The Rebels kick off week five with a tough visit to the 4-0 table-topping Hurricanes while the high-flying Reds finish off the weekend with a trip to Perth as they bid to stay in the top two.
Follow the latest team news as it happens below.
(All times in AEST)
Friday
Hurricanes vs Rebels, 5.05pm
Smashed out of the blocks against the Reds, Rebels coach Kevin Foote has reacted by making several changes, including in the tight-five, for his side’s clash against the Hurricanes across the ditch.
In particular, Test hooker Jordan Uelese has two new props either side of him with Isaac Kailea to start for the first time while Sam Talakai will wear the No.3 jersey.
Talakai’s promotion sees Taniela Tupou drop back to the bench.
The other big change to the tight-five sees Angelo Smith start alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, with Josh Canham to come off the bench.
The Rebels have lost Josh Kemeny, which sees Tuaina Taii Tualima come in at blindside flanker.
After Nick Jooste came in late for Filipo Daugunu last week when the Wallaby pulled out because of financial dispute, Foote has called up Lukas Ripley at outside centre. Jooste will come off the bench alongside fellow backs Jack Maunder and Mason Gordon and Daugunu is missing again despite training from Tuesday.
The Hurricanes will be looking to make it five straight wins on Friday night and have been bolstered by the return of regular captain Brad Shields and All Black midfielder Jordie Barrett.
Shields and Barrett join several new names to the matchday 23 with Head Coach Clark Laidlaw opting to stretch the depth in his squad after some players pulled up with “niggles” after the first few rounds of SRP.
There are 13 personnel changes to his starting 15 with prop Tyrel Lomax and loose forward Devan Flanders the only two starters retained from their win over the Crusaders last week.
TJ Perenara has been handed his first start since his comeback from an Achilles injury, with the Cam Roigard rotated out of the matchday squad.
Ngane Punivai is set to make his Hurricanes debut at centre, while halfback Richard Judd, first-five Aidan Morgan and outside backs Daniel Sinkinson and Harry Godfrey will also make their first SRP appearances for 2024.
“We’ve had to make some changes because some of the boys have got some niggles. We also want to let the boys who haven’t had a game this year find their feet. They’ve been training well, and they deserve an opportunity to play. It also shows the quality we have in our depth to be able to call on these players and we’re really happy with that,” Laidlaw said.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, James O’Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Ngane Punivai, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Josh Moorby
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Lukas Ripley, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Mason Gordon, Nick Jooste
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
Brumbies vs Moana Pasifika, 7.35pm
BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain (c), Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Ola Tauelangi, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau, D’Angelo Leuila, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Fine Inisi
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referee: Reuben Keane, Jeremy Marky
Saturday
Fijian Drua vs Waratahs, 12.05pm
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Epeli Momo
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Triston Reilly
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referee: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Chiefs vs Highlanders, 2.35pm
All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa returns after six months out of action. He was ruled out of the World Cup on the eve of the tournament with a back injury and returns via the bench for the Chiefs.
Clayton McMillan has given Samisoni Taukei’aho a rest week, while Anton Lienert-Brown is unavailable following a concussion last week. Three All Blacks return: Tupou Vaa’i from a week off and Josh Lord and Quinn Tupaea promoted back to the run-on XV.
Prop Jared Proffit returns from suspension following his red card for a high tackle against the Brumbies in round two.
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Emoni Narawa
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ayden Johnstone, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c) Tom Sanders, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referee: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
Blues vs Crusaders, 5.05pm
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu returns to the starting XV this weekend for his 100th match for the club.
He’s back after dislocating his jaw on the Blues pre-season trip to Japan seven weeks ago.
“This is the club I love and grew up watching as a kid, it will be an honour to run out with the boys for my 100th game on Saturday night,” said Tuipulotu.
“To come back after an injury lay-off and be able to launch straight into the Crusaders is awesome. It’s going to be physical, it’s going to be tough and we know they’re coming to Eden Park to spoil the party. We’re leaving no stone unturned at training this week, make no mistake this is a big game for us and our fans.”
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Joe Moody, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Force vs Reds, 7.35pm
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referee: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski