Weekend Heats Up with Super Rugby Pacific Quarter-Finals
This weekend marks a do-or-die moment in the Super Rugby Pacific competition as the knockout rounds commence. On Friday, the quarter-final action kicks off in Hamilton, where the Chiefs host the Reds.
The Chiefs have received a significant boost with the return of All Blacks backline duo Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa, who were late withdrawals last week due to hamstring and back injuries, respectively. Fellow internationals Anton Lienert-Brown and Tupou Vaa’i are also back in the lineup after being rested.
At Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane will return to action for the Blues’ clash with the Fijian Drua, having missed their previous match against the Chiefs due to a hand injury.
In Wellington, Ioane’s All Blacks midfield partner, Jordie Barrett, will captain the Hurricanes as regular skipper Brad Shields returns to the bench for their encounter with the Melbourne Rebels. The Rebels are boosted by the return of Wallabies fly-half Carter Gordon, who has recovered from a two-week absence due to concussion symptoms, in what could potentially be the club’s final Super Rugby Pacific match following Rugby Australia’s decision to axe them from the competition.
Elsewhere, the Brumbies host the Highlanders in Canberra, with both sides looking to secure a spot in the next round of the bbc sport rugby union tournament.
Throughout the weekend, rugby union enthusiasts can follow the latest scores, results, and news from these crucial quarter-final matches, which will determine the teams that progress to the rugby union world cup final.
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