Super Rugby Pacific, Round four - teams and predictions

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PREVIEW: Super Rugby fans are in for a sweet treat as three days of action-packed matches await them.

It all starts on Friday, where the Brumbies will be looking for their first win at Eden Park in close to a decade as they take on the Blues.

The Fijian Drua host the Chiefs in Lautoka, who are missing Damian McKenzie, while Moana Pasifika's Ardie Savea faces his old team, the Hurricanes.

The NSW Waratahs take on a red-hot Western Force in Sydney, with the round concluding with a rare Sunday fixture as the Crusaders face the Queensland Reds.

The Highlanders have the bye.

The defending champions the Blues are not expecting any let-up in the physical challenge when they meet their first trans-Tasman foe of the Super Rugby Pacific season against former champions the Brumbies.

Blues coach Vern Cotter is aware of the test that the historic leading Australian team will provide as the home team look to build on the away win against the Hurricanes.

"The challenge against the Hurricanes is what we have come to expect in this competition, and we expect nothing less against the Brumbies who have led the way for Australian teams in this competition for many years," said Cotter.

"We must continue to improve week-on-week in every aspect of our game. What is clear this year is that every team is stepping up for the whole 80 minutes.

"We showed improvement and when we got on the front foot, we showed that we have game-winners capable of breaching any defence."

With the short turnaround between the Chiefs and Blues matches, the Brumbies have stayed in New Zealand to prepare for Friday's encounter.

"We know what to expect from the Blues," Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said.

"They are one of the best rugby teams in the world and last year's competition winners. They may have had a tough start to the competition, but they showed what they are capable of in last weekend's win against the Hurricanes.

"It's made a huge difference not to have to do two trips back and forth from Canberra. We spent a few days in Hamilton after the game on Saturday, so the boys were able to recover before making the short trip to Auckland yesterday.

"We've had more time to look into last weekend's loss against the Chiefs and have given ourselves the best possible preparation for the Blues."

All Blacks star Ardie Savea returns to his old stomping ground when Hurricanes take on Moana Pasifika, while on Sunday James  O'Connor will also be out to halt his former side when the Crusaders take on the Reds.

Reds head coach Les Kiss says they will be wary of O'Connor after the veteran playmaker has been quick to make a big impression coming off the bench for the Crusaders since leaving Brisbane at the end of last year.

"It's an exciting proposition for us. We've got a lot of respect for James, an exceptional player and man," Kiss said.

"He'd know a fair bit about us, without a doubt, so we've got to be able to navigate that reality and be able to make sure we stay on track and put our game plan to the fore as we'd like to.

"Yeah, we'll have to be careful for sure."

O'Connor says the banter has been flying since the Crusaders first confirmed on Tuesday the former Wallaby star would be playing his old teammates.

"I've stayed connected with them sort of this whole time, but there's been a couple more conversations this week," O'Connor said.

"Our group put a little media post on Instagram yesterday, so I had a few bites back, which is pretty funny."

But the 34-year-old says the fun and games will cease if and when he gets thrust into the fray on Sunday.

"I'll be doing everything with my new team to pull them apart, whatever way I can help," O'Connor said.

"Obviously knowing most of the guys quite well, there's a bit of information shared, put it that way.

"I'm just genuinely looking forward to the contest because they're coming off two good wins and a good European (pre-season) tour, and we want this one bad."

See below for Round Four's teams and predictions!

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Friday, March 7

Blues v Brumbies
(Eden Park, Auckland - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT; 17.05 AEDT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Blues by eight points

Teams: 

Blues: 15 Cole Forbes, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Cameron Suafoa, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Cam Christie, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu'a.
Replacements: 16 Nathaniel Pole, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Tristyn Cook, 20 Che Clark, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Corey Evans

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

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday, March 8

Fijian Drua v Chiefs
(Churchill Park, Lautoka - Kick-off: 15.35; 03.35 GMT; 16.35 NZDT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by seven points.

Teams: 

Fijian Drua: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Meli Derenlagi, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama,, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Elia Canakaivata, 20 Motikiai Murray, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Isikeli Rabitu, 23 Taniela Rakuro

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14. Daniel Rona 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Kaylum Boshier, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa'i (captain), 4 Manaaki Selby Rickit,, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O'Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Malachi Wrampling, 22 Xavier Roe, 23 Shaun Stevenson

Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie

Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Hurricanes by five points.

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Danny Toala , 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Sione Mafile'o, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Samuel Slade, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Ofa.

Hurricanes: 15 Kade Banks, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Godfrey, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo,, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Siale Lauaki.
Replacements: 16 Nic Souchon, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Hugo Plummer, 20 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Jone Rova

Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman

NSW Waratahs v Western Force

(New South WalesStadium, Sydney - Kick-off: 19.35; 08.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com:  Waratahs by five points.

Teams: 

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

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson,, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Josh Smith, 19 Josh Thompson, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa

Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan

Sunday, March 9

Crusaders v Queensland Reds
(Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch - Kick-off: 15.35, 02.35 GMT; 12.35 AEST)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Crusaders by five points

Teams: 

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

Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Dre Pakeho, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Alex Hodgman,.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Frankie Goldsbrough

Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman

Source: SuperRugby