Super Rugby Pacific semifinal teams: Slips back as Larkham beefs up bench with 6-2 split

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The final four will battle out the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals this weekend with the Brumbies flying the Australian flag and three Kiwi sides also looking to reach the final.

Check out all the team selections and news as it’s revealed below.

(Times are AEST)

Friday

Blues vs Brumbies, 5.05pm

Wallaby prop James Slipper has recovered to take his place from the start for the Brumbies as coach Stephen Larkham has opted for a 6-2 bench.

Slipper suffered a calf injury suffered in the club’s Round 13 fixture against the Rebels and his replacement Blake Schoupp was also subsequently injured. Harry Vella struggled in the set pice in the Brumbies’ quarterfinal win over the Highlanders.

Rory Scott comes in at flanker, while the bench takes has been tweaked.

Partnering Slipper in the front row is captain Allan Alaalatoa who will also pack in alongside Billy Pollard fresh off his try-double in the quarterfinal.

Darcy Swain will partner Tom Hooper at lock, with Scott rounding out the back-row with Rob Valetini at blindside flanker and Charlie Cale at No.8.

Larkham boasts an unchanged backline.

The Brumbies have opted to carry an extra forward on the bench as Liam Bowron, Rhys Van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown and Luke Reimer all take their places in the game day 23. Rounding out the side in the remaining bench positions will be Harrison Goddard and Ollie Sapsford who both retain their spots.

The Blues have made one enforced change from their quarterfinal win over Fijian Drua after the loss of lock and skipper Patrick Tuipulotu who suffered a knee injury.

Lock Sam Darry returns to the starting side after sitting out last week under concussion protocols.

The change also means openside flanker Dalton Papali’i assumes the Blues captaincy.

It will be a last home game for Blues forward Akira Ioane, who is heading overseas next season.

“Aki is a veteran of this team, a man of action and someone who commands respect from both his team mates and his opposition,” said coach Vern Cotter.

“The boys know this could be the last time he runs out on Eden Park in a Blues jersey and we want to make sure we put in a performance worthy of the occasion.”

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Stephen Perofeta

RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, James Thompson, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Ollie Sapsford

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon.

Saturday

Hurricanes vs Chiefs, 2.35pm

The Chiefs have named an unchanged 23 from the side that smashed the Reds last week.

The Hurricanes have lost prop Xavier Numia although All Black Trel Lomax returns after injury. Captain Brad Shields is also back in the starting line up.

HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri-Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love

RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd, Bailyn Sullivan

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan

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