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Super Rugby Pacific’s new initiative to announce all team lists at 4pm on Wednesday marks the beginning of a new Herald series - Super Rugby Selections.
Each Wednesday you will find the latest squad news ahead of the weekend’s rugby - who is in, who is out and when all the footy is going ahead.
Blues team to face Fijian Drua
Lock Josh Beehre will make his Blues debut in his hometown of Whangārei on Saturday afternoon when the Blues host the Fijian Drua at Semenoff Stadium for Super Rugby Pacific, kicking off at 4:35pm.
Meanwhile, prop Angus Ta’avao and wing Caleb Clarke are both set for their 50th appearances for the Blues having taken very different journeys to get to the milestone mark.
Two further Blues debuts await on the bench with lock Laghlan McWhannell and fullback Cole Forbes poised for their first cap on Saturday in Whangārei.
Leading the charge among the soon-to-be-capped Highlanders is Otago hooker Henry Bell, who has been chosen ahead of his Southland counterpart Jack Taylor.
The four other debutants will have their opportunity to shine under the new lights at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the backline. Rhys Patchell, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens have all secured starting spots for round one.
Pari Pari Parkinson is one to watch for the Highlanders. Photo / Photosport
Crusaders team to face Chiefs
Rivez Reihana and and Levi Aumua get the nod in the backline for a Crusaders debut in a side that has lost nine starters from the victorious 2023 final over the Chiefs. Fletcher Newell picked up a head knock in preseason against the Highlanders so is going through HIA protocols. The Crusaders take on the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato, 7.0pm Friday.
The Crusaders’ casualty ward will be running out of beds with Will Jordan (shoulder), Leigh Halfpenny (pec muscle), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Fletcher Newell (HIA), Fergus Burke (achilles), Braydon Ennor (knee), Brodie McAlister (knee), Ioane Moananu (undisclosed), Zach Gallagher (undisclosed) all out for round one. David Havili (leave, back round 2) and Codie Taylor (leave) are also unavailable.
Rivez Reihana starts against his former team. Photo / Photosport
Hurricanes team to face Force
The team includes young halfback Jordi Viljoen, who is set to make his Super Riugby debut starting in the number nine jersey. All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard returns to the side off the bench after missing the Hurricanes two preseason matches due to a minor injury. Billy Proctor makes his 50th appearance for the Hurricanes, a milestone his brother Matt Proctor also achieved.
With regular captain Brad Shields ruled out of this match, Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett have been named as co-captains.
Chiefs forward Naitoa Ah Kuoi will start his 2024 Super Rugby season at home with a 50th milestone celebration at 7.05pm this Friday at FMG Stadium Waikato. The electric Etene Nanai-Seturo returns on the wing with Liam Coombes-Fabling and Shaun Stevenson completing a dangerous the back three. Meanwhile, All Blacks Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown will assemble in the midfield.
Julian Savea at second-five is a frightening prospect for opposition midfielders. Photo / Getty Images
Julian Savea makes his first start and fans will get to see what he can do wearing the number 12 jersey. Former Blues front rower James Lay captains the side. Moana Pasifika head down to Dunedin to take on the southern contingent at 7.05pm Saturday.
