Super Rugby: Team News for Qualifying Finals - Damien McKenzie returns for Chiefs

Just six teams remain in the competition, with the stakes raised as we head into the knock-out stage of the annual Southern Hemisphere showdown. The action starts in Wellington as the top ranked Hurricanes take on the sixth placed ACT Brumbies at Hnry Stadium.

This is followed by the Crusaders hosting their rivals, the Blues, in Christchurch, out to keep their unbeaten run at One NZ Stadium going. The first round of finals ends in Hamilton with the Chiefs battling the Queensland Reds in a rematch of the 2024 Qualifying Finals. So, with progression on the line, here is a run down of the team news for the incoming Super Rugby weekend.

The Hurricanes have welcomed back a host of frontline stars for Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final against the ACT Brumbies in Wellington, as the top seeds look to convert a dominant regular season into a deep playoff run.

After finishing first on the ladder, the Hurricanes regain co-captains Jordie Barrett and Du’Plessis Kirifi, while Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi also return to strengthen the front row. Kirifi’s comeback from a shoulder injury reunites an experienced loose forward trio alongside Brad Shields and Peter Lakai, while Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continue their increasingly influential halves partnership.

The Brumbies arrive with plenty of confidence of their own, having beaten the Crusaders, Chiefs, Blues and Highlanders during the regular season. Stephen Larkham has made two changes to the side that secured a home qualifying final berth, with Lachlan Lonergan starting at hooker and Luke Reimer returning to the back row alongside Rob Valetini and Charlie Cale, who continues his comeback from injury after scoring nine tries in seven appearances earlier this season.

Both teams boast dangerous backlines. Jordie Barrett partners Billy Proctor in midfield for the Hurricanes, while Tom Wright again shapes as a key attacking weapon for the Brumbies after consistently troubling Wellington in recent meetings. The Canberra outfit will also draw confidence from winning their last three playoff clashes against the Hurricanes, including last season’s qualifying final, setting up another compelling knockout encounter between two of the competition’s leading contenders.

HURRICANES XV (1–15): 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Jordie Barrett (co-c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Replacements: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Ngane Punivai.

ACT BRUMBIES XV (1–15): 1. James Slipper, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Lachlan Shaw, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Luke Reimer, 8. Charlie Cale, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Hudson Creighton, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright.

Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Rory Scott, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Ollie Sapsford.

The Crusaders have been forced into a front-row reshuffle for Saturday’s Qualifying Final against the Blues in Christchurch, but head into the knockout clash buoyed by another sold-out crowd and the return of several key players. With a place in the semi-finals on the line, Rob Penney’s side welcome back Taha Kemara at fly-half, while Braydon Ennor and Tahlor Cahill return from injury to strengthen the bench.

Injuries to Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder have prompted changes up front, with George Bower switching across to tighthead prop and Finlay Brewis starting at loosehead. Codie Taylor and David Havili provide leadership in a side packed with finals experience, while Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Christian Lio-Willie form a powerful loose forward trio.

The Blues arrive in Christchurch boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu and hooker Bradley Slater, while veteran prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is set to become the most capped player in Blues history with his 165th appearance. Stephen Perofeta continues at fly-half with Beauden Barrett still unavailable, while young hooker Eli Oudenryn retains his place in the matchday 23 after scoring on debut last week.

The visitors will take confidence from securing a home qualifying final place and have welcomed back several experienced figures at the right time, but face one of the competition’s most formidable playoff records in Christchurch. With both teams strengthened by returning internationals and proven leaders, this shapes as one of the standout fixtures of the opening finals weekend.

CRUSADERS XV (1–15): 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. Codie Taylor (VC), 3. George Bower, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (C), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Replacements: 16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Gus Brown*, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Dom Gardiner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Braydon Ennor.

BLUES XV (1–15): 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (165th appearance), 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Torian Barnes, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Malachi Wrampling, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. Xavi Taele, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Zarn Sullivan.

Replacements: 16. Eli Oudenryn, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Corey Evans, 23. Payton Spencer.

The Gallagher Chiefs have recalled a host of frontline All Blacks for Saturday’s qualifying final against the Queensland Reds in Hamilton, with Damian McKenzie returning from concussion and Luke Jacobson resuming the captaincy as the home side welcomes back seven Test players to its starting XV.

Already assured of home advantage, the Chiefs used the final round of the regular season to rotate heavily, but Jono Gibbes has restored much of his first-choice lineup for the knockout clash. McKenzie’s return at fly-half is a major boost, partnering Cortez Ratima in the halves, while Quinn Tupaea adds experience and creativity in midfield. Up front, Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i and Simon Parker all return, while Wallace Sititi continues at No.8 after captaining the side last week.

The Reds have made four changes to the team that defeated the Fijian Drua, with Filipo Daugunu shifting into inside centre to cover for the injured Hunter Paisami. Josh Nasser starts at hooker, Joe Brial comes into the back row and Jock Campbell returns at fullback, while Fraser McReight will bring up his 100th Queensland appearance in a milestone finals fixture.

Les Kiss’s side arrive in Hamilton buoyed by strong recent form, but face a Chiefs team with an outstanding home playoff record. The New Zealanders have won their last three matches against the Reds and all six previous finals meetings with Australian opposition at FMG Stadium Waikato.

CHIEFS XV (1–15): 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15. Isaac Hutchinson.

Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. George Dyer, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Leroy Carter.

QUEENSLAND REDS XV (1–15): 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Filipo Daugunu, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Jock Campbell.

Replacements: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. George Blake, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Hamish Muller, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Treyvon Pritchard.