Week nine teams: Brumbies, Waratahs ring changes
THE Brumbies and Waratahs have rung the changes for their week nine games, with NSW coach Daryl Gibson dropping a senior Wallaby to play the Kings.
Keep checking in for all the latest Super Rugby team news.
HURRICANES v BRUMBIES in Napier, Friday 5.35pm AEST
FLANKER Brad Shields will captain the Hurricanes for the first time against the Brumbies in Napier on Friday.
Regular captain Dane Coles remains injured and vice-captain TJ Perenara has been named on the bench, with promising halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi handed his first start.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has also reinstated Cory Jane on the right wing for Wes Goosen and No 8 Blade Thomson and lock Vaea Fifita make their returns from long-term injuries.
Thomson returns to the field eight weeks after dislocating his shoulder during the Hurricanes round one win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo, while Fifita replaces Michael Fatialofa who suffered a knee injury at Eden Park.
The reshuffle means Ardie Savea shifts back to openside, after several weeks at the back of the scrum.
James Dargaville of the Brumbies celebrates his try at GIO Stadium in Canberra.Source:AAP
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have welcomed back experienced hooker Josh Mann-Rea for their daunting Super Rugby assignment.
Mann-Rea, 36, has made an earlier-than-expected recovery from a knee injury after missing four matches and relegates Robbie Abel to the bench.
Winger James Dargaville returns to the starting side in place of Tom Banks.
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, James Blackwell, Callum Gibbins, TJ Perenara, Otere Black, Ben Lam
BRUMBIES (15-1): Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Andrew Smith, James Dargaville, Wharenui Hawera, Joel Powell, Jarred Butler, Chris Alcock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (c), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Scott Sio
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Ben Alexander, Blake Enever, Lolo Fakaosilea, De We Roos, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Nigel Ah Wong
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
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WARATAHS v KINGS in Sydney, Friday 7.45pm AEST
ROB Horne will return for the Waratahs’ crucial Super Rugby clash against the Kings in Sydney, allowing Israel Folau to shift to fullback.
Horne withdrew late from their pre-bye loss to the Hurricanes due to hamstring soreness, but has been named at outside centre for Friday’s game, with Folau replacing Bryce Hegarty in the No 15 jersey.
Lock David McDuling replaces Wallaby Dean Mumm, who has been dropped to the bench.
WARATAHS (15-1): Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Cam Clark, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (c), Ned Hanigan, Will Skelton, David McDuling, Tom Robertson, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan
Reserves: Hugh Roach, David Lolohea, Dean Mumm, Jed Holloway, Nick Phipps, Bryce Hegarty, Harry Jones
KINGS (TBC)
Referee: Rohann Hoffmann (AUS)
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Rugby: Kick and Chase give you an insight into the Hong Kong 7s
LIONS v JAGUARES in Johannesburg, Saturday 3am AEST
LIONS (TBC)
JAGUARES (TBC)
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
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Super Rugby: Australian Sevens star Charlotte Caslick trains with two up and coming stars of Australian Rugby as a part of the Land Rover search series.
HIGHLANDERS v SUNWOLVES in Invercargill, Saturday 3.15pm AEST
HIGHLANDERS coach Tony Brown has welcomed back All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo to his starting side to take on the Sunwolves.
Naholo has been out for five weeks with injury.
Joe Wheeler (lock) and Liam Squire (blindside flanker) earn starts while the versatile Elliot Dixon moves to openside to give the loose forward trio a very strong look.
In the backs, Malakai Fekitoa moves to inside centre to make room for the speedy Matt Faddes at outside centre and Tevita Li comes in on the left wing.
“The Sunwolves had a good win over the Bulls recently and will be a dangerous team if we allow them to play at speed, we will need a strong defensive effort this weekend,” Brown said.
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (c), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Tevita Li, Marty Banks, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Josh Renton, Teihorangi Walden, Sio Tomkinson
SUNWOLVES (TBC)
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZ)
Miracle pass leads to try0:39
Super Rugby: Highlights.
CRUSADERS v STORMERS in Christchurch, Saturday 5.35pm AEST
CRUSADERS (TBC)
STORMERS (TBC)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
Chiefs make miracle comeback0:49
Super Rugby: The Chiefs trailed the Cheetahs 24-0 before romping home to win 41-27.
FORCE v CHIEFS in Perth, Saturday 7.45pm AEST
FORCE (TBC)
CHIEFS (TBC)
Baker makes Aussies eat dust 1:28
Rugby 7’s: Highlights from Singapore.
BULLS (TBC)
CHEETAHS (TBC)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
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SHARKS (TBC)
REBELS (TBC)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Hunt bags a double2:00
Rugby: Karmichael Hunt has bagged a double against the Southern Kings.
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Originally published as Week nine teams: Brumbies, Waratahs ring changes
SOURCE: newsnow sport