Of their greatest begin in over a decade the Waratahs stay the one unbeaten crew by means of the opening 4 weeks, however can they keep that method?
In an enormous spherical of motion that features two Kiwi derbies, it is the Reds and Waratahs who shut out the fixtures with an enormous conflict in Brisbane.
In the meantime the harm ward retains rising, learn on for all lineups, suggestions and harm updates.
Good luck together with your suggestions. Have not received a tipping comp collectively but? Don’t fret, you’ve got nonetheless received loads of time, be part of ESPN Footytips right now!
Friday, March 14
Highlanders vs. Hurricanes
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 5:05pm (AEDT)
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jake Te Hiwi
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter-Umaga Jensen, Kini Naholo, Harry Godfrey, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brad Shields, Zach Gallanger, Caleb Delany, Tevita Mafileo, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Hohepa, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Officers: Angus Mabey; Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Highlanders are proving this 12 months’s shock packets after a 2-1 begin to the season. The Hurricanes have simply the one win thus far, however are boosted by the return of Cam Roigard and Du’Plessis Kirif to the beginning lineup this week, whereas Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax will present loads of punch of the bench of their first video games of the season. Might the Highlanders be just a little rusty after the bye? Hurricanes by 3.
Prime Fantasy decide: This can be a daring play, however do not sleep on Asafo Aumua off the bench. The hooker will get a minimum of 25 minutes off the bench, and that’s greater than sufficient time for him to make some Fantasy inroads.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders $1.70, -2.5 $1.95; Hurricanes $2.10, +2.5 $1.85
Brumbies vs. Fijian Drua
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan; Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Drua: Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani; Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Meli Derenlagi,Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Samuela Tawake, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Livai Natave, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu
Officers: Jordan Method; Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan; TMO: James Leckie
Prediction: The Brumbies produced one of many best victories of their historical past away to the Blues final week, and are this week boosted by the return of Noah Lolesio. The Drua have been additionally spectacular at residence to the beforehand unbeaten Chiefs, and have proven they’ll combine it with anybody this 12 months. Can the guests flip the script on their Spherical 1 defeat in Suva? We’re not so positive. Brumbies by 12.
Prime Fantasy decide: If the Brumbies get their maul going, will probably be Billy Pollard who advantages.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Brumbies $1.20, -11.5 $1.85; Drua $4.20, +11.5 $1.95
Saturday, March 15
Crusaders vs. Western Drive
Apollo Initiatives Stadium, Christchurch 2:35pm (AEDT)
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (c), Macca Springer, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Corey Kellow, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Levi Aumua
Drive: Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Sio Tomkinson, Reesjan Pasitoa, George Poolman, Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa; Reed Prinsep, Kane Koteka, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marley Pearce. Replacements: Nic Dolly, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Sam Carter, Josh Thompson, Henry Robertson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu.
Officers: Damon Murphy; Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, George Myers TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The Crusaders began to appear like Crusaders of outdated final week, blowing away the Reds with a blistering first half in Christchurch. Will Jordan was central to that, and he once more seems to be poised to wreak some havoc this weekend. The Drive let themselves down with their self-discipline in Sydney in Spherical 4; do this once more right here and will probably be an extended afternoon. Additionally they have an all-new halves pairing and are with out star flanker Carlo Tizzano. Crusaders by 21.
Prime Fantasy decide: You simply cannot go previous Will Jordan, he’ll run amok right here.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders $1.04, -20.5 $1.90; Drive $9, +20.5 $1.90
Chiefs vs. Blues
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe; Luke Jacobson, Jahrome Brown, Simon Park, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAllister, Ollie Norris. Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona
Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Xavier Taele, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Sam Nock; Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Cam Christie, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay. Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Tristyn Prepare dinner, Che Clark, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Corey Evans
Officers: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The defending champions are already in a large gap and now face this difficult roadtrip to confront their north island neighbours, with out Beauden Barrett in addition. The Chiefs get Damian McKenzie again having spared their star playmaker from a visit to Fiji. He’ll be recent, whereas the hosts even have a bench jam-packed with firepower. Count on the Chiefs to tug away within the closing quarter. Chiefs by 14.
Prime Fantasy decide: Damian McKenzie won’t be as dominant on this Kiwi conflict, as a substitute he may effectively show supplier for Emoni Narawa.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs $1.40, -6.5 $1.85; Blues $2.90, +6.5 $1.95
QLD Reds vs. NSW Waratahs
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Reds: Heremaia Murray, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase. Replacements: Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
Waratahs: Andrew Kellaway, Triston Reilly, Henry O’Donnell, Joey Walton, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Teddy Wilson; Leafi Talataina, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair, Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed.
Officers: James Doleman; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The oldest rivalry in Australia seldom fails to ship, although it’s the Queenslanders who boast latest bragging rights. The Reds additionally welcome again Hunter Paisami and Tom Lynagh from suspension and harm respectively, whereas Seru Uru slots again in at No. 6. The Waratahs have misplaced skipper Jake Gordon and shifted Langi Gleeson to the bench, with Teddy Wilson and Leafi Talataina coming in at scrum-half and No. 8 respectively. That is simply the Waratahs’ hardest check of 2025, however is a fourth straight win an excessive amount of of a stretch? Reds by 5.
Prime Fantasy decide: Seru Uru is an all-energy back-rower that matches the mould for this contest.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds $1.50, -6.5 $1.90; Waratahs $2.55, +6.5 $1.90
Harm Ward
Brumbies
Rob Valetini (hamstring / TBC), Ben O’Donnell (hamstring/ TBC), Tevita Alatini (ACL / TBC), Harry Vella (ACL / TBC), Tuaina Taii Tualima (sickness, TBC), Noah Lolesio
Blues
Sam Darry (shoulder, season), PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee).
Chiefs
Rameka Poihipi (knee, Season), Kaleb Trask (Hamstring, 4-6 weeks), Etene Nanai-Seturo, (Hamstring, long run) Liam Coombes-Fabling (knee, 4-6 weeks), Fiti Sa (shoulder, long run) Wallace Sititi (knee, long- time period), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (shoulder, brief time period)
Crusaders
George Bell (toe/foot / TBC), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (knee / 5-6 weeks), Finlay Brewis (shoulder / season), Fletcher Anderson (heel / 2-3 weeks), Rivez Reihana (ankle / 2-3 weeks), Seb Calder (AC joint / 3-5 weeks), Quentin Unusual (Pec/hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Dom Gardiner (hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Jamie Hannah (shoulder / 4-6 weeks), Aki Tuivailala (finger / 4-6 weeks), Johnny McNicholl (hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Noah Hotham (ankle/ TBC), Cullen Grace (hamstring)
Fijian Drua
Etonia Waqa (Knee, brief time period), Epeli Momo (Knee, long run), Vilive Miramira (ankle, brief time period)
Highlanders
Oliver Haig (foot / 7 weeks ), Jonah Lowe (ACL / 4 weeks ), Jona Nareki (ankle / 2 weeks), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (neck / 7 weeks),
Hurricanes
Zach Gallagher (Achilles / TBC), Daniel Sinkinson (hamstring / spherical 8), Lucas Cashmore (knee / spherical 7), Brett Cameron (knee / season), Asafo Aumua (foot / TBC), Tyrel Lomax (ankle / spherical 5), Devan Flanders (ankle / spherical 14), Tjay Clarke (Shoulder/ spherical 9), Riley Higgins (Hand / spherical 7), Billy Proctor (Achilles / TBC)
Moana Pasifika
Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), Positive Inisi (quad), Julian Savea (knee), Lotu Inisi (hamstring), Neria Fomai (knee /out for season), Ofa Tauatevalu (decrease leg), Semisi Paea (ankle), Sione Havili Talitui (ankle).
NSW Waratahs
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot), Lucas Ripley (shoulder), Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii (toe, Spherical 6), Joey Walton (groin, TBC)
Western Drive
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee, season), Bayley Kuenzle (knee), Harry Hoopert (knee, season), Kane Koteka (ribs), Divad Palu (shoulder), Matt Proctor (shoulder), Henry Robertson (ribs), Papillon Sevele (knee), Tiaan Tauakipulu (ribs),
Queensland Reds
Jock Campbell, Matt Gibbon, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Flook
Suspensions
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Spherical 5)
Blues: Hoskins Sotutu (Spherical 6)
All odds right at time of publication.
