The ACT Brumbies will be unchanged going into tomorrow’s semi-final clash in NZ. Photo: Super Rugby Pacific
The ACT Brumbies are unchanged for their Super Rugby Pacific showdown with minor premiers Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton (NZ) tomorrow.
The Chiefs lost loose forward Simon Parker and All Black lock Josh Lord but are due to get All Black Quinn Tupaea back from injury.
Former Queensland Red and Wallaby James O’Connor is on the bench in tonight’s powerhouse NZ derby as the Crusaders host defending champions Auckland Blues in Christchurch.
The Brumbies were based at Dilworth School in Auckland for most of the week which coach Stphen Larkham hopes will help them.
The school was their base when they recorded a special win over the Blues at Eden Park earlier this year and when they shut out Moana Pasifika in south Auckland as well.
“We’ve been at Dilworth the last few times that we’ve been in New Zealand. It’s such a good set-up here. They’ve always looked after us,” captain Allan Alaalatoa told journalists.
THE TEAMS
Crusaders: George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan. RESERVES BENCH: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod.
Blues: Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan. BENCH: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes. Referee: James Doleman.
Chiefs: Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson. BENCH: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kalyum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling.
Brumbies: James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. BENCH: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford. Referee: Nic Berry.
Source: Super Rugby Pacific
