Super Rugby Aupiki: Team News for Round 2 - Chiefs Manawa out to upset Blues

The Auckland side travel down to Hamilton for their clash with Chiefs Manawa, with the hosts hoping to get off the mark and bag a first win of the new season. Hurricanes Poua then welcome Matatu to Upper Hutt, with the visitors vying for a second consecutive win to keep the pressure on the title favourite Blues. Once again, we've compiled all the team news ahead of the next round of Super Rugby Aupiki.

Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: Saturday, 2:05pm NZST / 3:05am UK

Chiefs Manawa return home for the first time this Super Rugby Aupiki season as they host defending champions the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.

After naming 12 debutants in their opening-round defeat, Chiefs have made further changes for Round Two, with Black Ferns Sevens representative Justine McGregor set to make her club debut at outside centre and Louise Blyde coming onto the left wing. Leomie Kloppers could also make her first appearance for the club after being named among the replacements.

Kennedy Tukuafu continues as captain from openside flanker, with Olivia Holten and Mia Anderson completing the back row. Jade Coates and Chyna Hohepa start in the second row, while Chyann Kaitapu, Vici-Rose Green and Lonita Ngalu form the front row.

Ariana Bayler and Carys Dallinger combine once again in the halves, with Shoshanah Seumanutafa partnering debutant McGregor in midfield. Blyde and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a occupy the wings, with Presayus Singh selected at fullback.

Head coach Dwayne Sweeney believes his side is ready to respond after last week's defeat.

The Blues have also made several changes following their opening-round victory over Hurricanes Poua, highlighted by a debut for loosehead prop Glory Aiono. The visitors have been forced into reshuffling after Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono and Amarante Sititi suffered concussions in Round One, while lock Maama Vaipulu serves a suspension.

Captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos continues to lead the side and is joined in the second row by Eloise Blackwell, while Tafito Lafaele comes into the starting loose forwards alongside Taufa Bason and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.

In the backs, Katelyn Vahaakolo returns from Black Ferns Sevens duty to start on the wing alongside Jaymie Kolose, with Ruahei Demant steering the side from flyhalf. Sylvia Brunt and Vahaakolo both reach the milestone of 20 Blues appearances, while Mererangi Paul continues in midfield after her try-scoring debut last weekend.

1. Chyann Kaitapu, 2. Vici-Rose Green, 3. Lonita Ngalu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Chyna Hohepa, 6. Olivia Holten, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (c), 8. Mia Anderson, 9. Ariana Bayler, 10. Carys Dallinger, 11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, 12. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 13. Justine McGregor, 14. Louise Blyde, 15. Presayus Singh.

Replacements: 16. Nicole Purdom, 17. Te Urupounamu McGarvey, 18. Amber Mundell, 19. Leomie Kloppers, 20. Tynealle Fitzgerald, 21. Holli O'Sullivan, 22. Madison Flutey, 23. Lela Ieremia.

1. Glory Aiono, 2. Atlanta Lolohea, 3. Aldora Itunu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c), 5. Eloise Blackwell, 6. Tafito Lafaele, 7. Taufa Bason, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 9. Tara Turner, 10. Ruahei Demant, 11. Jaymie Kolose, 12. Sylvia Brunt, 13. Mererangi Paul, 14. Katelyn Vahaakolo, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

Replacements: 16. Grace Gago, 17. Nijiho Nagata, 18. Harono Te Iringa, 19. Dajian Brown, 20. Danny-Elle Fesolai, 21. Ffion Penney, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Hollyrae Mete-Renata.

Venue: Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt
Kick-off: Sunday, 2:05pm NZST / 3:05am UK

The Hurricanes Poua have made sweeping changes ahead of their first home match of the Super Rugby Aupiki season, with five debutants included in the matchday squad to face an otherwise unchanged Matatū side on Sunday.

After opening their campaign with defeat to the Blues, Hurricanes Poua head coach Hayden Triggs has made eight changes to his 23, including a revamped front row where hooker Tegan Willocks and Canadian international Brooke Rempel are both set to make their Super Rugby Aupiki debuts alongside Ngano Tavake.

There is further reshuffling in the pack as co-captain Sam Taylor moves into the second row alongside Stacey Niao, while Black Ferns Sevens recruit Keelah Bodle will make her debut at openside flanker. Anahera Hamahona comes into the side at blindside, with Greer Muir retained at number eight.

The backs have also been reconfigured, with Iritana Hohaia switching from fullback to scrum-half to partner Black Fern Renee Holmes in the halves. Kokako Raki earns her first Super Rugby Aupiki start at inside centre, while Keira Su'a-Smith comes onto the right wing and Arene Landon-Lane shifts to fullback.

Litia Bulicakau and Hinemaringi Scott are also poised to make their Super Rugby Aupiki debuts from the bench. "We experienced some important lessons about the style we want to play, and our preparation for that has been great this week," Triggs said.

"There's been some exciting energy around the facility about our home match this week. There are opportunities for some new players and another chance for us to play the game on our terms. Respecting Matatū and what they bring is important, but belief in who we are is our priority."

Matatū, meanwhile, have opted for continuity following last week's victory, making just one change to their starting XV. Pip Love returns at tighthead prop to join Maddi Robinson and Nat Delamere in the front row, while the remainder of the starting side remains unchanged.

That includes the in-form loose forward trio of Fiaali'i Solomona, Elinor-Plum King and Kaipo Olsen-Baker, with King looking to build on her hat-trick from the opening round. The backline is also retained in full, with Maia Joseph and Hannah King continuing their halves partnership, while captain Grace Brooker and Amy du Plessis combine once again in midfield.

Three players are in line to make their Super Rugby Aupiki debuts from the bench, with Abigail Paton, Maia Davis and former Black Ferns Sevens representative Alena Saili all included among the replacements.

15 Arene Landon-Lane, 14 Keira Su'a-Smith, 13 Leilani Hakiwai, 12 Kokako Raki, 11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 10 Renee Holmes, 9 Iritana Hohaia; 1 Ngano Tavake, 2 Tegan Willocks, 3 Brooke Rempel, 4 Sam Taylor (co-c), 5 Stacey Niao, 6 Anahera Hamahona, 7 Keelah Bodle, 8 Greer Muir

Replacements: 16 Keiana Roffey, 17 Angel Mulu, 18 Faythe Finau, 19 Brianna Wallace, 20 Lily Murray-Wihongi, 21 Litia Bulicakau, 22 Te Rauoriwa Gapper (co-c), 23 Hinemaringi Scott

15 Poppy Baxter, 14 Winnie Palamo, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Grace Brooker (c), 11 Binky Muamua, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph; 1 Maddi Robinson, 2 Nat Delamere, 3 Pip Love, 4 Laura Bayfield (vc), 5 Paris Lokotui, 6 Fiaali'i Solomona, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker

Replacements: 16 Holly Greenway, 17 Marcelle Parkes, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Emma Dermody, 20 Sarah Jones, 21 Abigail Paton, 22 Maia Davis, 23 Alena Saili