Jackson Garden-Bachop and Patrick Pellegrini. Photo: Photosport/ActionPress
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has sprung a surprise at first five, benching first five Patrick Pellegrini in favour of Jackson Garden-Bachop. Pellegrini has been arguably the form number 10 in Super Rugby Pacific since making his debut in round three.
However, looking at the bench it may well be part of a wider strategy for their big game against the Blues at Eden Park. The experienced Sione Havili Talitui and James Lay return from injury on the bench and given Moana have been very strong in the second half of games, it may be that Pellegrini's cool head and goal kicking skills are being preserved for what might be a tight finish.
Other selection news:
The Blues have mostly kept the same side that beat the Hurricanes last weekend, with the only changes being Angus Ta'avao and Ricky Riccitelli coming in.
The Hurricanes are persisting with Riley Hohepa at first five after teasing with the idea of putting Ruben Love there this Friday against the Crusaders. Callum Harkin returns from injury as backline cover so that's a sign Love may well end up at 10 by the end of the game. Raymond Tuputupu comes onto the bench for his first appearance of the season.
Levi Aumua gets a reprieve at centre for the Crusaders with Dallas McLeod out injured and Sevu Reece moving back to the wing. Scott Barrett and Jamie Hannah form a new second row, but Codie Taylor is missing and replaced by the in form Ioane Moananu.
Damian McKenzie moves back to fullback for the Chiefs for their game in Sydney against the Waratahs, with Josh Jacomb starting at 10. Samisoni Taukei'aho,Tupou Vaa'i and Gideon Wrampling come back into the starting team.
The Highlanders will be without the services of Sean Withy for their next three games, he's been suspended for three games for foul play in Perth in their loss to the Force. However, they welcome back Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens after a long injury layoff. Folau Fakatava is recovered from his hamstring injury, Hugh Renton is back at number eight and Nikora Broughton comes onto the bench.
Hurricanes v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 11 April
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Riley Hohepa. Photo: Blake Armstrong/ActionPress
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Callum Harkin, 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Ioane Moananu, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 19. Antonio Shalfoon, 20. Tom Christie, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Macca Springer
Waratahs v Chiefs
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 11 April
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Leroy Carter. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Gideon Wrampling, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Damian McKenzie
Bench: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Jared Profit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Daniel Rona, 23. Emoni Narawa
Blues v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 12 April
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Jackson Garden-Bachop of the Wellington Lions looks to pass during Wellington v Southland NPC match at Porirua Park, in Wellington on 7 September 2024. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. PJ Sheck, 19. Cam Christie, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Stephen Perofeta
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Samuel Slade, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Melani Matavao, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Pepesana Patafilo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. James Lay, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Aisea Halo, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Fine Inisi
Highlanders v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 12 April
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Highlanders v Moana Pasifika. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Will Stodart, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. Tai Cribb, 20. Nikora Broughton, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Tanielu Tele'a
Also:
Reds v Brumbies
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 12 April
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Force - bye
