We’ve arrived at the final round of the regular season with plenty to play for and 11 of the 12 teams still in finals contention.
The Brumbies can finish anywhere from first to third while the Reds and Rebels are also locked in for the finals. The Force need a big slice of luck to progress while the Tahs have finished last.
Check out our guide to every team’s best and worst case scenario.
And all the team news will be updated below.
(All times in AEST)
Friday
Crusaders (10th) vs Moana Pasifika (11th), 5.05pm
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Tamaiti Williams, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Macca Springer, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, George Bower, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taine Robinson, Heremaia Murray
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sekope Kepu, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Pepesana Patafilo. Julian Savea, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi, Kyren Taumoefolau
RESERVES: Tomasi Maka, Ivan Fepuleai, Suetena Asomua, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Nigel Ah Wong
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey.
Waratahs (12th) vs Reds (5th), 7.35pm
Former Tahs prop Paddy Ryan has answered an SOS call from Darren Coleman to face the Reds in the coach’s final game.
Ryan has been playing in Japan and previously played more than 100 times for the Tahs.
“It was great of Paddy to answer the SOS and his experience in the front-row will be invaluable,” Coleman said.
Paddy Ryan returns to the Tahs. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Ned Hanigan has succumbed to a back complaint and won’t get a farewell game. Tom Ross and Lachlan Swinton have returned from injury to bolster the pack, with Miles Amatosero also promoted to the starting line-up.
In the backline, Jack Bowen has been given an opportunity to start his first Super Rugby Pacific match at flyhalf, with Tane Edmed dropping to the bench.
“We’ve been looking for opportunities to give Jack a game during the year and now he gets his chance to start after a promising performance from the bench last week,” Coleman said. “I’m excited to watch him grow.”
Triston Reilly returns to the right wing with Izaia Perese reverting to the reserves list where Teddy Wilson also replaces Jack Grant.
“Teddy returns after his concussion protocols,” Coleman said. “We’ve been trying to give him more opportunities throughout the year to watch him develop further.”
The Reds named a strong team despite being unable to go higher or lower on the table than fifth.
Joe Brial and Connor Vest have been elevated to the starting pack. Brial starts at No.8 after four bench appearances.
Vest will start at lock in place of Ryan Smith, who is on the bench after playing more minutes than any other tight forward in Australia this season.
In the front-row, Wallaby Zane Nonggorr will start at tighthead ahead of Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.
Lawson Creighton slots in at flyhalf with Tom Lynagh to enter the game from the bench at Allianz Stadium.
“Our focus is on the fact this is probably the most important game in the calendar for Australian rugby, the ‘Tahs v Queensland,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said of the Templeton Cup clash.
“From our point of view, we have to make sure we stay on task. This game is important. There’s a trophy up for grabs which we currently own and we want to make sure we do what is necessary to win it.”
WARATAHS (1-15): Paddy Ryan, Jay Fonokalafi, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Bowen, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Taj Annan
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon.
Saturday
Fiji (8th) vs Rebels (7th), 12.05pm
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Waqa Nalaga, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feiluai, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Andrew Kellaway, Mason Gordon
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, James Tuttle, David Vaihu, Jake Strachan
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter.
Hurricanes (2nd) vs Highlanders (6th), 2.35pm
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Justin Sangster, Peter Lakai, Jordi Vijoen, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Will Tucker, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Billy Harmon (co-c), Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Falegaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop, Finn Hurley
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Tom Sanders, Hayden Michaels, Folau Fakatava, Jake Te Hiwi, Martín Bogado
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, George Myers.
Blues (1st) vs Chiefs (4th), 5.05pm
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Stephen Perofeta
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Peniasi Malimali
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw.
Force (9th) vs Brumbies (3rd), 7.35pm
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has added two fresh faces to the starting side and the bench for the visit to Perth.
Blake Schoupp returns after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in Round 10, with James Slipper succumbing to a torn calf last weekend.
Nick Frost and Tom Hooper switch roles after last week, with Frost now in the five jersey and Hooper in the six. Darcy Swain will continue at lock, whilst Rory Scott rejoins the squad at open-side flanker.
Connal McInerney and Harry Vella return to the 23 from the bench.
Wallabies lock Sam Carter is back for the first time since round 10 for the Force in a must win game.
The Force will be missing Wallabies flyhalf Ben Donaldson however with a tight groin.
Force captain Jeremy Williams shuffles into the back row to start at blindside flanker, with 16-cap Wallaby Carter partnering Izack Rodda at lock.
Max Burey will start at flyhalf with Donaldson out. Front-rower Ryan Coxon also comes into the XV with Harry Hoopert unavailable due to a calf injury.
Ben Funnell comes into the 23 among the finishers with a 6-2 split, with Chase Tiatia out with a shoulder injury.
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Izack Rodda, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Max Burey, Ronan Leahy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Connal McInerney, Harry Vella, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw.