And so all of it comes right down to this: one spherical to determine the ultimate make-up of the highest six!
Because it stands, no workforce from first via to eighth is assured of its last ending place, with all 5 video games on this weekend’s last spherical have at the very least some bearing on the ladder.
Learn on for all lineups, ideas and harm updates for Spherical 16.
Good luck together with your ideas.
Friday, Might 30
Highlanders vs. Chiefs
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5:05pm (AEST)
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lowe, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-capt), Taniela Filimone, Taine Robinson, Cam Millar, Folau Fakatava; Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka Howden, Tai Cribb, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-capt). Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Leroy Carter, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe; Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (c), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Manasa Mataele.
Officers: Ben O’Keefe; Assistants: Marcus Playle, Jackson Henshaw; TMO; Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Highlanders should nonetheless be kicking themselves after final week’s near-miss in opposition to the Crusaders, when goal-kicking allow them to down. However Jamie Joseph’s males have proven in every of the previous two weeks that they’re a troublesome nut to crack, and they might love nothing greater than to spoil the Chiefs’ march in the direction of high seeding for the playoffs. The guests had been in scintillating kind final week in opposition to Moana Pasifika, although, and look to peaking at simply the proper time. Chiefs by 7.
Prime Fantasy choose:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders $5.20, +12.5 $1.90; Chiefs $1.14; -12.5 $1.85
Brumbies vs. Crusaders
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7.35pm [AEST]
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan; Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Feao Fotuaika, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lington Leli, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Brayden Ennor.
Officers: James Doleman; Assistants: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The clear sport of the spherical, given it is third vs. second and the all-important homeground benefit, via to the semis at the very least, is on supply. The Brumbies come into this one refreshed after the bye, however accomplish that with out skipper Allan Alaalatoa. The week earlier than that, they held the Reds to simply 14 factors and can should be miserly right here as soon as extra. The Crusaders struggled in opposition to the Highlanders final week and had been fortunate to carry on. However they’ve an ideal file in opposition to Aussie groups this season, and all the time flip up in Canberra. Noah Lolesio is an enormous in for the Brumbies. Brumbies by 3.
Prime Fantasy Choose:
Odds: [tab.com.au] Brumbies $1.85; -0.5 $1.90; Crusaders $1.90; +0.5 $1.85
Saturday, Might 31
Blues vs. NSW Waratahs
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm (AEST)
Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a. Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.
Waratahs: Lawson Creighton, Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson; Langi Gleeson, Jamie Adamson, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster
Officers: Nic Berry; Assistants: Paul Williams, George Myers; TMO; Brett Cronan
Prediction: In some way, the Waratahs are nonetheless alive in 2025. Their super-point win in Perth prolonged their season by one other week — sadly there isn’t any place they’d quite not go than Auckland. NSW has only one win there in historical past, not only one from Tremendous Rugby, however one full-stop. They’ve given Jack Bowen a shot at fly-half this week, with Tane Edmed slotting again to the bench, and there’s no Jake Gordon The Blues ought to be refreshed after the bye final week and, on paper at the very least, ought to have an excessive amount of firepower for the Waratahs. Blues by 23.
Prime Fantasy choose:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Blues $1.04, -19.5 $1.90; Waratahs $9.00, +19.5 $1.85
Hurricanes vs. Moana Pasifika
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 5:05pm (AEST)
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor (co-capt), Peter Umaga-Jensen, Fehi Fineanganofo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Devan Flanders, Hugo Plummer, Zach Gallagher, Tyrel Lomax, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields (co-capt), Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Tjay Clarke.
Pasifika: Tevita Ofa, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Julian Savea, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ardie Savea (capt), Miracle Faiilagi, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Lotu Inisi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Backyard-Bachop, Pepesana Patafilo.
Officers: Angus Gardner; Assistants: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Hurricanes proceed to impress within the again half of the season, final week’s win over the Reds in Brisbane one other instance of their potential to upset the formguide through the playoffs. Win this one and they’re assured fourth spot, and they’re going to additionally wish to precise revenge on Moana Pasifika after a loss earlier within the yr. Ardie Savea was in the meantime powerless as Pasifika had been crunched by the Chiefs final week. They’re going to want to maneuver on rapidly from that as a maiden finals berth beckons. Sadly, the Hurricanes look to be travelling to nicely proper now. Hurricanes by 12.
Prime Fantasy choose:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes $1.20, -11.5 $1.87; Pasifika $4.20, +11.5 $1.87
Queensland Reds vs. Fijian Drua
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEST)
Reds: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Ryan Smith, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase. Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Philips, Filipo Daugunu
Drua: Selestino Ravutaumada, Ponipate Loganimasi, Iosefo Masi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Taniela Rakuro, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Philip Baselala; Kitione Salawa, Motikai Murray, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Samuela Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakiavata, Simione Kuruvoli, Inia Tabuavou, Isikeli Rabitu
Officers: Damon Murphy; Assistants: Jordan Method, Jeremy Markey; TMO: James Leckie
Prediction: A poor seven-minute interval earlier than halftime harm the Reds badly final week, regardless of a courageous second-half fightback. They want only one level to ensure themselves fifth, however they’ll wish to rediscover their greatest earlier than a roadtrip, to both New Zealand or Canberra, within the first week of the playoffs. The Drua have been the good disappointments this season, significantly away from dwelling, and their season was performed a fortnight in the past. This ought to be a cushty Queensland win. Reds by 20.
Prime Fantasy choose:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds $1.07, -16.5 $1.90; Drua $7.50, +16.5 $1.85
Harm Ward
Brumbies
Allan Alaalatoa – ankle, 2-3 weeks, Jack Debreczeni – groin, 3-4 weeks Ben O’Donnell – hamstring operation, 3-4 weeks Charlie Cale – decrease again harm, timeline 4-5 weeks Tevita Alatini – ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, timeline TBC Blake Schoupp – ruptured achilles, 8+ months
Blues
Reon Paul (shoulder), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).
Chiefs
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Returning Quickly; Kaleb Trask, Ankle, TBC; Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term; Anton Lienert Brown, Collarbone, Mid-term; Malachi Wrampling, Hamstring, Mid-term; Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Lengthy-term; Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season
Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder (hamstring/TBC), Dom Gardiner (foot/TBC), Jonny Lee (calf/4 weeks), Lewis Ponini (calf/ 4-6 weeks), Finlay Brewis (shoulder/season), Will Jordan [knee, TBA], Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell
Fijian Drua
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre- Knee, short-term Vilive Miramira – Knee, short-term Ilaisa Droasese – Wrist, short-term Epeli Momo – Knee, long-term Frank Lomani – Shoulder, long-term Caleb Muntz- Shoulder, short-term Meli Derenalagi – Knee, long-term
Highlanders
Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks) Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring 1-2 weeks) Jona Nareki (Knee 1-2 Weeks) Nikora Broughton (Knee MCL 4-6 weeks) Finn Hurley (Quad, Season), Hayden Michaels (Hamstring, Season) Ajay Faleafaga (Damaged hand, Season) James Arscott (Shoulder, TBC)
Hurricanes
Brett Cameron (Knee, Season) Devan Flanders (Ankle, Spherical 14) Harry Godfrey (Decrease Leg, Spherical 15) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Shoulder, TBC)
Moana Pasifika
Alamanda Motuga (shoulder) Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou (concussion) High quality Inisi (ankle) James Lay (neck) Lotu Inisi (knee) Michael Curry (neck) Neria Fomai (knee/out for season) Sama Malolo (shoulder/out for season) Samiuela Moli (rib) Sione Mafile’o (neck) Solomon Alaimalo (foot).
NSW Waratahs
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii [fractured jaw] Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis), Jimmy Hendren (damaged wrist)
Queensland Reds
George Blake, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Liam Wright
Western Power,
Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder) Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee, season) Harry Hoopert (knee, season) Tom Horton (head harm protocols) Divad Palu (shoulder) Marley Pearce (shoulder) Dylan Pietsch (quad) Matt Proctor (shoulder)
Suspensions
Blues: Mark Tele’a
Highlanders: Sean Withy (Spherical 12)
All odds appropriate at time of publication.
