Rebels turn to Olympian for big Super Round test

The Rebels person turned to Olympian Joe Pincus to marque his nine debut astatine fullback successful Friday's large Super Round trial against the Hurricanes.

All 12 Super Rugby Pacific clubs volition converge connected Melbourne for a bumper 3 days of enactment astatine AAMI Park.

Keep checking successful for each the latest squad news.

Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific play connected the location of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming advertisement free, unrecorded and connected demand

CRUSADERS vs HIGHLANDERS, Friday 6pm AEDT

Crusaders large Sam Whitelock has returned to the 2nd enactment arsenic the defending champions look to atone for their astonishment opening circular nonaccomplishment to the Chiefs successful Christchurch.

Whitelock missed the opening circular with concussion.

The Crusaders volition beryllium without injured No.8 Cullen Grace (shoulder) and prop Fletcher Newell (knee/foot), with Christian Lio-Willie and Tamaiti Williams coming successful to start.

David Havili has been moved from fullback to wrong centre, with Fergus Burke getting the motion successful the No.15 jersey.

For the Highlanders, erstwhile England alert fractional Freddie Burns volition marque his archetypal commencement aft being utilized disconnected the seat successful circular one.

CRUSADERS (15-1): Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Seb Calder, George Bower, Zach Gallagher, Sioni Talitui, Noah Hotham, Braydon Ennor, Macca Springer

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Connor Garden-Bachop, Freddie Burns, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Will Tucker, Paripari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ayden Johnstone

Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Mosese Dawai

Referee: Nic Berry

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REBELS vs HURRICANES, Friday 8.10pm AEDT

The Rebels person turned to Olympian Joe Pincus to marque his nine debut astatine fullback successful Friday's large Super Round trial against the Hurricanes.

Pincus, 26, played for Australia successful sevens astatine the Tokyo Olympics successful 2021 earlier switching to the XV antheral game.

He was contracted to the Rebels last twelvemonth but did not play a Super Rugby game.

Pincus replaces Nick Jooste successful the starting line-up, aft the Rebels fto a 17-3 pb gaffe successful the play opening 34-27 nonaccomplishment to the Force successful Perth.

Joe Pincus of Australia dives onto a escaped shot astatine Twickenham. (Getty)

Rebels prop Matt Gibbon - who this week re-signed done to 2025 - was relishing the situation of tackling a Hurricanes outfit that blew the Reds distant successful the 2nd fractional of a 47-13 triumph successful Townsville.

"Their forwards are incredibly beardown and we're truly looking guardant to this one. I don't deliberation I've really ever beaten the Hurricanes since I've been astatine the Rebels truthful I've got 50 caps this play and it would beryllium beauteous to get 1 up connected those boys," Gibbon said.

"We decidedly person immoderate things to hole up connected the weekend."

The Hurricanes person made 3 changes to their starting line-up, each successful the guardant pack.

Prop Tyrel Lomax replaces Owen Franks portion flankers Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brayden Iose travel successful for Peter Lakai and Devan Flanders respectively.

REBELS (15-1): Joe Pincus, Lachie Anderson, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Monty Ioane, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Richard Hardwick, Brad Wilkin (c), Tuiana Taii Tualima, Trevor Hosea, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Alex Mafi, Matt Gibbon

Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr, Pone Fa'amausili, Angelo Smith, Josh Kemeny, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley, Nick Jooste

HURRICANES (15-1): 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

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Caleb Delany, Peter Lakai, Jamie Booth, Riley Higgins, Harry Godfrey

Referee: James Doleman

NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack the archetypal circular of Super Rugby Pacific squad by team

MOANA PASIFIKA vs CHIEFS, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT

MOANA (TBC)

CHIEFS (TBC)

Referee: Angus Gardner

Teen phenom scores archetypal Super Rugby try

FIJIAN DRUA vs WARATAHS, Saturday 7.35pm AEDT

DRUA (TBC)

WARATAHS (TBC)

Referee: Jordan Way

Lonergan catches NSW napping

BLUES vs BRUMBIES, Sunday 2pm AEDT

BLUES (TBC)

BRUMBIES (TBC)

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

'A comeback communicative for the ages!'

FORCE vs REDS, Sunday 4.30pm AEDT

FORCE (TBC)

REDS (TBC)

Referee: Paul Williams

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