Super Rugby Pacific, Round Eight - teams and predictions

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PREVIEW: The Super Rugby Pacific Round Eight promises to be full of action with some name stars returning for the ten franchises.

The weekend starts with a top-of-the-table clash between the Chiefs and Queensland Reds before a quad-header on Saturday.

It starts with Moana Pasifika facing the NSW Waratahs before the Fijian Drua welcomes the Crusaders in Suva.

The Blues face a must-win match against the Hurricanes, followed by the Western Force returning to Perth to take on the Hurricanes.

The Brumbies have the bye.

The Reds left an ace up their sleeve after naming in-form No.10 Tom Lynagh on the bench for the match against the Chiefs.

Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson are among seven Wallabies returning on Friday for the Reds, who occupy Super Rugby's top rung for the first time since 2012.

Fullback Jock Campbell (wrist) will start on the bench alongside Lynagh, giving Harry McLaughlin-Phillips another shot in the No.10 alongside captain and halfback Tate McDermott.

Hooker Matt Faessler is also back from injury, so too Hunter Paisami (nose) in the centres with 20-year-old powerhouse Dre Pakeho, as strike weapon Filipo Daugunu shifts to the wing.

Seru Uru and Tim Ryan have been rested for the clash with the sides 3-3 in recent meetings, and four of those in games were decided by less than seven points.

But the Chiefs are 19-2 in their last 21 games at Waikato Stadium and dominated the Reds there in last season's quarterfinal.

"We've shown we are robust and resilient and that our skills have come through to solve problems at the right time," coach Les Kiss said.

"This is another challenge to aim up to in Hamilton against a team that has shown they are right on top of their game."

Meanwhile, Dan Botha will start ahead of Test star Taniela Tupou in the front row for the NSW Waratahs against Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday.

"I had a good conversation with Taniela about this selection," coach Dan McKellar said of Tupou's move to the bench.

"He understands that he has a massive role to play when he comes on, bringing energy, power and leadership in that crucial final period.

"His ability to change the momentum of a game is a real asset for us."

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start at fullback in his second game since returning from a foot injury.

Named in the centres last week, the cross-code star spent time at the back after incumbent Max Jorgensen was forced off with an ankle injury.

"He can provide the stability and counter-attacking ability we need at fullback, particularly against a team that likes to play expansively like Moana Pasifika," McKellar said.

Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa will return for the Western Force along with backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi against the Highlanders in Perth on Saturday.

Probably in the match of the weekend, the Blues have received significant good and bad news ahead of their showdown with the Hurricanes, with a number of All Blacks returning but also one ruled out for the rest of the season.

Ofa Tu'ungafasi will play no further role in this Super Rugby Pacific campaign after a neck injury was confirmed to require season-ending surgery.

An exact recovery timeline was not given, so it's unclear what the 32-year-old's All Blacks chances are like when the team open their season against France in July.

Elsewhere in the team's selections, the return of Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, AJ Lam, Anton Segner and Adrian Choat, as well as All Blacks Beauden Barrett and captain Patrick Tuipulotu, will come as a welcomed relief to Auckland fans.

"The group is putting in the hard work to produce a quality performance. Hopefully, they will come through a big week of effort on the training field, and the team can focus on getting our processes right for a positive performance," said coach Vern Cotter.

"Of course, we are aware of our position on the table, but our focus is on our performance."

The team will face a Hurricanes side full of confidence following their comfortable 57-12 win over Australian heavyweights, the Waratahs, while the Blues enjoyed their bye week in round seven.

See below for Round Eight's teams and Predictions!

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Friday, April 4

Chiefs v Queensland Reds
(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Kick-off: 19.05, 16.05 AEST; 06.05 GMT)

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Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by five points.

Teams:

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

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

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Angus Mabey
TMO: Brett Cronan

Saturday, April 5

Moana Pasifika v NSW Waratahs
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland - Kick-off: 14.05; 12.05 AEDT; 02.05 GMT)

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Prediction
@rugby365com: Moana Pasifika by seven points.

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Semisi Paea, 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 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Fini Inisi.

Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Henry O'Donnell, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair (Captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Felix Kalapu, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Joey Walton

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

Fijian Drua v Crusaders
(Suva Stadium, Suva - Kick-off: 15.35; 16.35 NZDT; 03.35 GMT)

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Prediction
@rugby365com: Fijian Drua by eight points.

Teams:

Fiji Drua: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (Captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Etonia Waqa, 22 Simione Kuruvoli, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Sevu Reece, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham; 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Corey Kellow, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 3 Seb Calder, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 James O'Connor, 23 Levi Aumua.

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

Blues v Hurricanes
(Eden Park, Auckland - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)

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Prediction
@rugby365com: Blues by six points.

Teams:

Blues: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuioulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Joshua Fusitu'a.
Replacemets: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Cameron Suafoa, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Stephen Perofeta.

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 Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua (co-capt), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Brad Shields, 22 Ereatara Enari, 22 Callum Harkin, 23 Fatafehi Fineanganofo.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Mike Winter
TMO: Paul Williams

Western Force v Highlanders
(Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth - Kick-off: 16.35, 20.35 NZDT; 08.35 GMT)

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Prediction
@rugby365com: Western Force by seven points.

Teams:

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.

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 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Michael Loft, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Tanielu Tele'a, 23 Michael Manson.

Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Graham Cooper
TMO: James Leckie

Sources: AAP & Super Rugby Pacific