The Hurricanes and Chiefs headline this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific action, with the Canes naming a similar side to the one that beat the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend. Meanwhile, Wallace Sititi's return to play is again managed through the reserves, while the Chiefs are once again missing Damian McKenzie.
Josh Jacomb starts at first five but with Clayton McMillan going for a six forward/two back bench, there's not a lot of back up available if something goes wrong.
Other selection news:
Finlay Christie and Zarn Sullivan have paid the price for the Blues' disastrous loss in Brisbane last weekend, dropped from the squad to play the Force completely. Taufa Funaki is back from injury and takes over at halfback, while Mark Tele'a's suspension sees AJ Lam moved out to the wing and youngster Xavi Taele getting a recall at 12.
Moana have named a strong side for their intriguing visit to Dunedin, with a super-charged loose forward trio of Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa the most obvious threat. It's a homecoming for Tupou-Ta'eiloa, who went to school at Otago Boys High. Kyren Tamoefolau comes back from injury onto the wing. Former Wallaby prop Pone Fa'amausili will debut off the bench.
The Highlanders have somewhat surprisingly swapped Nathan Hastie back into the starting line-up ahead of Folau Fakatava, however it is worth mentioning that Hastie was probably the best player on the park the last time these sides met. Timoci Tavatavanawai moves back into the midfield and Sam Gilbert goes back to the wing.
Team lists
Blues v Force
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 2 May
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Sam Nock, 23. Corey Evans
Blues halfback Taufa Funaki celebrates his try with Corey Evans and Rieko Ioane. Photo: Photosport
Hurricanes v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 3 May
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Gideon Wrampling
Chiefs forward Wallace Sititi in action during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Hurricanes. Photo: photosport
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 3:35pm Sunday 4 May
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Oliver Haig, 6. TK Howden, 7. Sean Withy, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Rohan Wingham, 19. Mitch Dunshea, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Taine Robinson, 23. Jake Te Hiwi
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Tomasi Maka, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Pone Fa'amausili, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Patrick Pellegrini
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Also:
Fijian Drua v Reds
Kick-off: 2:05pm Saturday 3 March
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Brumbies v Waratahs
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 3 March
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Crusaders - bye
