We will round the halfway point of Super Rugby Pacific this weekend, with Round 8 marking the point when the finals are now closer than they were further away.
Only the Highlanders remain without a win and while they will fancy their chances of knocking off some Aussie teams in the coming weeks, they have a great opportunity to break their season duck at home to Moana Pasifika this weekend.
Stay across all the line-ups, team news and odds for Round 8 as they come to hand below.
Highlanders vs. Moana Pasifika | Force vs. Rebels | Hurricanes vs. Crusaders | Chiefs vs. Blues | Fijian Drua vs. Brumbies
Friday, April 8
Highlanders vs. Moana Pasifika, Forysth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5.05pm [AEST]
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (c); Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan De Groot. Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Vilimoni Koroi, Denny Solomona
Moana: William Havili, Tima Fainga'anuku, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Christian Leali'ifano, Ereatara Enari; Penitoa Finau, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki, Samuel Slade, Veikoso Poloniati, Sekope Kepu, Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Mahonri Ngakuru, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders $1.04, -18.5 $1.85; Moana $10.00, +18.5, $1.90 [Odds correct as of 1pm 6/4]
Verdict: The Highlanders went ever so close to making it back-to-back wins over the Crusaders in Christchurch, but were left to lament a lack of finish inside the final 10 minutes last week. Still, that performance against the competition heavyweights should have restored a good dose of confidence, something they had been lacking in what remains a winless start to the year. Last year coach Tony Brown boldly predicted his team would beat each Aussie side in the Trans-Tasman series and so they did, which means it would be foolish to write the Highlanders off from finals contention right now. But they'll certainly want to win this one and jag the bonus point to boot. While Moana Pasifika were well beaten by the Blues, they still enjoyed multiple passages of excellent play. They are however without the hugely impressive Henry Time Stowers this week, which is a significant loss. Highlanders by 17.
Western Force vs. Melbourne Rebels, HBF Park, Perth, 7.45pm [AEST]
Force: Jake Strachan, Byron Ralston, Kyle Godwin, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Reesjan Pasitoa, Ian Prior; Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Andrew Ready, Harrison Lloyd. Replacements: Feleti Kaitu'u, Bo Abra, Greg Holmes, Izack Rodda, Ollie Callan, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui
Rebels: Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Stacey Ili, Ray Nu'u, Glen Vaihu, Matt To'omua, James Tuttle; Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Brad Wilkin, Josh Canham, Matt Philip, Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon. Replacements: James Hanson, Cameron Orr, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Hill, Sam Wallis, Joe Powell, Carter Gordon, George Worth.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Force $1.32, -7.5 $1.90; Rebels $3.30, +7.5 $1.85 [odds correct as of 1pm 6/4]
Verdict: This is a must-win game for both sides, with time fast slipping away before they face the sterner New Zealand opposition from Round 10. After enjoying a break last week, Force coach Tim Sampson has looked to tweak his line-up with Reesjan Pasitoa back at No. 10 after a number of weeks on the bench. Up front, hooker Andrew Ready gets a rare start in place of captain Feleti Kaitu'u with Wallabies lock Izack Rodda also to come into the game from the pine, Sampson perhaps feeling as though he will need the late injection of quality. The Rebels, too, are coming into this one after a week off, having at last broken their season duck a week earlier. At last there appeared to be far greater fluency in their approach while Wallabies Reece Hodge and Andrew Kellaway are finding some form after sluggish starts. This is an incredibly tough game to call but if the Force can kick on from their effort against the Brumbies two weeks ago they should edge this one and keep their season alive. Force by 2.
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Saturday, April 9
Hurricanes vs. Crusaders, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 2.35pm [AEST]
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea (c), Du'Plessis Kirifi, Te Kamaka Howden, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones. Replacements: James O'Reilly, Alex Fidow, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Jamie Booth, Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond; Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody/ Replacements: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zavh Gallagher, Tom Christie, Bryn Hall, Fergis Burke, Leicester Fainga'anuku
Odds: [tab.com.au] Hurricanes $3.80, +8.5 $1.85; $1.24, -8.5 $1.90 [odds correct as of 1pm 6/4]
Verdict: The Hurricanes will be stinging after Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. While they roared home late, pulling within a point of the visitors, they would eventually lament a sluggish start to the second half and a few simple missed tackles. The Crusaders, meanwhile, were probably a tad fortunate to hold on against the Highlanders, with Shilo Klein's late red card certainly making it a nervy finish in Christchurch. The Canes have opted to keep Jordie Barrett at No.12 this week with coach Jason Holland making only two changes; they are Josh Moorby at fullback and a Super Rugby debut for Te Kamaka Howden at No. 6. The Crusaders have meanwhile brought in Pablo Matera at blindside while Braydon Ennor slots in at No. 13 and the impressive Leicester Fainga'anuku moves to the bench. This is another incredibly tough game to call. The Canes let the Crusaders get out to a healthy lead in Round 1 and while they won't do that again here, it's hard to see the Crusaders having two bad outings in a row, despite them only sparingly really playing their best so far in 2022. Crusaders by 5.
Chiefs vs. Blues, FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5.05pm [AEST]
Chiefs: Kaleb Trask, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Brad Weber (cc); Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (cc), Kaylum Boshier, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Angus Ta'avao, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Chase Tiatia.
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Luke Romano, Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Tanielu Tele'a, AJ Lam.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Chiefs $1.80, -1.5; Blues $2.00, +1.5 $1.90 [odds correct at 1pm 6/4]
Verdict: This local derby rarely disappoints, while earlier in the year it all came down to the boot of Bryn Gatland. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Gatland pulled his penalty to the right and that was all she wrote. That result is all that separates the two sides on the table, again showing just how evenly matched they look to be in season 2022. But the Blues have a few massive ins this week, with Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson and Ofa Tu'ungafasi all coming into the starting side. The return of Barrett is particularly good news with concerns his head knock against the Highlanders a fortnight ago could end his career. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have turned to Gatland this week instead of Josh Ioane while Kaleb Trask offers additional playmaking from fullback. That has forced a reshuffle which means All Blacks centre Quinn Tupaea moves to the bench. The outstanding form of Pita Gus-Sowakula keeps Luke Jacobson on the bench. This is another extremely tough game to call but the Blues might just be a little bit fresher having managed their squad for the back-to-back games against Moana superbly. Blues by 1.
Fijian Drua vs. Brumbies, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.45pm [AEST]
Drua: Kitione Ratu, Selestino, Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Meli Deremalagi, Villie Miramira, Joseva Tamani, Chris Minimbi, Viliame Rarasea, Samuela Tawake, Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Evita Ikanivere, Timoci Sauvoli, Jone Tiko, Isao Nasilasila, Raikabula Momoedon, Rusiate Nasove, Simione Kuruvoli, Napolioni Bolaca.
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Cam Clark, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Rod Ioane, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Ed Kennedy, Tom Hooper, Darcy Swain, Sefo Kautai, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Connal McInerney, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Hudon Creighton, Ollie Sapsford.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Drua $10.00, +16.5 $1.87; Brumbies $1.03, -16.5 $1.87 [odds correct at 1pm 6/4]
Verdict: It's a second straight game for the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium, but they start red-hot favourites to win this one against the Drua. Dan McKellar has again shaken up his side with Tom Wright getting a run at fullback, after Tom Banks and then Jesse Mogg succumbed to injury. The Brumbies boss will be hoping his side doesn't suffer the same injury fate as last year, but it hasn't been a great few weeks on that front already. Elsewhere, Nic White returns to the starting side while there are rare starts for both Luke Reimer and Ed Kennedy in the back-row. Veteran prop James Slipper meanwhile will play his 150th Super Rugby game. The Drua still have just the one win to their name and they will have wanted to put in some work on defending the driving maul, where the Waratahs had great success last week. Even if they have, it's hard to see them really worrying the Brumbies, despite McKellar's side being without a significant amount of Wallabies experience. Brumbies by 15.