Who’s in and who’s out for your Asteron Life Super Rugby team this week, we have all the whispers from around the grounds.
Queensland Reds
Quade Cooper is set to make his long awaited return from a shoulder injury for the Reds clash with the Sharks so where does that leave young gun Jake McIntyre?
Saia Fainga’a is nearing a return after getting injured against the Bulls over a month ago.
Recruit Hendrik Tui is also back with the main squad after fracturing his fibula during Japanese club rugby commitments.
NSW Waratahs
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau won’t feature in the next three weeks with concerns over his recent concussions, leaving the door ajar for Tolu Latu to push his Wallabies claims.
Jacques Potgieter sat out the win over the Sharks with a chest injury but is expected to play against the Crusaders, while Peter Betham pushed for a re-call during a run for Sydney University in NSW’s Shute Shield.
Western Force
The Force are back from the bye but it could prove too soon for Solomoni Jnr Rasolea who hobbled off with a knee injury in the win over the Tahs, Luke Burton the likely replacement.
Will Alby Mathewson continue off the bench with the strong form of Ryan Louwrens? The scrumhalf has dotted down in each of his two career starts.
Sam Wykes is in line to return having missed the last month with a foot injury, while Zack Holmes has been pushing his claim in Pindan Premier Grade.
Melbourne Rebels
The Rebels are in South Africa with former Tahs winger Cam Crawford a chance to make his Rebels debut after some strong form in the Dewar Shield.
Japanese International prop Keita Inagaki is also in the mix while super speedster Sefanaia Naivalu is in doubt with concussion symptoms.
