It’s the second last week of the regular season with the top four all but settled and plenty to play for in the bottom half of the top eight. Aussie eyes will be on the Reds’ home match against the Force, with the Perth team pushing to make the playoffs.
See the team news as it unfolds below.
(All times are AEST)
Friday
Chiefs vs Hurricanes, 5.05pm
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter.
The Hurricanes will be without captain and loose forward Brad Shields in this second vs. fourth clash.
Shields strained a quad in training this week but is expected to be fit for the finals.
Joride Barrett takes the captaincy in a much changed team from the win over Moana Pasifika.
Jordie Barrett of the Hurricanes is tackled. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax (ankle) and flanker DuPlessis Kirifi (knee) will also miss the Chiefs game with bone bruising.
The Hurricanes bring back fullback Ruben Love, winger Josh Moorby, centre Billy Proctor, Barrett, centre Brett Cameron, halfback TJ Perenara and No 8 Brayden Iose.
The Chiefs have made just three changes to their 23, retaining the same starting XV that edged the Rebels last week.
Hooker Tyrone Thompson, tighthead prop Sione Ahio and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi have replaced Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill and Xavier Roe on the bench.
Brumbies vs Rebels, 7.35pm
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Rob Leota (c), Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Glen Vaihu, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Luke Callan, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, James Tuttle, Mason Gordon
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Kaminski.
Saturday
Moana Pasifika vs Waratahs 2.35pm
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Aisea Halo, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Siaosi Nginingini, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Taefu
WARATAHS (1-15): Harry Lloyd, Jay Fonokalafi, Brad Amituanai, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Michael Scott, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Vuate Karawalevu
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, George Myers.
Crusaders vs Blues 5.05pm
Blues stars Rieko Ioane and Stephen Perofeta return to the starting lineup.
Ioane reclaims his spot at centre having returned from concussion, while Perofeta slots into fullback after injury. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu is also back for the match, locking alongside Sam Darry.
Blues head coach, Vern Cotter has reworked his loose forward trio this week, opting for a starting combination of Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat and Hoskins Sotutu with Cameron Suafoa coming off the bench.
In the backs, Taufa Funaki returns to the starting halfback spot, reinstating his combination with Harry Plummer. Corey Evans starts again at second five-eight while AJ Lam and Mark Tele’a hold down the wing spots.
Ethan Blackadder is back in the Crusaders for the first time since late April, and will start at No.7.
Fergus Burke retaiins the No.10 jersey after making his season debut in the loss to the Brumbies last week.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taha Kemara, Dallas McLeod
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Stephen Perofeta
RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Sam Nock, Cole Forber, Caleb Tangitau
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon.
Reds vs Force 7.35pm
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Taj Annan
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Ronan Leahy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Chase Tiatia
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jorday Way, Jeremy Markey.
Sunday
Highlanders vs Fijian Drua, 12.05pm
The Highlanders have lost form centre Tanielu Tele’a after he suffered a suspected MCL injury last week against the Blues.
Jake Te Hiwi moves to outside centre with Sam Gilbert named to start at No 12.
Cameron Millar misses out after being hit high by Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi at Eden Park and Ajay Faleafaga will start at No. 10.
Jona Nareki has recovered from a hamstring injury, and will start on the wing while captain Billy Harmon returns from the finger injury that sidelined him for a couple of weeks, and will start at No. 8.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Ajay Falegaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Jake Te Hiwi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Max Hicks, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop
DRUA (1-15): Jone Koroiduadua, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw.