Salesi Rayasi of the Hurricanes (right) scores a try. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
Hurricanes v Rebels
Kick-off: 4.35pm Saturday 8 June
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Will this be the last time the Melbourne Rebels ever play? Odds are yes, which will be an unfortunate end for yet another Super Rugby expansion project, although they have lasted an awful lot longer than all the others.
They have also lost six games in a row coming into this, good enough for the last play-off spot though.
The Hurricanes are top of the table, having finished the regular season with only two losses. They punished the Highlanders last weekend and come in with big expectations that they can finally add a second Super Rugby title to their name.
Clark Laidlaw head coach of the Hurricanes before Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 13 April 2024. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez
Here are the team lists:
Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (c), 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Justin Sangster, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Bench: 16 James O'Reilly, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Bailyn Sullivan, 23 Kini Naholo
Rebels: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Rob Leota (c), 7 Brad Wilkin, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Josh Canham, 4 Angelo Smith, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Isaac Kailea
Bench: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Maciu Nabolakasi, 21 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 22 James Tuttle, 23 Nick Jooste
Hurricanes selections
Kini Naholo of the Hurricanes celebrates scoring try during Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 13 April 2024. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez
Clark Laidlaw has named a very strong side and has still been able to ease Brad Shields back in off the bench.
Isaia Walker-Leawere and Justin Sangster get the start in the second row, while Salesi Rayasi is retained on the wing after his hat trick last weekend. That means Bailyn Sullivan and Kini Nahollo are available for Laidlaw to use off the bench, which is a pretty handy couple of options.
Rebels selections
Melbourne Rebels players Carter Gordon and Mason Gordon celebrate. 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Do or die takes an extreme meaning for this group of players, who may walk off the park as the last Rebels ever.
Carter Gordon and Rob Leota have passed fitness tests to play, which is a huge boost as both men are key parts of any chance the Rebels have.
Taniela Tupou needs a huge game against a powerful Canes scrum.
What they're saying
"We've talked around energy that they can bring, but then what does that look like for us to take it away from them?" - Canes coach Clark Laidlaw.
"My job is to control their emotions as best I can ... but it's quarterfinals, and it's something special for us and there's a lot of excitement around that. I understand that the history tells you that the Australian teams haven't done well but you're only one result away from doing something special so you can't worry about that." - Rebels coach Kevin Foote.
The last time they met
Hurricanes 54 - 28 Rebels
It was one way traffic in Palmerston North, as the Canes shot out to a 33-0 lead in as many minutes, with Salesi Rayasi crossing twice.
It was also a comeback for two key men for the Canes - TJ Perenara was among the try-scorers after his long term injury break, while Jordie Barrett bagged two in his return from a two-game suspension.
Prediction
It is almost certainly going to go the same way in this game. It will be a sad way for the Rebels to end their existence - in a perfect world it would be at home in front of their fans, but this is professional sport, which means no excuses.
The Canes will be looking to have a decent hit out before their date with the Chiefs next weekend, so simply managing their way to an injury-free outcome is key.