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The Blues are wary of a renewed Australian threat as they prepare to tackle the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
The Waratahs upset the defending champion Crusaders in round two while the Reds stunned the competition favourite Chiefs last week.
Read on for all the latest round four Super Rugby Pacific team news.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport
CRUSADERS vs HURRICANES in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
The top of the table Hurricanes have their guard up against an increasingly desperate 0-3 Crusaders who will be without injured captain Scott Barrett (broken finger) for the next six weeks.
“We’re under no illusions what the Crusaders can do,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“We know what’s coming and how tough it’s going to be. They’re full of good players and coaches and we know how excited they will be to get their season back on track. We are well aware of what we’re walking into. We’re obviously delighted with the start we’ve made.
“But we’re also being realistic that there’s a long way to go.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, David Havili (c), Macca Springer, Riley Hohepa, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Zach Gallagher, Quinten Strange, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower
Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Finlay Brewis, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
HURRICANES (15-1): Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor (co-c), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Xavier Numia
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
Referee: James Doleman
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REBELS vs REDS in Melbourne, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
REBELS (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Rob Leota (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Josh Kemeny, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon
Reserves: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Angelo Smith, Jake Strachan, James Tuttle
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Mac Grealy, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (co-c), Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Peni Ravai
Reserves: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jordan Petaia
Referee: Nic Berry
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FORCE vs MOANA PASIFIKA in Perth, Friday 10pm kickoff AEDT
FORCE (15-1): Max Burey, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Jeremy Williams (c), Tom Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Ollie Callan, Nic White, George Poolman
MOANA (15-1): Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Karen Taumoefolau, Christian Lealifano, Ere Enari, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sekope Kepu, Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Sateki Latu, Sione Mafileo, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Pepesana Patafilo
Referee: Graham Cooper
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HIGHLANDERS vs BRUMBIES in Dunedin, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Martin Bogado, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon (c), Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan (c), Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Tom Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Sosefo Kautai, Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
CHIEFS vs FIJIAN DRUA in Hamilton, Saturday 5.30pm kickoff AEDT
CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (c), Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Jimmy Tupou, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Quinn Tupaea
DRUA (15-1): Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Michael Naitokani, Junior Ratuva, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Simione Kuruvoli, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Mesake Vocevoce, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet
Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
Referee: Dan Waenga
WARATAHS vs BLUES in Sydney, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
Mark Nawaqanitawase will start at fullback for the Waratahs after Max Jorgensen was ruled out with a hip injury.
Nawaqanitawase’s move to the No.15 jersey allows Dylan Pietsch to return to the wing.
Julian Heaven will make his first NSW start at hooker after Mahe Vailanu joined Dave Porecki and Theo Fourie on the injury list.
Meanwhile, the Blues are wary of a renewed Australian threat.
The Waratahs upset the defending champion Crusaders in round two while the Reds stunned the competition favourite Chiefs last week.
“What I’m noticing is they’re playing much better rugby, and it’s good for the competition,” Blues forwards coach Paul Tito said.
“They’re having a real crack at the Kiwi teams, whereas in the past they’ve been a bit hesitant and weren’t really backing themselves.
“It’s good to see. It’s putting the Kiwi teams on notice – we are going to have to be at our best to go there and get wins. Joe (Schmidt) is sitting in the stands and everyone is pretty keen to impress. It’s a good start for them.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Mark Nawaqanitawase, Triston Reilly, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer
Reserves: Jay Fonokalafi, Angus Bell, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Harry Wilson
BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Akira Ioane, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Referee: Jordan Way
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