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TJ Perenara will have a letter from his ankle, so will miss the match.

Hurricanes Head Coach, Mark Hammett was delighted to be able to take the team on the road for this exciting match. “This is both a fantastic opportunity to take the team out into the heartland of Hurricanes’ territory and get game time for our group heading into the last three games of the regular competition.”

“We’ve held open training sessions in the Horowhenua Kapiti area before which always get a big turnout from the local community and school groups. I know the team would love to see a big turnout again for this match with the Crusaders,” said Hammett.

Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union CEO, Corey Kennett added: “The Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union is extremely excited about hosting the Hurricanes and Crusaders in Levin on Friday the 21st of June. This will be a great occasion for the rugby community and the wider community in general, the HKRFU are thrilled to be able to arrange for this match to be played at the Levin Domain”.

“The HKRFU would like to thank the Hurricanes for their continued support and we are very appreciative of this opportunity.”

This match will kick off at 6.45pm at the Levin Domain. Details on tickets will be announced next week.

The Hurricanes have met the Crusaders twice this season. Early in the year in Timaru the two played a pre-season match, where the Canes came out on top by one point. That winning margin was repeated in Wellington on the 8th March in their first competition encounter. Looking ahead, the Crusaders will host their second derby match in Christchurch during the final round of the competition on Friday 12th July.

Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder is pleased to be playing the Hurricanes during the June test window. “It is really important to keep our focus and momentum during this three week break. Playing the Hurricanes will allow us to keep on top of our game and be fully prepared for the final three rounds of Super Rugby games,” said Blackadder.

This match will provide the two teams’ game time before kicking back into the Investec Super Rugby season a week later for the final stage of the competition. In round 18, when the competition resumes for the New Zealand conference, the Hurricanes will face the defending Champions the Chiefs in Hamilton. Meanwhile the Crusaders head south to play rival neighbours, the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

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Queensland Rugby will host its second annual Indigenous Round contest during the Reds upcoming Super Rugby fixture against the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Held as part of National Reconciliation Week, the fixture provides an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage on an international stage and comes after Queensland Rugby successfully hosted Rugby’s first-ever Indigenous Round match in 2012.

Special edition jerseys have again been created for the occasion by Indigenous artist Stephen Hogarth and will be individually signed and then auctioned off to raise funds for the participants and communities involved with the Queensland Reds Indigenous Program.

The program has been in operation for three years now, and serves to assist Indigenous communities such as Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Yarrabah, Woorabinda and Cherbourg by offering participants genuine pathways from the classroom through to further career opportunities.

More details and bidding information on the jersey auction will be released on Thursday to coincide with Director of Coaching Ewen McKenzie’s announcement of the Reds team to play the Rebels.

“The Indigenous Round was very well received in its inaugural year and our fans showed great support in getting behind the team and embracing the concept,” McKenzie said.

“It’s a really positive initiative for our code and provides a meaningful backdrop to what is also a very important match for us in terms of the Super Rugby competition and our finals aspirations.”

Queensland Rugby Chief Operating Officer David Hanham said the Indigenous Program continues to achieve significant results with the Indigenous Round serving to raise awareness of the work being done with its participants in their communities.

“Since launching Rugby’s first-ever Indigenous Round last year, Queensland Rugby has continued to increase its presence within the program’s targeted communities to ensure we are offering meaningful pathways and career opportunities for its participants,” Mr Hanham said.

“Through using Reds players as inspiration and Queensland Rugby Game Development staff as mentors, the program has a pivotal focus on pathways which encourage young Indigenous Queenslanders to stay in school, seek employment and become a leader within their community.

“The Indigenous Round is a great way to showcase the good work being done while also being a further opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage during National Reconciliation Week.”

In a new addition to the annual Indigenous Round, Queensland Rugby will in 2013 introduce ‘The Frank Ivory Medal’ to be awarded to the Reds Man of the Match in Saturday’s clash against the Melbourne Rebels and in each subsequent Indigenous Round contest thereafter.

Frank Ivory was the first Indigenous Rugby player to represent Queensland when he debuted against New South Wales at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground on September 2, 1883, a match won by Queensland 11-6 in front of more than 3,000 spectators.

The striking Indigenous art print jerseys worn by the players are just one element to Saturday night’s Indigenous Round celebrations with a number of musical and dance performances being showcased in the Suncorp Stadium precinct prior to the game, and on the pitch before kickoff.

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The Brumbies will field one change to their starting line-up on Saturday when they take on the Blues in Auckland.

Out with a strained medial ligament, George Smith has been replaced by Colby Faingaa in the starting side and Jordan Smiler comes onto the bench.

Pat McCabe’s knee injury has also cleared room on the bench, with Clyde Rathbone making his first appearance for more than a month.

“The players are aware of how important a win in Auckland is for the club heading into the tail end of the season and we will be working hard to regain some of the momentum we had in the early parts of the season,” Head Coach Jake White said.

“Colby has been on the radar as one of Australia’s best young talents for a couple of years now and we have full faith in him to have a big game this weekend. It’s nice to be able to present him with this opportunity

“When you look at our bench, to be bringing a guy like Clyde on is quite comforting because he has plenty of experience playing in big games against quality opposition. The Blues have been one of the standout teams in 2013 and it’s a tough assignment to go over there and knock them off.”

The 2012 match against the Blues was a heartbreaker for the Brumbies, going down without a bonus point to miss a finals spot to the Reds.

While that game has been forgotten, the Brumbies will be focussed on securing a win on the road to ensure they are not in a similar position in three week’s time.

The last time the Brumbies played in Auckland the home team managed to squeeze a narrow win, 39-34.

University of Canberra Brumbies v Blues

Eden Park, Auckland

Kick-off: 5.35pm (AEST)

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

Brumbies Starting Side vs the Blues:

1. Scott Sio

2. Stephen Moore

3. Ben Alexander

4. Scott Fardy

5. Sam Carter

6. Peter Kimlin

7. Colby Faingaa

8. Ben Mowen (C)

9. Nic White

10. Matt Toomua

11. Joe Tomane

12. Christian Lealiifano

13. Tevita Kuridrani

14. Henry Speight

15. Jesse Mogg

Brumbies Reserves vs the Blues:

16. Siliva Siliva

17. Ruan Smith

18. Fotu Auelua

19. Jordan Smiler

20. Ian Prior

21. Robbie Coleman

22. Clyde Rathbone

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The Rebels have signed two of the Australian Conference’s brightest stars, in lock Luke Jones and utility back Tom English, on deals that will see them at the Club until the end of 2016.

Both just turning 23, the young Rebels pair have been in spectacular form this season, with the Rebels very eager to have them both commit long term.

Luke Jones, the former Australian Schoolboy Captain, has always been a player of enormous potential, being the youngest ever forward to be contracted at the Western Force four years ago. He then moved to Melbourne after receiving a telephone call from Rod Macqueen as a 19 year old.

Now, the foundation Rebel sits in the middle of a six-year term in Melbourne, and is considered one of the most industrious forwards in the Super Rugby competition.

“I love Melbourne, it is a city I can now call home. There is an abundance of things happening, such as events like the tennis, comedy festivals and Formula One to name a few,” said Jones.

“Staying a Rebel is very important to me. It means an opportunity to stay within a tight knit group of enthusiastic and aspirational young players.

“I believe we as a Club are moving in the right direction. This is evident through the amount of players who are also committing long term like Tom, Paul Alo-Emile and Higgers.

“To be coached by Matt Cockbain who is a very similar player to what I am, has given me the confidence to grow as a lock/back-rower. I still have a lot to learn and having Matt coach me has lifted my game, there is no doubt about it.

“It has been a huge week for me personally and to get the start against a franchise I grew up following is the perfect way to repay the faith Hilly and the coaching staff have shown in me this season.

“There is such a great buzz at the Club and in Melbourne about this match.”

Tom English is also one of the success stories at the Club for the 2013 season, getting his first start for the Rebels in Round 12 and never looking more at home in Super Rugby.

The former Waverly College student failed to get on the field for the majority of 2012, courtesy of an injury suffered playing for the Australian Sevens side, then joining the Rebels as part of the Extended Playing Squad (EPS). Now English finds himself signing with the Club for a further a three-years.

The versatile English is still on a high after last weeks win, paying tribute to his teammates having a strong bearing behind him committing to the Rebels.

“It has been a turbulent path, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to those who recruited me, the coaches and to the high performance staff who have invested a lot of their time and expertise to get me to this point,” said English.

“It was awesome to win last week and to sign with the Rebels shortly after. To now face the Waratahs as a former New South Welshman really makes it feel like someone has written a script for this Friday night,” said English.

“We have had a rough trot, getting so close in so many matches and our character was questioned. But we stayed tight.

“We are working so hard at the moment, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t continue to have success in our next three local derbies for 2013 and against the British & Irish Lions.

“Everyone in this team has made a sacrifice along the way to be at this point. We are all committing to the long term future of this Club and the game of Rugby Union in Victoria.

“Right now, I’m more than happy to be seen as a utility; I’ll take any chance to get out there with the boys. In the future, I would like to move back to the midfield, but it is what is best for the team at present.

“I am very honoured to be signing at the same time as Jonesy, he has been in magical form this year and is a very popular member of the squad.

“I’m currently living with Nic Stirzaker and Gus Roberts, who I have played with prior to coming to Melbourne. It’s a really happy home at the moment because we have all been getting a bit of game time and we have all committed until at least the end of next year.”

Luke and Tom both represented New South Wales as schoolboys, and will run on against the NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park this Friday night to play for the Weary Dunlop Shield.

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The Chiefs have announced their team to play the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium this Friday night at 7.35pm.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to his first XV and three changes to the bench. Ben Tameifuna comes in at prop for Ben Afeaki who is out this week with a calf strain and Patrick Osborne starts on the wing. Toby Smith, Sam Cane and Lelia Masaga move into the reserves.

Bay of Plenty midfielder Kenny Lynn has been bought into the squad as midfield cover.

Chiefs Starting 15 for the Crusaders:
1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Craig Clarke ©
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Matt Vant Leven
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Bundee Aki
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Patrick Osborne
15. Robbie Robinson

Chiefs Reserves for the Crusaders:
16. Mahonri Schwalger
17. Toby Smith
18. Michael Fitzgerald
19. Sam Cane
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Dan Waenga
22. Lelia Masaga

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The Crusaders head to Waikato Stadium this weekend to face the Super Rugby title holders, the Chiefs. Head Coach Todd Blackadder has announced the team to play the Chiefs with five changes to the team that bet the Blues in Christchurch last weekend.

Hooker Codie Taylor makes the starting fifteen with Corey Flynn out with a hamstring injury. Israel Dagg returns to fullback moving Tom Taylor into the number 12 jersey and Ryan Crotty to Centre while Robbie Fruean moves to the bench. Winger Telusa Veianu also takes his place on the bench.

The game takes place Friday 24 May at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Kick-off is at 7:35pm. Referee is Steve Walsh.

Crusaders team to play the Chiefs:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Tom Taylor
13. Ryan Crotty
14. Tom Marshall
15. Israel Dagg

Crusaders Reserves:
16. Ben Funnell /Laurence Corlett
17. Joe Moody
18. Dominic Bird
19. Luke Whitelock
20. Willi Heinz
21. Robbie Fruean
22. Telusa Veianu

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The Rebels will part ways with international players Gareth Delve and Ged Robinson, with both of the foundation Rebels fulfilling their three year commitments with the Club at season’s end.

With over 80 Super Rugby Caps between them, the Welsh international and Junior All Black will part the Club with a lasting legacy. Gareth won the Club’s ‘Pursuit of Excellence Medal’ in 2012 and Ged claimed the ‘Spirit of Weary Dunlop Medal’ in his rookie season.

Rebels CEO, Rob Clarke, spoke of Gareth and Ged’s contributions to the Club as a significant one, streaming well beyond the full time whistle.

“The Rebels were very grateful that the ARU allowed special dispensation for Ged and Gareth to remain at the Club beyond their two year window, as part of the international marquee rulings,” said Clarke.

“Gareth has been an inspirational leader since he arrived from the UK in 2010. We all know the impact Gareth has had on the Rugby field, but what many people don’t realise is the significant impact he has had within the Victorian Rugby community, travelling throughout Victoria promoting Rugby, visiting schools, clubs and local charities. He has been a true leader in the Five Star Engagement program.

“Ged arrived and quickly stated himself as the Club’s standout rake. He has been a fantastic player and very passionate about the game here in the community and has really embraced Melbourne, playing in the local Dewar Shield Competition with Harlequins and supporting Diabetes Victoria, a charity that is very close to his heart.”

Rebels Head Coach Damien Hill echoed similar sentiments about the foundation Rebels.

“One of the Club’s finest moments was seeing Gareth take the field in his beloved Welsh colours in Canberra. The fact that so many Melbourne supporters travelled to see him play shows the impact he has had on this city,” said Hill.

“He has won some prominent awards in his time here at the Rebels and will be remembered as one of the greatest players to wear the 5 Stars.

“That is what this Club has been able to provide. The Rebels have given Delvey the opportunity to play for Wales again. It has given Ged valuable Super Rugby experience, to return and challenge himself to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming an All Black. Adding to this, what the Rebels have given our local players like Phipps, Vuna, Pyle, Neville and Inman who have all become a part of the Wallabies set up since the Rebels began.

“Knowing them both, they will want to leave this Club winners and they have plenty more to play for, with the Lions match in June, and three local derbies against teams we have not beaten.”

The in-form Robinson spoke of his love for the Club and the city of Melbourne, with his ambition to play for his country the contributing factor in returning home to New Zealand.

“It is a boyhood dream to play for the All Blacks, so I want to go back and give it a crack and put my name in the hat,” Robinson said.

“I would hate to look back on life and say I had a chance but didn’t give it a go, so we will see how I get on over there. Playing regularly here has given me so much more confidence as a player and a person, and I am just so grateful to everybody at the Rebels for the opportunity presented to me.

“I never thought I would love a place outside New Zealand, and particularly in Australia, as much as I do now,” Robinson jokes. “Playing for the Rebels has made my career. The players and the stadium are the best I have ever played in, or in front of, and I don’t know if I will ever realise that again.”

Robinson and Delve will join Nick Phipps and Wallaby tourist Richard Kingi who confirmed he will leave Australian Rugby to play for French glamour Club, Stade Francais, along with James King who also heads abroad.

“Richard is a very special player, his versatility is like no other in Australian Rugby,” said Clarke

“He has been part of many great moments in this Club’s short history and we were all very disappointed to see his season cut short through injury last month.”

“While James King has not taken the field for the Rebels this season, he has really developed over the past two years, leading the way for the Rebel Rising and in the Dewar Shield Competition.

“Off the field, James has had a massive impact in the community here in Victoria, in particular with the Schoolboys. His contribution off the field is amongst the highest at the Club.”

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Waratahs Head Coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to the starting XV to play the Rebels in Melbourne this Friday.

After making an impact from the bench in last week’s 28-22 win over the Brumbies, scrumhalf Matt Lucas and inside centre Berrick Barnes earn starts this week, with Brendan McKibbin and Rob Horne included amongst the replacements.

John Ulugia is named at hooker after Tatafu Polota-Nau fractured his forearm in last week’s game. Alongside him, prop Sekope Kepu returns to the run-on side, whilst Paddy Ryan is named on the bench.

The other additions to the matchday 22 are replacement hooker Luke Holmes from Warringah and Sydney University winger Tom Kingston.

The squad travels to Melbourne tomorrow ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby Round 15 match against the Rebels. NSW will be looking to keep their winning record intact, having never lost to the Melbourne side in their five previous encounters.

Waratahs team to play the Rebels
Friday May 24, 2013 (9.40pm, NZ Time)
AAMI Park, Melbourne
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
2. John Ulugia (Eastern Suburbs)
3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
4. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University, captain)
7. Michael Hooper (Manly)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly)
9. Matt Lucas (Manly)
10. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
12. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
14. Peter Betham (Sydney University)
15. Israel Folau (Sydney University)

Waratahs Reserves to play the Rebels
16. Luke Holmes (Warringah)
17. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
18. Will Skelton (Sydney University)
19. Mitchell Chapman (Eastern Suburbs)
20. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
22. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)

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