The Super Rugby Pacific competition prepares for the first wave of byes as teams start to build towards the Finals.
The Western Force open the round when they travel to Auckland to face the Blues whilst the Melbourne Rebels host the Fijian Drua.
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The Chiefs face a tough game against Moana Pasifika as the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs conclude Saturday with a grudge match.
The Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Reds all have byes.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round seven, presented by Bet365
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Lucas Cashmore, Caleb Tangitau
- Mass changes for the Blues with Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Mark Tele’a (ribs), Finlay Christie (groin), Patrick Tuipulotu (concussion protocol) and Bryce Heem (concussion protocol) all out
- Dalton Papali'i is a timely return, captaining the side as he comes into the backrow
- Lucas Cashmore, nephew of former Blues fullback, Adrian Cashmore is a potential debutant off the bench.
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Thomas Franklin, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Max Burey
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry O’Donnell
- Max Burey comes back into the starting side at fullback with no Harry Potter
- Sam Carter has been elevated into the starting side after his club debut last week
- Junior Wallaby Henry O'Donnell will make his debut off the bench
- The Blues have lost just one of their 14 matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Western Force, winning 11 straight
- The Blues have won each of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches at Eden Park, conceding an average of just nine points per game across their last four fixtures at the venue over that period.
- Ben Donaldson has averaged 38 metres per kick from his 54 kicks in play, the highest average of any player in the competition
Dalton Papali'i v Carlo Tizzano
With the Blues struck down with knocks and injuries, Papali'i will have to step up and lead the way.
The All Black is one of the best in the competition and faces the tough task of nullifying the effectiveness of Carlo Tizzano.
Tizzano rises when he plays the best - just ask Fraser McReight and the Reds - and this will be no different as he pushes for a Wallabies call-up.
Blues by 8
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Daniel Maiava, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Matt Proctor, Mason Gordon
- Sam Talakai captains the side with Rob Leota (calf) ruled out
- Josh Canham starts at lock, with Tuaina Taii Tualima moving to number eight
- Nick Jooste starts at fullback after Jake Strachan's shoulder injury, with Glen Vaihu coming onto the wing
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro
- Hooker Tevita Ikanivere has been cleared to play after receiving a red card against the Force
- Captain Meli Derenalagi returns, slotting straight back in at number eight
- Vilive Miramira returns to the starting line-up at blindside flanker, replacing the injured Etonia Waqa
- The Fijian Drua have won two of their previous three Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Melbourne Rebels
- Three of the Melbourne Rebels’ last four Super Rugby Pacific matches at AAMI Park have seen the winning team score 45+ points on the day
- The Fijian Drua have lost their last 11 Super Rugby Pacific matches outside Fiji, conceding 42 points per game across that span;
Darby Lancaster v Epeli Momo
Both wingers have the ability to change a game - Momo with his strength and Lancaster with his pace.
Momo has found a place on the wing with his brute strength, scoring a great try against the Force.
As for Lancaster, his speed was crucial on debut last week, eager to continue his strong start to Super Rugby.
Rebels by 4
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Peniasi Malimali, Rameka Poihipi (c), Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai Seturo
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown
- Wallace Sititi and Peniasi Malimali have been added to the starting side for the first time in 2024
- Rameka Poihipi captains the side, joined by Peniasi Malimali in the centres
- Etene Nanai-Seturo and Ollie Norris bring up their 50th caps
PASIFIKA (1-15): Donald Brighouse, Sama Malolo, Sekope Kepu (c), Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Niko Jones, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Fine Inisi, Nigel Ah Wong, Kyren Taumoefolau
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Aisea Halo, Otumaka Mausia, D'Angelo Leuila
- Prop Donald Brighouse starts after his debut last week from the bench
- Sekope Kepu captains the side with Irie Papuni, Niko Jones and Semisi Paea added to the pack
- Kyren Taumoefolau starts at fullback with William Havili coming in at fullback
- The Chiefs have won all three of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika, with those wins having come by an average margin of 34 points per game.
- The Chiefs will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats in Super Rugby for the first time since May 2021, following their 37-26 loss against the Crusaders last week.
- Moana Pasifika have won just one of their previous 17 Super Rugby Pacific matches against New Zealand teams with an average losing margin of 29 points
Etene Nanai-Seturo v Kyren Taumoefolau
Nanai-Seturo will be eager to celebrate his 50th game in style as he makes his first Super Rugby start at fullback.
The explosive 24-year-old has plenty of experience at NPC level with Manukau at the back and will need to step up against a young gun in Taumoefolau
Taumoefolau has been featured before in this preview and tries like he scored against the Western Force and Brumbies are proof of his immense potential.
Chiefs by 18
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Connal McInerney, Fred Kaihea, Rhys Van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Declan Meredith
- Billy Pollard starts at hooker after Lachlan Lonergan's season ending ankle injury
- Connal McInerney, Fred Kaihea and Jack Debreczeni play their first games of 2024 off the bench
- James Slipper breaks the record for most Super Rugby caps by an Australian
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Fergus Lee-Warner, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Hugh Sinclair, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Sione Misiloi, Teddy Wilson, Will Harrison, Izaia Perese
- Lalakai Foketi comes back into the starting side, pushing Izaia Perese to the bench
- Hugh Sinclair starts at number eight after Langi Gleeson's head knock
- Angus Bell and Charlie Gamble start in the pack after their late withdrawals
- The ACT Brumbies have won 14 of their last 15 matches in Super Rugby competitions against the NSW Waratahs
- The NSW Waratahs have won just one of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific matches
- The ACT Brumbies have won 10 of their last 11 Super Rugby Pacific matches at GIO Stadium
Tom Wright v Max Jorgensen
Wright has emerged as one of the form fullbacks of Super Rugby Pacific after guiding the Brumbies to victory over the Reds
The fullback is on a mission after his Wallabies snubbing, eager to overtake Jorgensen, who is coming off a breakout season.
Jorgensen has built into the season but knows a great game against the best in Australia will help his Wallabies case
Brumbies by 5
