The NSW Waratahs have named three debutants to kick off the 2022 Super Rugby season while James O’Connor will play in his 100th Super Rugby game as the Round 1 teams are announced.
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman has picked Geoff Cridge, Dylan Pietsch and Jamie Roberts with two of the debutants named in the starting 15.
Pietsch is a former Australian Sevens player and will line up on the right wing.
“It’s pretty surreal, I tried to hold back my tears during the team meeting but didn’t really do a good job of it because I’ve wanted to play Super Rugby since I started at Leeton Phantoms when I was four,” Pietsch said.
As expected, the Queensland Reds have named Tate McDermott and Liam Wright as co-captains.
Wallabies O’Connor and McDermott will start in the halves, with Hamish Stewart and Josh Flook outside them in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has named a team that includes 12 Wallabies against the Western Force on Sunday afternoon.
It will be a big weekend of action with Matt Philip returning for the Rebels to be joined in the second-row by Ross Haylett-Petty.
Fullback Reece Hodge and centre Matt To’omua have been cleared of injury.
Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 teams (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Waratahs vs Fijian Drua
Friday, 7:45pm, CommBank Stadium
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Davie Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Geoff Cridge, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi,13. Izaia Perese, 14. Dylan Pietsch,15. Alex Newsome,
Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Jamie Roberts
Fijian Drua
1. Jone Koroiduadua, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 9. Simione Kuruvoili, 10. Baden Kerr, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Kitone Ratu, 15. Selestino Ravutaumada.
Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Caleb Muntz, 23. Onisi Ratave
Chiefs vs Highlanders
Saturday, 2:35pm, FMG Stadium, Waikato
Chiefs
Reserves: TBC
Highlanders
Reserves: TBC
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
Saturday, 5:05pm (AEST), Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders
TBC
Reserves: TBC
Hurricanes
TBC
Reserves: TBC
Reds vs Rebels
Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Reds
1. Dane Zander, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. James O’Connor,11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell,
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Spencer Jeans, 22. Hunter Paisami, 23. Lawson Creighton
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eboff, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Ross Haylett-Petty, 6. Sam Wallis, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Matt To’omua, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Reece Hodge
Reserves: 16. Matt Gibbon, 17. James Hanson, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Thomas Nowlan, 20. Tamati Ioane, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Raymond Nu’u, 23. Young Tonumaipea
Brumbies vs Force
Sunday, 3pm, GIO Stadium
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks
Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Ed Kennedy, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Ollie Sapsford, 23. Jesse Mogg
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Anstee, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Manasa Mataele*, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. Kyle Godwin (vc), 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui.