Super Rugby Opening Game Day Update
- 1888
Super Rugby Opening Game Day Update
Blues vs Highlanders
Blues Hooker James Parsons, with 50 caps to his credit, will lead the side in the absence of Jerome Kaino, who is serving a one match penalty following a red card in the final pre-season match last week. Japan World Cup star Male Sa’u will start at centre alongside All Black, George Moala.North Harbour prop Sione Mafileo will make his Super Ruby debut.
Head Coach of the Highlanders, Jamie Joseph, has named an experienced line-up for the opening match. The forwards feature, Liam Squire, at number eight in his debut Super Rugby match for the Highlanders. Shane Christie will co-captain the team and Teihorangi Walden and Matt Faddes as both will be making their debuts.
Coach Franco Smith has named Francois Venter as captain of the side and Springbok lock Lood de Jager is named as vice captain. The Cheetahs coach has also handed the flyhalf jersey to former Sharks back Fred Zeilinga with Niel Marais covering the position on the replacements bench.
Blues Hooker James Parsons, with 50 caps to his credit, will lead the side in the absence of Jerome Kaino, who is serving a one match penalty following a red card in the final pre-season match last week. Japan World Cup star Male Sa’u will start at centre alongside All Black, George Moala.North Harbour prop Sione Mafileo will make his Super Ruby debut.
Head Coach of the Highlanders, Jamie Joseph, has named an experienced line-up for the opening match. The forwards feature, Liam Squire, at number eight in his debut Super Rugby match for the Highlanders. Shane Christie will co-captain the team and Teihorangi Walden and Matt Faddes as both will be making their debuts.
Brumbies vs Hurricanes
Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham has named a side with eleven Wallabies and three debutants. Tomás Cubelli, Aidan Toua and Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin have all been named to make their Brumbies debuts.
Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will lead his side after recovering from a hamstring strain. Coles and blindside Brad Shields are the only two changes to the side that started last Saturday’s 74-7 preseason win over the Crusaders.
Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will lead his side after recovering from a hamstring strain. Coles and blindside Brad Shields are the only two changes to the side that started last Saturday’s 74-7 preseason win over the Crusaders.
Cheetahs vs Jaguares
This is the first time the Argentinian team will compete in the Super Rugby competition. Thirteen of the starting fifteen players in the Jaguares side played for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2015.
Coach Franco Smith has named Francois Venter as captain of the side and Springbok lock Lood de Jager is named as vice captain. The Cheetahs coach has also handed the flyhalf jersey to former Sharks back Fred Zeilinga with Niel Marais covering the position on the replacements bench.
