lot of confidence, along with the fact he's got a lot of experience around him to help him - he is well-armed and ready to go."

In other news, former Rebels lock Josh Canham will make his debut, while Filipo Daugunu returns to the Queensland wing after a stint in Melbourne.

Tom Lynagh will steer the team at No.10.

The Brumbies have brought out the big guns for their clash with the Western Force, with six Wallabies entering the fray.

Test players James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Charlie Cale, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright return to the starting line-up after they were rested from the Brumbies' win over the Fijian Drua in Suva.

Wallaby playmaker Noah Lolesio will miss the Canberra match after suffering concussion, while star loose forward Rob Valetini remains sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Declan Meredith will make his first Super start in Lolesio's No.10 jumper after three appearances off the bench.

"The selection for this weekend has been a bit of a headache after the Drua result," said coach Stephen Larkham.

"Everyone who came into the side for Fiji stepped up to the plate and delivered. However, it's obviously fantastic to have the Wallabies back in our team."

The Force have made four changes to their game-day squad, although match-winning flyhalf Ben Donaldson has recovered from his ankle injury suffered against Moana.

Joining the team from a stint in France, Wallaby hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is in line to make his Force debut after being named on the bench.

With Vaiolini Ekuasi staying in Perth for the birth of his baby, Reed Prinsep will start at No.8, while Test speedster Dylan Pietsch has also been elevated to the starting side after helping the team to an unlikely win.

Wallabies lock Darcy Swain has been named to take on his former club for the first time in Super Rugby.

The Waratahs have the bye this round.

See below for Round Two's teams and predictions!

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Friday, February 21:

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

Prediction

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O'Neill, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Gideon Wrampling.

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 George Bower, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 James O'Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan

Queensland Reds v Moana Pasifika
(Lang Park, Brisbane - Kick-off: 19.35; 21.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

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

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Danny Toala, 23 Losi Filipo.

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday, February 22:

Hurricanes v Fijian Drua
(McLean Park, Napier - Kick-off: 14.35; 13.35 FJT; 01.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Godfrey, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 DuPlessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Hugo Plummer, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacement: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Ngatungane Punivai.

Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Junior Ratuva, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Tanilea Rakuro, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (co-captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Emosi Tuqiri.
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Meli Tuni, 19 Leona Rotuisolia, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Iosefo Masi.

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Fraser Hannon, Maggie Cogger-Orr
TMO: Marcus Playle

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

Prediction

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Finn Hurley, 14 Sam Gilbert, 13 Tanielu Tele'a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Caleb Tangitau, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Sean Withy, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma'u, 2 Soane Mikaele Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Nikora Broughton, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Cameron Millar, 23 Lui Naeata.

Blues: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Cameron Suafoa, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Joshua Fusitu'a, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Cole Forbes.

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan

Brumbies v Western Force
(Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Kick-off: 19.35; 08.35 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Ollie Sapsford, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Rory Scott, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton

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

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant referees: Anthony Petrie, Stu Curran
TMO: Glenn Newman

Additional source: AAP