Super Rugby: Hurricanes lead, injuries bite
The Hurricanes are sitting top of the Super Rugby Pacific table as Round 7 approaches and are closing on a near full‑strength squad for a Reds showdown ( ). Dalton Papali’i has been added to the injury list with a back complaint, and Western Force have left Zac Lomax out of their matchday 23 for a crucial home tie (injury list: Lomax omission: ).
Hurricanes named only minimal changes to their Round 7 XV on March 25, 2026, keeping the bulk of last week’s match-day group for the fixture at Hnry Stadium. (hurricanes.co.nz) The Hurricanes’ Round 7 kickoff against the Reds is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 4:35pm NZT at Hnry Stadium. (hurricanes.co.nz) Dalton Papali’i’s back problem was sustained in last week’s win over the Waratahs and has ruled him out of the next Blues match, with Sam Darry to take on the captaincy in his absence. (rugbypass.com) Super Rugby’s official Round 7 injury/unavailability listings highlighted Papali’i among the new additions to the weekend’s absentees. (super.rugby) Western Force coach Simon Cron made a single change to his starting side for the Chiefs clash, with Zac Lomax omitted from the matchday 23 and Vaiolini Ekuasi returning from a quad contusion to bolster the backrow. (rugbypass.com) Lomax joined the Force on a two‑year deal after switching codes from the NRL earlier this month, a context the club faces while managing his early integration and game readiness. (rugby.com.au)
