Super Rugby Pacific reached the penultimate round of the season, and the ladders were actually less tighter.
The playoffs’ key top two seeds are still getting a grab, with Brunby, Chiefs and Crusades all fighting for their home ground advantage.
Beyond that, fourth place is also a red-hot shootout, just like the scramble in the sixth and final place in the playoffs.
Read all round 15 lineups, tips and injuries updates.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, May 23rd
Crusades vs. Highlanders
Apollo Project Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm (aest)
Crusades: Johnny McNichol, Cebu Reese, Braydon Ennoll, David Havili (captain), Mcca Springer, Rives Reihanna and Mitchell Drummond. Christian Rio Willie, Tom Christie, Karen Grace, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Tamaite Williams, Cody Taylor and George Bauer. Alternatives: George Bell, Luis Ponini, Cebu Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod.
Highlanders: Jacob Ratapagavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lawe, Timua Tava’an), Sapt), Tanbinson; Salaa Facaita, Sean Washy, Tasaka Who oldden, Mitch Dunnse, Faban Hard, Jate de Grom (Cot-Capt). Alternatives: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, and Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Official: Todd Petry. Assistants: Ben O’Keefe, Jackson Henshaw. TMO; Richard Kelly
prediction: The Crusades did a light job with Waratah in Sydney last week, and are further boosted by the return of All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett and Test Hooker Coady Taylor. They should have too much firepower for the Highlanders team, who was brave with a heartbreaking loss in the Hurricane last week, but there is no class to worry about their neighbors to the North. Crusades until 2018.
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Crusades $1.13, -14.5 $1.87; Highlanders $5.50, +14.5 $1.87
Queensland Reds vs Hurricane
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm AEST
red: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Dore Pakeho, Hunter Paisami, Filippo Daugnu, Tom Lina, and Tate McDermott. Harry Wilson, Fraser McWright, Joe Brial, Ryan Smith, Josh Canham, Zane Nongo, Richie Asiata, and Seph Faagaze. Alternatives: Josh Nasser, Jeffrey Thomaga Allen, Trevor King, Angus Bryce, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin Phillips, Tim Ryan.
Hurricane: Callum Harkin, Daniel Sinkinson, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Fatafehi Finenganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Peter Rakai, Dupipsis Kilifi, Brad Shields, Isaiah Walker Rail, Zach Gallagher, Tyrell Romax, Asopho Oumua, Xavier Noumea. Alternatives: Raymond grows up, Tevita Flood/Pore Laga Stuung, Poru Polmer, Devan Fullers, Eleciateter Emmera, Barreta Cameron, Baleen Srivan
Official: Paul Williams; Assistants: Angus Mavey, Mike Winter. TMO: Brett Cronan
prediction: This is a very important game for both parties, and it could potentially catch the fourth spot in the final log. The Reds finally have welcomed Wallabee skipper Harry Wilson with his broken arm, and fly half Tom Lina has returned. But they are at the very depth of the front row options. The Hurricane will be disappointed with last week’s performance, but somehow they have found a way to win after the final hooter. They have also already won one victory in Australia this year to win the boots this year. If Du’plessis Kirifi can disrupt Reds’ speedy recycling and starve high quality balls, visitors will bump into it very much. However, Queensland has only dropped one game at home this year, requiring momentum shots in the playoffs. This is that. 2 x 2.
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds: Red $1.75, -7.5$1.90; Hurricane $2.00, +1.5$1.85
Saturday, May 24th
Chief vs. Payca Mute
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 5:05pm (aest)
chief: Sean Stevenson, Eamell Rona, Kinan Carter, Date Jolie, Willers Sier, Willage Dyer, Wilga Meyer, Ollie Newcase. Alternatives: Brody McAllister, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Law, Josh Jacombe, Gideon Rampling.
Pacific: Kito Cooling Colon, Around, Solomon Police, Tanatis Raid, Sister Sanea, Miracle Sanfa, Miracasanea, Miracasanea, Miraeel Same, Mirien Sener, Mirien Sener, Mirien. Alternatives: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Jackson Garden-Bachop.
Official: James Dollman; Assistant: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Richard Kelly
prediction: Is there anything better than Moana Pacifica right now? And how good is Ardie Savea? The biggest question is that at least once in 2025 will be a sweeping NZ team, but can he inspire them to another stunning victory over his local rivals? That’s certainly possible, but the chiefs have looked embarrassing in recent weeks and are refreshed after last week’s goodbye. They are also the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, hunting top spots. Chiefs 12.
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Chiefs $1.13, -14.5$1.87; $5.50, +14.5$1.87
Western Force vs. NSW Waratahs
HBF Stadium, Perth, 7:35pm (aest)
force: Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Nic White; Nick Champion de Crespine, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Tom Robertson, Nick Dory, and Fatongear Pair. Alternatives: Brandon Pemon, Ryan Counson, Regenerative Prinz, Teen Maver, Alex Heardson, Cartley Beale
Watasu: Lawson Clayton, Andrew Keraway, Larakai Foquetty, Joy Walton, Triton Riley, Tane Edded and Jake Gordon. Langii Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Taniela Tupo, Dave Porcei, Angus Bell. Alternatives: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
Official: Angus Gardner; Assistants: Matt Kerahan, Graham Cooper. TMO: Brett Cronan
prediction: With much higher hopes for the season, the Australian two teams find themselves struggling near the bottom of the ladder. Waratha received public intensity from his coach after the horror opening against the Crusades last week. This week’s NSW was forced to do some changes without the Robleota, but Taniera Tupou has finally returned to the run-on team. The Force rested several important forces from their trip to Fiji where they were hammered by Dua, each with Carlo Tizzano, Ben Donaldson, Harry Potter, Nick Champion de Crespiney and Run on Side of the Week. There may be too many hosts, but travel factors cannot be ignored either. Three times more.
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Forced $1.68, -1.5$1.85; Watas $2.10, +1.5$1.90
Injury zone
Brumby
Alan Arratini – Ankle, 2-3 weeks, Jack Debretzeni – Gro diameter, 3-4 weeks Ben O’Donnell – Hamstring operation, 3-4 weeks Charlie Kale – Lower hip injury, Timeline 4-5 weeks Tevita Alatini – ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, Timeline TBC Blake Schoupp -8+
Blues
Leon Paul (shoulder), offa tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).
chief
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, came back soon. Kaleb Trask, ankles, TBC; Liam Coomb’s innovation, knees, mid-term. Anton Linath Brown, collarbone, mid-term. Malaki ramp ring, hamstring, medium period. fiti sa, shoulders, long term; Rameka Poihipi, knees, seasons
Cross Army
Ethan Blackader (hamstring/TBC), Dongardiner (foot/TBC), Johnny Lee (calf/4 weeks), Luis Ponini (calf/4-6 weeks), Finlay Brews (shoulder/season), Will Jordan (knee, TBA), Scott Barrett, Fletcher New Lerrell
Physia and Rua
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre Knees, Short-term vilive Miramira – Knees, Short-term Elisadoroars – Wrist, Wrist, Short-term Epeli Momo – Long-term Frankromani – Shoulders, Long-term Calebmanz – Shoulders, Short-term Meriderenaragi – Long-term
Highlanders
Caleb Tangitau (gro diameter 1-2 weeks) Tanielle Terrea (hamstring 1-2 weeks) Jonah Nareki (knee 1-2 weeks) Nicola Broughton (knee MCL 4-6 weeks) Finn Harley (quad, season), Hayden Michaels (hamstring 1-2 weeks) Ayay Faleferga (broken hand)
Hurricane
Brett Cameron (knee, season) Devan Flanders (ankle, round 14) Harry Godfrey (lower limbs, round 15) Peter Umaga Jensen (shoulder, TBC)
pacific ocean
Moralshouse (shoulder) Concus (concus) Japan’s delivery (neck) Smoll policy (neck) Taceoloo Polight (FOEE).
NSW Waratas
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (fractured jaw) Max Jorgensen (Syndesmosis), Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
Queensland Reds
George Blake, Matt Fessler, Josh Froke, Matt Gibbon, Franky Goldsbrough, Will McCulloch, Lucan Saracaia Lotto, Sel Ul, Liam Wright
Western forces,
Violini Equasi (shoulder) Harry Johnson Holmes (knee, season) Harry Hoopport (knee, season) Tom Horton (head injury protocol) Dibud Pal (shoulder) Marley Pierce (shoulder) Dylan Pietici (quad) Matt Proctor (shoulder)
suspension
Blues: Mark Telea
Highlanders: Sean Wyth (Round 12)
All odds are correct at the time of publication.