The competition heads to Melbourne for Super Round this weekend with the pressure already on some of the Australian franchises after the opening games.
Included in that are the Waratahs who were soundly beaten by the Reds last week and will be missing Test centre Izzy Perese due to concussion.
See all the teams below and check back later for updates.
All times are AEDT
Friday
Highlanders vs Blues, 6pm
Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Akira Ioane return to the Blues side after injury – but Rieko Ioane misses out with a hamstring issue.
Blues coach Vern Cotter has made several changes to his side.
“It’s great to welcome back Akira and Ofa this weekend, both are high quality players who we’re sure will make a big impact on Friday night,” said Cotter.
“Ofa joins a new-look front row for this match, it’s crucial we build depth in those tight forward positions and to welcome someone of his calibre back to the starting team is very pleasing.”
Akira Ioane. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
“Akira is a big, bruising loosie who imposes himself on any match. He’s starting to dial it up at training so it will be good to let him loose on the opposition this weekend.
“Laghlan McWhannell gets his crack at lock, he’s been impressive through the pre-season and is itching to get out there. We were really impressed with Josh Beehre in his debut match last weekend and we’re happy with the depth we are building in that position.”
In the backs, Taufa Funaki gets a start at halfback while Bryce Heem and AJ Lam have a chance to impress in the midfield.
“We’re going to need our entire squad fit and firing in this campaign and halfback is no exception. We’ve got three quality players in that position and Taufa gets his chance to impress on Friday night,” said Cotter.
“Rieko felt his hammy a little against the Drua so this is an opportune time to manage his workload and make sure that’s 100 percent.”
Ethan De Groot comes into the No.1 jersey for the Highlanders in a little-changed team.
Ajay Faleafaga is poised for a debut off the bench, replacing Cam Millar in the matchday 23. Lock Fabian Holland moves to the bench.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
RESERVES: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan.
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Reuben Keane
Rebels vs Force, 8.10pm
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway.
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste.
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey.
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, James Doleman
Saturday
Moana Pasifika vs Fijian Drua, 5pm
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau
DRUA (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Ella Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Junior Ratuva
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Mike Winter.
Crusaders vs Waratahs, 7.35pm
All Blacks tighthead prop Tamaiti Williams and young No 10 Rivez Reihana have been ruled out because of hamstring and shoulder injuries as Rob Penney gears up for a clash against the club that sacked him.
David Havili returns to the Crusaders team after missing the opener. Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara, who have been playing together since Year 7 at school, will wear the No.9 and 10 jerseys.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
WARATAHS (1-15):Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Teddy Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu, Triston Reilly
Referee: James Mabey
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Dan Waenga
Sunday
Chiefs vs Brumbies, 2pm
Damian McKenzie has overcome the rib issue that forced him off in the win over Crusaders to be named at No.10 for the Chiefs in a potential pre-Bledisloe match up with Noah Lolesio.
Bradley Slater will celebrate his 50th match for the Chiefs, picked in the tight five alongside All Black lock Tupou Vaa’i as well as Ollie Norris, George Dyer and Manaaki Selby-Rickit.
Xavier Roe starts at halfback, with playmaker Damian McKenzie retaining the No.10 jersey. In the midfield, Rameka Poihipi steps into second-five alongside the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown.
The backline from round one remains unchanged with Etene Nanai-Seturo and Liam Coombes-Fabling on the wing and Shaun Stevenson at fullback.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi,, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Tamati Tua
Hurricanes vs Reds, 4.30pm
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has made just one change for his side’s clash against the Hurricanes, promoting Wallaby Jock Campbell to the run-on side.
Campbell, who was one of the Reds’ best during the trials, will start on the left-wing in an all-Australian back three alongside fullback Jordan Petaia and Suliasi Vunivalu. Mac Grealy has dropped back to the bench.
“Jock gets his chance this weekend after his brilliant form in the trials. This is an opportunity for me to see him as a winger,” Kiss said.
“It’s great to have such riches in the backline. Mac served us very well against the Waratahs with his work rate and edge defence and he’ll enter the game from the bench at wing or fullback.”
Up against a physical Hurricanes side, with plenty of muscle up front, Kiss will be glad to name an unchanged forward pack.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has had to make several changes with loose forwards Du’Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders ruled out through injury, while he’s also brought some key All Blacks into the fold.
After coming off the bench in the win over the Force, Cam Roigard returns to the starting halfback position, while Jordi Viljoen, who made an instant impression on debut, reverts to the bench.
Brayden Iose comes into the team at No.8, along with TK Howden at blindside flanker, while Peter Lakai makes the shift to openside.
Tight head Prop Tyrel Lomax also returns to the starting XV, while loose forward Veveni Lasaqa will make his SRP debut from the bench.
Besides Roigard, the backline remains the same, and Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett will have the co-captain bands on.
The game will mark Jordie Barrett’s 100th Super Rugby match as he joins his brother and former Hurricane Beauden Barrett in the centurion club.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numea, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Veveni Lasaqa, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lyngah, Jock Campbell, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suli Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Mac Grealy
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Damon Murphy