The Brumbies will be looking to push towards the top two when they host the lowly Crusaders, the Reds face the tough day time kickoff in Fiji, while the Force are in touching distance of finals footy and can take a big step against the Waratahs.
Seee all the teams and news as it unfolds below.
(All times are AEST)
Friday
Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has made 11 changes to his starting line-up while giving a rest to All Blacks Jordie Barrett, TJ Perenara and Tyrel Lomax.
Captain Brad Shields, lock Justin Sangster, centre Bailyn Sullivan and wing Kini Naholo are the only starters to retain their spots after the close loss to the Blues.
Lock Ben Grant and loosehead prop Siale Lauaki earn starts in a new-look line-up where several other regulars have been rested.
Other regulars not included in the 23 are Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Brett Cameron, Brayden Iose and Caleb Delany. Aidan Morgan will play at 10.
Jonathan Taumateine makes his first start of the season at halfback for Moana Pasifika, who have former Hurricane Julian Savea at at inside centre.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Justin Sangster, Ben Grant, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Richard Judd, Aidan Morgan, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon.
Rebels vs Chiefs, 7.35pm
The Rebels have welcomed back Brad Wilkin from injury to help stiffen their back-row stocks ahead of Friday’s tricky clash against the Chiefs in Melbourne.
But it’s not all good news, with Wallabies star Taniela Tupou to miss the clash as expected because of concussion.
His absence sees Pone Fa’amausili rushed into the squad after being loaned out last week to the Waratahs, having previously sat on the sidelines all year.
Fa’amausili will come off the bench, with Sam Talakai promoted at tight-head prop and will captain the team.
The Rebels have otherwise named a settled side for their clash against the fourth-placed Chiefs side, who have the Reds breathing down their necks.
There are a couple of changes on the bench, with Ethan Dobbins and Wallabies Matt Gibbon and Rob Leota returning.
They have their work cut out as they prepare to host the Chiefs, who welcome back some star power themselves.
Damian McKenzie (concussion), fullback Shaun Stevenson (hamstring) and Emoni Narawa (rested) return to a strong Chiefs lineup after missing the win over Moana Pasifika.
Kaylum Boshier replaces Wallace Sititi in the backrow while props Aidan Ross and George Dyer come into the front row.
Cortez Ratima returns at halfback and Etene Nanai-Seturo shifts from fullback to the left wing.
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs . (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Glen Vaihu
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: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, George Myers.
Saturday
Fijian Drua vs Queensland Reds, 12.05pm
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, Waqa Nalaga, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Cormac Daly, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey, Hunter Paisami, Taj Annan, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: George Blake, Sef Fa’agase, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Tim Ryan
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey.
Brumbies vs Crusaders, 2.35pm
Fergus Burke has returned to full strength and will start at 10 for the Crusaders. Levi Aumua has had a knee niggle in recent weeks and will stay home with David Havili moving to inside centre.
Scott Barrett remains sidelined with a back injury so Antonio Shalfoon starts at lock alongside vice-captain Quin Strange.
Tom Christie returns to the starting XV after some time on the sidelines, while Joe Moody starts at No.1.s Ethan Blackadder is still recovering from a thigh injury and was not available.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Jone Rova, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw.
Blues vs Highlanders, 5.05pm
Flyhalf Stephen Perofeta returns to the Blues bench after recovering from a shoulder injury. He’s joined by two potential Blues debutants with prop Mason Tupaea and outside back Kade Banks in line for their first caps.
Openside flanker Dalton Papali’i takes the captain’s armband this week forming part of a reshaped loose-forward trio with Adrian Choat elevated to start and Akira Ioane switching to No. 8.
Hooker Kurt Eklund also gets his chance to start while the young locking duo of Laghlan McWhannell and Sam Darry will partner up in the middle of the scrum.
Sam Nock will start at halfback while Corey Evans and Cole Forbes take their place at inside centre and fullback respectively.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i (c), Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Kade Banks
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma’u, Will Tucker, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waegna, Mike Winter.
Force vs Waratahs, 7.35pm
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, 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, Henry O’Donnell
WARATAHS (1-15): Lewis Ponini, Jay Fonokalafi, Enrique Peiretto, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, George Thorton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese.