Super Rugby Pacific commenced with an exciting start last weekend, featuring an unexpected outcome to kick off the season, while the Brumbies concluded the opening round with a decisive victory in Perth.
Week 2 promises more thrilling action as the Hurricanes take the field for their season debut, while the Highlanders are set to face the Chiefs in Dunedin before the Crusaders aim to secure a victory against the Brumbies to wrap up the weekend.
Best of luck with your predictions. If you haven’t set up a tipping competition yet, there’s still ample time—join ESPN Footytips today!
Friday, February 20
Hurricanes vs. Moana Pasifika
Sky Stadium, Wellington 5:05pm (AEDT)
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Bailyn Sullivan, Jordie Barrett, Fehi Fineanganofo, Brett Cameron, Ereatara Enari, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Hugo Plummer, Siale Lauaki, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Matolu Petaia, Brad Shields, Arese Poliko, Cam Roigard, Billy Proctor.
Moana: Simon Peter Toleafoa, Israel Leota, Glen Vaihu, Faletoi Peni, Tuna Tuitama, Patrick Pellegrini, Siaosi Nginingini, Dominic Ropeti, Konrad Toelafoa, Semisi Paea, Alefosio Aho, Veikoso Poloniati, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole. Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Tito Tuipulotu, Lolani Faleiva, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Tevita Ofa
Officials: Referee: Angus Gardner; Assistant Referees: George Myers; Matt Kellahan TMO: Graham Cooper
Prediction:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes: $1.13, -14.5 $1.87; Moana: $5.50, +14.5 $1.887
NSW Waratahs vs. Fijian Drua
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia 7:35pm (AEDT)
Waratahs: James Hendren, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Joey Walton, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Jake Gordon, Pete Samu, Charlie Gamble, Clem Halaholo, Miles Amatoseo, Matt Philip, Daniel Botha, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Ponipate Loganimasi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Isijeli Rabitu, Taniela Rakuro, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani, Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Joseva Tamani, Temo Mayanavanua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Dodge, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou, Manasa Mataele.
Officials: Referee: Nic Berry; Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane; Louis Trisley TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Waratahs: $1.16, -13.5 $1.90; Drua: $4.80, +13.5 $1.85
Saturday, February 21
Highlanders vs. Chiefs
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 2:35pm (AEDT)
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Lucas Casey, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Rohan Wingham, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a
Chiefs: Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson, Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit. Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O’Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Emoni Narawa
Officials: Referee: Angus Mabey; Assistant Referees: Michael Winter; Ben Woolerton TMO: Aaron Paterson
Prediction:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders: $3.70, +9.5 $1.90; Chiefs: $1.25, -9.5 $1.85
Western Force vs. Blues
HIF Health Insurance Oval, Perth, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Force: Mac Grealy, David Palu, George Brudge, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Ben Donaldson, Nathan Hastie, Vaiolini Ekusi, Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Franco Molina, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Replacements:
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Pita Akhi, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata Laghlan McWhannell, Bradley Slater, Joshua Fusitu’a. Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
Officials: Referee: Damon Murphy; Assistant Referees: Jordan Way; Jeremy Markey TMO: James Leckie
Prediction:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Force: $3.50, +9.5 $1.85; Chiefs: $1.2, -9.5 $1.90
Crusaders vs. Brumbies
Apollo Projects Stadium Christchurch, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, Finlay Brewis. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Brumbies: Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Kadin Pritchard, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Lachie Shaw, Rhys van Nek, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
Officials: Referee: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr; Warwick Lahmert TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction:
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders: $1.30, -8.5 $1.85; Brumbies: $3.30, +8.5 $1.90
