The Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final is here, with a new champion set to be crowned on Saturday.
The top-ranked Hurricanes and Chiefs will battle it out in Wellington, with the winners ending their respective droughts.
It comes as Super Rugby Women's heats up, beginning with the Fijiana Drua hosting the ACT Brumbies in Ba, followed by the Western Force taking on the Queensland Reds in Perth.
Rugby.com.au previews the Semi Finals of Super Rugby Pacific and Round Two of Super Rugby Women's, presented by Bet365.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo
- Devan Flanders has been cleared of a concussion, starting in the back-row.
- It leaves experienced back-rower Brad Shields to return to the bench.
- Isaia Walker-Leawere partners with Warner Dearns in the second-row, with Caleb Delany ruled out.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Reon Paul
- Kyle Brown slots into the centres, replacing Lalakai Foketi (calf).
- Liam Coombes-Fabling shifts into fullback, allowing All Black Leroy Carter to start on the wing.
- Reon Paul has been added to the bench as the new man to replace Carter.
- The Chiefs have won seven of their last 10 games against the Hurricanes, including a 22-17 win the last time they met in the finals.
- This is the fifth meeting between the two teams in finals, locked at 2-all.
- The Hurricanes have won one of their last three Grand Finals, whilst the Chiefs have lost their last four.
Ruben Love v Damian McKenzie
The battle of the flyhalves is crucial and could decide more than the champions.
Love’s shift to flyhalf has been sensational, leaving him on the verge of All Blacks selection thanks to his attacking prowess.
Meanwhile, McKenzie has been reliable as ever and is one of the best operators in World Rugby, although the lack of Grand Final success hangs over him.
Hurricanes by 11
DRUA (1-15): Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Mereoni Nakesa, Carletta Yee, Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu, Sulita Waisega, Kolora Lomani (c), Varanisese Qoro, Repeka Tove, Josivini Naihamu, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna, Litiana Vueti
Replacements: Bitila Tawake, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Alfreda Fisher, Evivi Senikarivi, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Michella’e Stolz
- Ivamere Rokowti (concussion) and Vika Nakacia (leg) are both out, with Merewairita Neivosa and Atelaite Buna injected into the starting side.
- Keleni Marawa starts at hooker with Bitala Tawake on the bench, leaving Kolora Lomani to skipper the team.
- Karavaki Lutumaiba, Salaseini Railumu and Sulita Waisega all start for the first time this year, with Verenaisi Ditavutu in line for her debut via the bench.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Martha Fua, Tania Naden, Wako Kitano, Ash Fernandez, Jess Grant, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Anne Fernandez de Corres, Ella Ryan, Ivania Wong, Merania Paraone, Bonnie Brewer, Ash Bishop, Georgie Hayes
Replacements: Millie Parker, Mona Lisa Tupou, Linda Emelio, Grace Sullivan, Rayna Ellis, Makenna Ravouvou, Savannah Roberts-Hickling, Paua Lee Going
- Ella Ryan starts at flyhalf, with Faitala Moleka (eye) ruled out.
- It leaves 17-year-old Georgie Hayes to make her debut start at fullback.
- Makenna Ravouvou comes onto the bench, with First Nations product Savannah Roberts-Hickling added to the bench for her potential debut.
- The Fijian Drua have never lost to the ACT Brumbies, including a last-minute 21-15 win in their last encounter.
- The Brumbies have been held to seven points in three of their last four games against the Drua.
- The Drua have won two of their last three in Fiji, whilst it’s their first game in Ba.
Atelaite Buna v Ivania Wong
The return of Buna is massive for the Drua after missing all of last season due to injury.
The speedstar was crucial to the Drua in 2024, facing a tough first-up contest against Wallaroo Wong.
Wong is having a career renaissance in the nation’s capital, leading the comp for tries (two) and clean breaks (three) in the opening fortnight.
Drua by 13
FORCE (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Alapeta Ngauamo, Yuna Sato, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Anneka Stephens, Seina Saito, Samantha Wood (co-c), Nicole Ledington, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (co-c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Aiysha Wigley
Replacements: Chiharu Nezuka, Hannah Palelei, Zoe Elliot, Sera Naiqama, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Grace Freeman, Ngamihi Monk
- Adi Vani Buleki starts in place of Ella Pietsch on the wing.
- Yuna Sato swaps with Sera Naiqama to start in the second row.
- Flyhalf Grace Freeman returns after over a year out due to injury.
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Zophronia Setu, Tanya Kalounivale, Lucy Thorpe, Vineta Teutau, Jemma Bemrose (c), Zoe Hanna, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Dougherty, Akira Kelly, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta, Harmony Vatau, Briana Dascombe, Lori Cramer
Replacements: Mary Tuaana, Hayley Glass, Eva Karpani, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Evie Sampson, Aroha Spillane, Kaelyn Passi
- Bree-Anna Browne, Zophronia Setu and Tanya Kalounivale form a brand-new front-row.
- Lucy Thorpe and Vineta Teutau both come in to start as the two locks.
- Briana Dascombe starts on the wing, with Aroha Spillane back on the bench.
- The Queensland Reds have won three of their last four games against the Western Force.
- The Force have won just one of their last six games in Super Rugby Women’s, whilst unbeaten at home in four of their last five.
- The Reds have won three of their last five away from home.
Allana Sikimeti v Tanya Kalounivale
The battle of the packs is going to be massive as the Force look for dominance to unleash their killer backline.
Both teams have made significant changes, including the Reds calling in Black Fern Kalounivale for her debut start.
It’s up to Sikimeti to limit her effectiveness at scrum time to ensure the Force can dictate the contest.
Force by 6
