LIVE

Live blog: Super Rugby Pacific round 11

05 May 2023

(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The 11^th round of Super Rugby Pacific continues on Saturday when the Reds host the Waratahs in Townsville. Follow the action in our live blog below.

Team news

Lock Isaia Walker-Leawere will play his 50^th Super Rugby match when the Hurricanes take on the Fijian Drua on Saturday afternoon.

Coach Jason Holland has only made three changes to the starting XV, including just the one change in the forward pack.

Justin Sangster will start alongside Walker-Leawere in the second row, while backs Kini Naholo and Billy Proctor take their spots in the run-on side.

In the second game on Saturday, the Crusaders have welcomed back All Black Will Jordan – the speedster will start at fullback for the defending champions.

Jordan missed the All Blacks’ end-of-season tour with an inner-ear issue, and was also ruled out of the opening 10 rounds of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The Test star joins a star-studded backline which includes the likes of Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku and David Havili.

Captain Dalton Papali’i will take on roommates Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Sam Slade when the Blues take on cross-town rivals Moana Pasifika at Eden Park.

Dual international Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to return following a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a hand injury.

In the final game of the night, the Queensland Reds will host fierce rivals the NSW Waratahs in Townsville.

Both teams have named impressive sides, which includes an exciting matchup at openside flanker between Wallabies Fraser McReight and Michael Hooper.

Round 11 MVP votes (3-2-1)

Highlanders vs Chiefs – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs), Emoni Narawa (Chiefs), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

Drua vs Hurricanes – Frank Lomani (Drua), Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Taniela Rakuro (Drua)

Crusaders vs Force – Brodie McAlister (Crusaders), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)

Blues vs Moana – Christian Leali’ifano (Moana), Akira Ioane (Blues), Mike Curry (Moana)

MVP candidates leader board

16 points – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

14 points – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)

12 points – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)

10 points – Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)

9 points – Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)

8 points – Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)

7 points – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)

6 points – Beauden Barrett (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Hamish Stewart (Force), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Mark Telea (Blues), Richard Hardwick (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Tevita Ikanivere (Drua)

5 points – David Havili (Crusaders), Fraser McReight (Reds), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes)

4 points – Harry Wilson (Reds), Iosefo Masi (Drua), Josh Flook (Reds), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Tom Wright (Brumbies)

3 points – Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes), Ben O’Donnell (Brumbies), Brodie McAlister (Crusaders), Bryce Hegarty (Force), Cameron Suafoa (Blues), Christian Leali’ifano (Moana), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Daniel Rona (Chiefs), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Finlay Christie (Blues), Frank Lomani (Drua), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), James Slipper (Brumbies), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Monty Ioane (Rebels), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), Salestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Tate McDermott (Reds), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders), Tim Anstee (Force), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)

2 points – Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes), Akira Ioane (Blues), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Brad Weber, Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Billy Harmon (Highlanders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Dallas McLeod (Crusaders), Danny Toala (Moana), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Jamie Booth (Hurricanes), Kitione Salawa (Drua), Levi Aumua (Moana), Luke Reimer (Brumbies), Manasa Mataele (Force), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Nic White (Brumbies), Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Taj Annan (Reds), Tane Edmed (Waratahs), Will Jordan (Crusaders)

1 point – Abraham Pole (Moana), Adrian Choat (Blues), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Anton Segner (Blues), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs), Eroni Sau (Drua), Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Josh Moorby (Hurricanes), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Drua), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Liam Wright (Reds), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Mike Curry (Moana), Nepo Laulala (Blues), Nikora Broughton (Highlanders), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), Ollie Callan (Force), Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Taniela Rakuro (Drua), Zach Kibirige (Force)

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Comments

1 Comment

isaac 754 days ago

Drua....too many school boy errors ...dont play to entertain. Play to win....crowd numbers going down slowly......left alot of points there drua...

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 16 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 16 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 16 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 16 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 16 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 16 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 16 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍