Queensland Reds have dropped Wallaby winger Suliasi Vunivalu after some underwhelming performances with Test teammate Jordan Petaia moved the bench for the Reds. Elsewhere, the Chiefs have decided to rest star No.10 Damian McKenzie against the 0-5 Crusaders.
Check out all the team news as it drops below.
(All times are AEDT)
Friday
Crusaders vs Chiefs, 5.05pm
Crusaders coach Rob Penney has made five changes, including the replacement of injured inside centre David Havili, with Dallas McLeod. Veteran halfback Mitchell Drummond takes over the captaincy.
Lock Quinten Strange returns after a neck strain. All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody has missed out on the 23.
Josh Jacomb has been chosen at No.10 to replace McKenzie, who is having the first of two All Blacks rest weeks.
Samipeni Finau also sits out with Naitoa Ah Kuoi coming into the No. 6 jersey.
Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i misses out with concussion but Anton Lienert-Brown returns after missing last week.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Riley Hohepa, Johnny McNicholl, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: James Mullen, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardiner, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter.
Waratahs vs Rebels, 7.35pm
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, 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, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Lalakai Foketi
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Nick Hogan
Saturday
Fijian Drua vs Force, 12.05pm
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Lopeti Faifua, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Tex Rokovereni.
Moana Pasifika vs Blues, 2.35pm
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has made several changes. Sama Malolo has been named at hooker and Tom Savage returning as lock.
Fine Inisi starts on the left wing while Julian Savea returns to the centres. Donald Brighouse and Ola Tauelangi have gone to the bench.
Blues hooker, Ricky Riccitelli will play his 100th Super Rugby match from the bench while Finlay Christie is down to start at scrumhalf his 50th Blues match.
Rieko Ioane returns to the midfield, partnering Bryce Heem. Corey Evans starts at fullback replacing injured Zarn Sullivan.
Loose forward Akira Ioane and halfback Sam Nock are on the bench.
“This will be a stern test on Saturday afternoon,” said coach Vern Cotter.
“We’ve seen how well Moana are playing this year, they are well coached and pose dangerous attacking threats across the park, we’ll need a big defensive effort to contain them.
“Last season this fixture came down to the final seconds – it was a cliff hanger. We expect Moana to bring plenty of passion to the occasion; even though we’re playing at Eden Park, this is a home game for them.”
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Donald Brighouse, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Soane Vikena, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 5.05pm
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, 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, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Josh Timu
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngane Punivai
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
Reds vs Brumbies, 7.35pm
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Zane Nonggorr, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Suliasi Vunivalu
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw.