A former NRL flyer is set to make his Super Rugby debut against the might of the champion Crusaders on Saturday. 👀🏉 9WWOS StanSportAU Read more:
Ngani Laumape of the Hurricanes makes a break at Brookvale Oval in 2019. Meanwhile, Ngani Laumape will play what is likely to be his final game for the Hurricanes before taking up a lucrative contract with Stade Francais.
The blockbusting centre played 15 Tests for the All Blacks but wasn't given the financial incentive to stay in New Zealand."Once that came into perspective I had to make the best decision for me and my family and my kids." Asafo Aumua returns from concussion to start at hooker ahead of Dane Coles while Cam Roigard gets the nod at halfback in place of Luke Campbell.Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea , Du'Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier NumiaDane Coles, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Luke Campbell, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi RayasiMac Grealy, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright , Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao FotuaikaRichie Asiata, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas, Hudson Creighton, Moses SoroviBRUMBIES vs HIGHLANDERS, Friday 7.45pm AEST in Canberra Bayley Kuenzle will start at five-eighth for the Brumbies after Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was ruled out with a minor injury sustained in the win over the Hurricanes. Test players Nic White, Irae Simone and Tom Wright are also promoted to the starting lineup after coming off the bench last weekend while there is excitement over the likely Super Rugby debut of hooker Billy Pollard, who is named on the bench. "We were really happy with the response from the team last weekend but we also have an expectation to finish the season on a positive note on Friday night," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said. "There's no doubt Billy is an exceptional talent and he's worked hard on the training paddock, and has now had valuable game time in the John I Dent Cup and we're looking forward to seeing him take the next step in his career against the Highlanders. "The side really got a lift out of the home crowd at GIO Stadium last Saturday and we can't wait to play in front of our supporters and our families for the last time in 2021."Meanwhile, the Highlanders will welcome back outstanding halfback Aaron Smith as they chase a spot in the trans-Tasman final. Co-captain Smith missed the win over the Waratahs due to All Blacks rest protocols and returns for Kayne Hammington.The second-placed Highlanders are jostling with the first-placed Blues and third-placed Crusaders for a berth in the June 19 final, with bonus points and points differential crucial. "The media and fans are all probably talking about wanting to see a Blues-Crusaders final, but I'm sure the Rebels aren't looking to roll over, and I'm sure the Force aren't looking to roll over on the Blues," Smith said."We're just trying to control our fate, how we play, how we prepare."Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Mack Hansen, Bayley Kuenzle, Nic White, Henry Stowers, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa , Lachlan Lonergan, Scott SioBilly Pollard, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Solomone KataJosh Ioane, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith , Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon , Ethan de GrootLiam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-NicholasREBELS vs CRUSADERS, Saturday 2.35pm AEST in Sydney Injured Rebels captain Matt To'omua will miss the club's final game of the season against the Crusaders with flanker Michael Wells stepping up to lead the side in his place. The Rebels also have a brand new centres pairing with Glen Vaihu and Andrew Kellaway combining in place of To'omua and Stacey Ili. Frank Lomani comes in on the right wing for Lachie Anderson while former NRL flyer Young Tonumaipea is set to make his Super Rugby debut after being named on the bench. Centre/winger Tonumaipea, 28, played 43 games for the Storm between 2014-18 and 10 for the Titans in 2020 before making the switch to rugby.Former Broncos development player Ilikena Vudogo is also set to make his Rebels debut off the bench.Meanwhile, All Blacks stars Richie Mo'unga, Sam Whitelock and Sevu Reece are back in the Crusaders lineup as they chase a place in the June 19 final. The trio - and prop George Bower - were rested in last weekend's scratchy win over the Force and add significant firepower for the third-placed club that will be hunting a big bonus point win to boost its points differential and qualify for the big dance."Those weeks for them are tough to watch, but also give them a full tank.The Crusaders have also regained impressive flanker Ethan Blackadder from injury but will be without hooker Codie Taylor and loose forward Cullen Grace .George Worth, Frank Lomani, Andrew Kellaway, Glen Vaihu, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells , Trevor Hosea, Rob Leota, Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Cameron OrrJames Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Rhys van Nek, Steve Cummins, Ross Haylett-Petty, James Tuttle, Young Tonumaipea, Ilikena VudogoWill Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitch Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett , Michael Alaalatoa, Brodie McAlister, George BowerNathan Vella, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa MataeleBlues coach Leon MacDonald has changed his No.8 and props as the club tries to book a home final at Eden Park. Hoskins Sotutu returns at the back of the scrum in place of fellow All Black Akira Ioane while Nepo Laulala and Alex Hodgman replace Ofa Tuungafasi and Karl Tu'inukuafe respectively."Aki was really good last week, and that's not a reflection on his form," Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry said."He covers three positions, has done a really good job and is a real team bloke and gets on and does whatever he's asked.Jake McIntyre of the Force is assisted off the field after a head clash. Meanwhile, the Force have named a new halves pairing with Ian Prior and Jake McIntyre replacing Pumas duo Tomas Cubelli and Domingo Miotti."They play well together and they can provide us with some strong direct footy.BLUES : Zarn Sullivan, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Mark Telea, Otere Black, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Patrick Tuipulotu , Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Eklund, Alex HodgmanRay Niuia, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ LamJake Strachan, Richard Kahui, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin , Jordan Olowofela, Jake McIntyre, Ian Prior, Ollie Callan, Kane Koteka, Fergus Lee-Warner, Sitaleki Timani, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu'u, Tom RobertsonAndrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Michael McDonald, Domingo Miotti, Rob KearneyWARATAHS vs CHIEFS, Saturday 7.45pm AEST in Sydney Alex Newsome will resume the Waratahs captaincy and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco will make his starting debut for an injury ravaged NSW side against the Chiefs. Winger Newsome takes the reins from injured skipper Jake Gordon, whose knee injury could keep him out of next month's Wallabies Test series against France. Fullback Jack Maddocks and Dave Porecki are also out, joining Angus Bell, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Ben Donaldson on the sidelines. "Rahboni's impact last week was pretty good and we're interested to see what he can do with more minutes starting the match at No.8," Waratahs co-coach Chris Whitaker said.Tepai Moeroa of the Waratahs in action against the Rebels. The Waratahs have also released centre Tepai Moeroa from his contract to take up a deal with the Storm.Meanwhile, the Chiefs have named gun centre Anton Lienert-Brown on the bench for the Brookvale Oval clash, with Alex Nankivell and Quinn Tupaea teaming up in midfield instead.Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome , Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, James Ramm, Will Harrison, Jack Grant, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jack Dempsey, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Whetton, Hugh Sinclair, Tetera Faulkner, Tom Horton, Andrew TualaRobbie Abel, Pek Cowan, Chris Talakai, Sam Caird, Jeremy Williams, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Tane EdmedKaleb Trask, Shaun Stevenson, Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber , Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tupou Vaa'i, Zane Kapeli, Angus Ta'avao, Bradley Slater, Aidan RossSamisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Viliami Taulani, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Chase TiatiaFor a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by
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