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It’s a top v bottom clash to kick off round three of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday night in Hamilton.
The high-flying Chiefs, who are the only side with two bonus-point wins, go head to head with the hapless Highlanders, who are the only side with no competition points.
Saturday’s double-header should then serve up a couple of absorbing contests.
The Fijian Drua run out on home turf for the first time this season, taking on the defending champion Crusaders, who bounced back strongly in the Super Round, then it’s the Ardie Savea-less Hurricanes looking for a third win on the trot against a Blues side coming off defeat in Melbourne to the Brumbies.
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Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning, can Moana Pasifika get their first win of the season when they take on the Force in Perth?
Chiefs v Highlanders
Friday, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has largely prescribed to the ‘never change a winning team’ philosophy as the table-toppers go in search of a third-straight win to start the season.
There are only two personnel changes to the starting lineup from the victory over Moana Pasifika in Melbourne last weekend.
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, John Ryan, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.
The Highlanders have regained All Blacks Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Ethan de Groot for the clash in Hamilton.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Can Aaron Smith’s return help turn the Highlanders’ fortunes around?
However, injuries continue to strike in the outside backs, with Sam Gilbert ruled out with a shoulder injury.
As a result Englishman Freddie Burns has been given the No 15 jersey, with Mosese Dawai and Argentinian Martin Bogado on the wings, replacing the injured Jona Nareki (foot) and Jonah Lowe (concussion).
Josh Dickson returns at lock and the side will be captained by James Lentjes in the absence of Billy Harmon. Harmon and Folau Fakatava will observe their All Black breaks this week.
Highlanders: Freddie Burns, Martin Bogado, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Hugh Renton, James Lentjes (c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Leni Apisai Ayden Johnstone Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Fijian Drua v Crusaders
Saturday, 4.35pm, Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fijian Drua: TBA
Crusaders: TBA
Hurricanes v Blues
Saturday, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Hurricanes: TBA
Blues: TBA
Force v Moana Pasifika
Sunday, 12am, HBF Park, Perth
Force: TBA
Moana Pasifika: TBA
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