It’s a top v bottom clash to kick off round three of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday night in Hamilton.
The high-flying Chiefs, who are the only side with two bonus-point wins, go head to head with the hapless Highlanders, who are the only side with no competition points.
Saturday’s double-header should then serve up a couple of absorbing contests.
The Fijian Drua run out on home turf for the first time this season, taking on the defending champion Crusaders, who bounced back strongly in the Super Round, then it’s the Ardie Savea-less Hurricanes looking for a third win on the trot against a Blues side coming off defeat in Melbourne to the Brumbies.
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Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning, can Moana Pasifika get their first win of the season when they take on the Force in Perth?
Chiefs v Highlanders
Friday, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has largely prescribed to the ‘never change a winning team’ philosophy as the table-toppers go in search of a third-straight win to start the season.
At the same time, he has rotated in, particularly on the bench, some players who missed out last weekend, as he spreads the load through this squad over the early rounds.
There are four changes to the starting side from the victory over Moana Pasifika in Melbourne last weekend.
In the pack, Aidan Ross is back from a calf niggle, which sees Ollie Norris go to the bench and Jared Proffit drop out, and on the other side of the scrum, Irish international John Ryan will get his first start, swapping roles with George Dyer, while Naitoa Ah Kuoi comes in to take the No 6 jersey, with Pita Gus Sowakula going to the reserves and Simon Parker dropping out.
In the backline, Emoni Narawa returns after missing the first two rounds with illness, replacing Liam Coombes-Fabling, who is not part of the contracted squad but did a fine job in the No 14 jersey in the first two rounds.
On the bench, Bradley Slater, Samipeni Finau, Josh Ioane and Daniel Rona (for a Super debut) come in in place of Tyrone Thompson, Laghlan McWhannell, Bryn Gatland and Ngane Punivai.
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, John Ryan, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Can Aaron Smith’s return help turn the Highlanders’ fortunes around?
The Highlanders have regained All Blacks Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Ethan de Groot for the clash in Hamilton.
However, injuries continue to strike in the outside backs, with Sam Gilbert ruled out with a shoulder injury.
As a result Englishman Freddie Burns has been given the No 15 jersey, with Mosese Dawai and Argentinian Martin Bogado on the wings, replacing the injured Jona Nareki (foot) and Jonah Lowe (concussion).
Josh Dickson returns at lock and the side will be captained by James Lentjes in the absence of Billy Harmon. Harmon and Folau Fakatava will observe their All Black breaks this week.
Highlanders: Freddie Burns, Martin Bogado, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Hugh Renton, James Lentjes (c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Leni Apisai Ayden Johnstone Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Fijian Drua v Crusaders
Saturday, 4.35pm, Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fijian Drua: TBA
Crusaders: TBA
Hurricanes v Blues
Saturday, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
New Zealand under-20 international Peter Lakai has been given the enviable task of replacing Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea for Saturday’s clash against the Blues at Sky Stadium.
With Savea suspended following a controversial throat-slitting gesture he made in last week’s win over the Rebels, Lakai has been named to start in his preferred position of No 8 in one of just three changes to the starting 15.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Peter Lakai is back at No 8 for the Hurricanes in their first home game of 2023.
The 20-year-old made his Super Rugby Pacific debut at openside flanker before dropping to the bench for the clash against the Rebels, which the Hurricanes narrowly won 39-33 after scoring a late try to kill the game off.
“He’s come in and it’s a whole different level and he’s still finding his way, but you’ve seen the class of the player in the NPC and it’s just going to take a bit more time for him to establish himself as the player we know,” assistant coach Chris Gibbes said.
“We’re just taking our time with him and he’s got some expectations this weekend from us so we look forward to seeing him put that out there.”
Crusader Brett Cameron will make his Hurricanes debut at first-five after shaking off an injury he suffered in pre-season. Aidan Morgan drops to the bench.
After recovering from concussion, Devan Flanders swaps in for Brayden Iose at blindside flanker in the only other change.
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles will lead the team in Savea’s absence. Replacement halfback Jamie Booth is poised to make his 50th appearance.
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (c), Xavier Numia. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio, Tosi, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Jamie Booth, Aidan Morgan, Riley Higgins.
Blues: TBA
Force v Moana Pasifika
Sunday, 12am, HBF Park, Perth
Force: TBA
Moana Pasifika: TBA
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