The Chiefs have controversially rested star playmaker Damian McKenzie for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Such a move would have been unthinkable in previous seasons but the defending champion Crusaders are rock bottom with a scarcely believable 0-5 record.
Keep checking in for all the latest round six team news.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport
CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says mandated All Blacks rest – and not the Crusaders’ winless start to the season – was the reason to omit No.10 Damian McKenzie from his squad.
“We had always planned on Damian getting through the first four or five games before he needed a rest, as per the protocols,” McMillan said.
“It’s certainly got nothing to do with the Crusaders and how they are tracking at the moment, that didn’t even factor into our thinking, it just either had to be last week or this week.
“He’s had a niggly knee… if Damian had been 100 per cent fit, it might have been an easier decision to extend him another week, but he’s not, so we won’t risk him.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Johnny McNicholl, Riley Hohepa, Mitchell Drummond (c), Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Corey Kellow, Jamie Hannah, Quinten Strange, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower
Reserves: James Mullen, Kershawl Sykes Martin, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardiner, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (c), Kaylum Boshier, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
Referee: Angus Gardner
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WARATAHS vs REBELS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
WARATAHS (15-1): Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Lachie Swinton, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Tom Ross, Mahe Vailanu, Angus Bell
Reserves: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Lalakai Foketi
REBELS (15-1): Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Darby Lancaster, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Rob Leota (c), Josh Kemeny, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angelo Smith, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste
Referee: Angus Mabey
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FIJIAN DRUA vs FORCE in Lautoka, Saturday 12.05pm kickoff AEDT
DRUA (15-1):
Reserves:
FORCE (15-1): Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White (c), Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Tom Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
Referee: Reuben Keane
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MOANA PASIFIKA vs BLUES in Auckland, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT
MOANA (15-1): Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Pepesana Patafilo, Julian Savea, Fine Inisi, Christian Lealiifano, Ereatara Enari, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sione Mafileo, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Donald Brighouse, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau
BLUES (15-1): Corey Evans, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Anton Segner, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Marcel Renata, Soane Vikena, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.
Referee: James Doleman
HIGHLANDERS vs HURRICANES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has welcomed back 11 starters after making mass changes for last weekend’s win over the Rebels.
Jordie Barrett is the only survivor in the backline for the unbeaten Hurricanes.
“Picking the side for this match was very hard for us,” Laidlaw said.
“The coaches spent a couple of days trying to settle on a 23 trying to fit in players who put on really good performances against the Rebels and probably deserve to be in this week. But we obviously rested some of the boys last week who had played a lot of minutes and had been playing well, so the opportunity for them to come back in was there… a bit of a selection headache, but long may it continue.”
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (c), Sean Withy, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Josh Timu
HURRICANES (15-1): Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields (c), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngane Punivai
Referee: Damon Murphy
REDS vs BRUMBIES in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
REDS (15-1):
Reserves:
BRUMBIES (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe