Super Rugby finals: who's in and who's out?

Tue, Jul 19, 2016, 4:54 AM
Matt Lewis & Beth Newman
by Matt Lewis & Beth Newman
There's plenty of intrigue ahead of the Super Rugby finals. Photo: Getty Images
There's plenty of intrigue ahead of the Super Rugby finals. Photo: Getty Images

Not across all the finalists? We've got you covered, with updates from every camp ahead of the knockout quarter-finals.

 

 

Hurricanes

The Hurricanes need to beat NSW this weekend. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Hurricanes are close to full strength heading into the finals are will be full of confidence heading into the quarter finals against the Sharks.

In

Code-hopper Ngani Laumape was a late withdrawal from the Hurricanes side last week with a groin injury and is touch and go to return against the Sharks. Former Rebel Jason Woodward stepped up as his replacement to score the first try of the match in their 35-10 victory over the Crusaders last week and will be looking to retain his starting spot.

Out 

The Hurricanes currently have six players on their injury list Matt Proctor (hamstring), Vince Aso (calf), Blade Thomson (shoulder), Nehe Milner-Skudder (shoulder), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (broken arm), Motu Matu'u (broken arm).

Lions

The Lions are guaranteed two home finals, if they win. Photo: Getty ImagesThey're well-rested ahead of the knockout phases but it won't be an easy quarter-final for the Lions, against the Chiefs.

In

There will be drastic changes for the Lions this weekend, after resting almost their entire top-flight team for the final regular season round. None of their regular starters played against the Jaguares, with all of those expected to be named for a knockout quarter-final in Johannesburg.

Out

The Lions are missing captain Warren Whiteley, after injuring his shoulder playing for the Springboks in June. but that hasn’t seemed to stop their run of momentum.

Stormers

The Stormers will have a raft of changes. Photo: Getty ImagesThere could be plenty of changes for the Stormers this weekend, with a handful of players set to return from injury.

In

The Stormers have a host of players that could return to their side for this weekend, with prop Oli Keeble potentially the most crucial player making a comeback. Daniel Du Plessis, Nizaam Car, Frans Malherbe, Brandon Thomson and Rob Du Preez are all likely to be available for the side.

Out

The Stormers will be without pivot Jean-Luc Du Plessis in their match against the Chiefs this weekend, with the playmaker’s ankle injury set to rule him out for up to three months. Centre Kobus Van Wyk is also in doubt with a rib injury.

Brumbies

David Pocock heads a list of changes for the Brumbies. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Brumbies have been injury-ravaged this season but welcome some big names back for their quarter-final.

In

David Pocock and Jordan Smiler have both been training in a bid to make it back for the knock-out clash. Pocock would be a crucial inclusion for the Brumbies, after fracturing his eye socket in the Wallabies’ June Test series.

Out

Joe Tomane had surgery last week after breaking his leg in club rugby. The winger has been sorely missed after a ripping start to the season. Ita Vaea’s premature retirement also adds to their injury concerns.

Highlanders

The Highlanders sit in the last wildcard spot currently. Photo: Getty ImagesStruck down by injury earlier this season the Highlanders have had a good run of late heading into the finals and won't be looking at major changes for this weekend, a rare spot for a team to find itself.

In

The Highlanders have timed their run well, with first-choice hooker Liam Coltman coming into the side last week after a long layoff with a foot injury, while Ales Ainley and Dan Lienert-Brown were also back. Shane Christie should also be in the mix after being struck down by illness in the past fortnight.

Out

There aren't too many major concerns for the Otago

Chiefs

Liam Messam will not play in the Super Rugby finals. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Chiefs suffered a round 17 loss to the Highlanders and will therefore travel to Cape Town for their quarter-final clash against the Stormers.

In

With Messam and Tamanivalu unavailable, head coach Dave Rennie has named Tevita Koloamatangi who is yet to play a Super Rugby match this season and Sam Vaka as cover for Tamanivalu in the centres.

Out

SANZAAR has ruled Liam Messam ineligible for the Super Rugby finals despite  returning to the Chiefs for the final two games of the season from New Zealand Sevens squad, after missing out on Olympic selection. In injury news, centre Seta Tamanivalu will miss the trip to Cape Town after suffering an MCL injury in the Chiefs' loss to the Highlanders last weekend.

Crusaders

Nemani Nadolo will not play in this weekend after injuring his hamstring against the Hurricanes. Photo: Getty ImagesIn

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock could be a welcomed addition to the team to play the Lions having missed the Hurricanes loss with illness. Former All Black Andy Ellis (calf) and Johnny McNicholl (dislocated finger) will travel to Johannesburg dispute struggling with injuries. 

Out

Flying Fijian Nemani Nadolo may have played his last match for the Crusaders after going down with a hamstring injury respectively in the Crusaders loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. In another blow for the Crusaders, Joe Moody will also miss the quarter final after missing the last two matches with nerve damage in his neck.

Sharks

Pat Lambie is ineligible to play Super Rugby finals after playing just three games for the Sharks this season. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Sharks have had some selection controversy this week but it's not all bad news for the eighth-seeds.

In

Springboks fullback Willie Le Roux is in line for his first match since the June Test series, where he injured his shoulder playing for the Springboks against Ireland. Prop Tendai Matwarira and centre Paul Jordan are also likely to come return for the clash with the Chiefs.

Out

Pat Lambie has been ruled ineligible for the finals after playing just three games this season. The Sharks captain has had an injury-ravaged year, with concussion most recently ruling him out of matches. The Sharks applied for special dispensation to have Lambie eligible for the finals but SANZAAR ruled the side had enough depth to cover the flyhalf spot.

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