{"id":283782,"date":"2023-04-06T02:49:50","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T02:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=283782"},"modified":"2023-04-06T15:01:51","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T15:01:51","slug":"teams-cattle-prod-contradiction-in-shock-axing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=283782","title":{"rendered":"Teams: 'Cattle prod' contradiction in shock axing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Queensland coach Brad Thorn has made two bombshell selection calls by dropping James O'Connor<\/a> to the bench against the Brumbies and dumping Suliasi Vunivalu<\/a> from the 23 entirely.<\/p>\n

And exciting hooker Billy Pollard is on the Brumbies bench for the first time in 2023, alongside returning Wallabies lock Darcy Swain.<\/p>\n

Read on for all the latest Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> team news.<\/p>\n

\ufeffWatch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fainga'anuku<\/p>\n

CRUSADERS vs MOANA PASIFIKA in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm AEST\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\ufeffll Blacks star Richie Mo'unga will play his 100th game for the Crusaders in what is his final season for the club before taking up a lucrative three year contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan.<\/p>\n

"He's special to us and myself personally," Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.<\/p>\n

"What he's done for the Crusaders is incredible, on and off the field.<\/p>\n

"I watched him play club rugby, watched him play for his beloved Linwood and it felt like he was playing touch rugby for them \u2013 the amount of time and the skillset that he had, the bravado and all the cheekiness put into one.<\/p>\n

"But he's a winner. He knows how to win, he knows how to close games out. He knows how to be brave in big moments."<\/p>\n

CRUSADERS (15-1):<\/strong> Fergus Burke, Will Gualter, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Macca Springer, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Sione Havili-Talitui, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor (c), Joe Moody<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Willi Heinz, David Havili, Melani Nanai<\/p>\n

MOANA PASIFIKA (15-1):<\/strong> William Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Solomone Funaki (c), Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Samuel Slade, Michael Curry, Joe Apikotoa, Samuel Moli, Ezekiel Lindenmuth<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Mike McKee, Jonah Mau'u, Manu Paea, D'Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi<\/p>\n

Referee:<\/strong> James Doleman\ufeff<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Norman fumes at 'petty' Augusta National snub<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Wests Tigers star hits out over damning claim<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Peng Shuai mystery clouds ITF's big China call<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Vunivalu<\/p>\n

REDS vs BRUMBIES in Brisbane, Friday 7.35pm AEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queensland coach Brad Thorn has made two bombshell selection calls by dropping James O'Connor to the bench against the Brumbies and dumping Suliasi Vunivalu from the 23 entirely.<\/p>\n

Young Lawson Creighton will start at No.10 ahead of O'Connor \ufeffwhile Filipo Daugunu replaces fellow Fijian Vunivalu on the wing.<\/p>\n

That is despite Wallabies coach Eddie Jones giving the former NRL star a start in his 33 man training camp to assemble on the Gold Coast later this month.\ufeff<\/p>\n

"Contradiction is a big part of selection," Jones told reporters.<\/p>\n

"You're always trying to find players you feel can be world class. That's the ultimate task, is to find players who can be world class.<\/p>\n

NEW PODCAST: Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles analyse Eddie Jones' intriguing first Wallabies squad and a Brumbies-Waratahs derby for the ages<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/between-two-posts-1\/right-calls-wrong-calls-and-phone-calls\/embed?style=Cover<\/a><\/p>\n

"And I've seen Vulivalu play for Melbourne Storm. I've seen him play in NRL. I've seen bits and pieces of his play for Australia A, and bits and pieces of what he's done for Queensland.<\/p>\n

"There's a lot of gaps in his game at the moment. But our job as coaches is to help him fill the gaps. So if you've got a cattle prod at training get it out, it might help him."<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Brumbies have named an unchanged starting side for what will be \ufeffCadeyrn Neville's 100th Super Rugby appearance.<\/p>\n

Exciting hooker Billy Pollard is on the bench for the first time this season, alongside returning Wallabies lock Darcy Swain.<\/p>\n

REDS (15-1):<\/strong> Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Lawson Creighton, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (co-c), Seru Uru, Angus Blyth, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Matt Faessler, Peni Ravai<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Taj Annan<\/p>\n

BRUMBIES (15-1):<\/strong> Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Pete Samu, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O'Donnell<\/p>\n

Referee:<\/strong> Ben O'Keeffe\ufeff<\/p>\n

\"Hurricanes<\/p>\n

HIGHLANDERS vs HURRICANES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm AEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aidan Morgan will return to the Hurricanes No.10 jersey on Saturday after sustaining a concussion in round four against the Waratahs.<\/p>\n

Morgan replaces Brett Cameron, who injured his leg in last weekend's win over the Force in Palmerston North.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Captain Ardie Savea returns to No.8 following an All Blacks rest week.<\/p>\n

On the bench, Peter Umaga-Jensen will have his first run of the season after shoulder reconstruction surgery.<\/p>\n

"Pete has worked hard to get back playing and we're really happy to see him back on the field," Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.<\/p>\n

"He's in good nick and will cover 12 and 13 off the bench."<\/p>\n

Umaga-Jensen's twin brother Thomas has been named to start in the Highlanders No.12 jersey.<\/p>\n

Star halfback Aaron Smith was unavailable for selection as he supp\ufefforts his family who are dealing with an illness.<\/p>\n

HIGHLANDERS (15-1):<\/strong> Sam Gilbert, Mosese Dawai, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jonah Lowe, Mitch Hunt, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon (c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot<\/p>\n

Reserves<\/strong>: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Scott Gregory, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u<\/p>\n

HURRICANES (15-1):\ufeff<\/strong> Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Aidan Morgan, Cameron Roigard, Ardie Savea (c), Du'Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Xavier Numia<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Owen Franks, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey, Peter Umaga-Jensen<\/p>\n

Referee:<\/strong> Damon Murphy\ufeff<\/p>\n

\"Barrett<\/p>\n

REBELS vs BLUES in Melbourne, Saturday 7.35pm AEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wallabies star Andrew Kellaway will \ufeffmake his first start of the season at outside centre against the Blues on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Kellaway replaces Stacey Ili in midfield, with Reece Hodge moving in to start at inside centre.<\/p>\n

The Rebels lost to the Fijian Drua in Suva last weekend.\ufeff<\/p>\n

"This is one of the toughest competitions in the world, and one of the challenges is overcoming travel and backing up your performance's week after week, and that's what we're looking to do," Hodge said.<\/p>\n

"We've shown some really positive signs through the early stages of the season, and there's been great growth in the group from a number of our younger players.<\/p>\n

"This block coming up either side of the bye is really important in terms of getting the result and building in attack and defence.<\/p>\n

"We need to stick to our game and continue buying into the style of footy that we want to play and keep improving and keep growing as team."<\/p>\n

REBELS (15-1): \ufeff<\/strong>Joe Pincus, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge, Monty Ioane, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Brad Wilkin (c), Josh Kemeny, Trevor Hosea, Josh Canham, Pone Fa'amausili, Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff<\/p>\n

Reserves: \ufeff<\/strong>Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Lukas Ripley<\/p>\n

BLUES (15-1): \ufeff<\/strong>Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Anton Segner, Dalton Papalii (c), Adrian Choat, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Soane Vikena, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Lay, Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Caleb Tangitau<\/p>\n

Referee:<\/strong> Reuben Keane<\/p>\n

\"Chiefs<\/p>\n

BYES: CHIEFS, FIJIAN DRUA, FORCE, WARATAHS<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Queensland coach Brad Thorn has made two bombshell selection calls by dropping James O'Connor to the bench against the Brumbies and dumping Suliasi Vunivalu from […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283782"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=283782"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":283784,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283782\/revisions\/283784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=283782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=283782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=283782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}