All you need to know ahead of round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific.
FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Friday, 7.05pm
There is plenty on the line for both sides with the Chiefs needing a bonus point win to keep the heat on the Hurricanes in the race for top spot, while the Highlanders must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Chiefs have made positional changes with Josh Jacomb slotting in at first five-eighths, and Damien McKenzie moving to fullback.
“Josh and Damian have developed an effective combination that allows us to challenge opposition defences by utilising two playmakers on the field at the same time,” Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said.
“It will be important this week against a very combative Highlanders defence that we can shift the point of attack quickly and effectively.
“We had a tough battle against them in round two and are preparing for more of the same this week at home.”
All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea has been given the week off, while Josh Lord is out with concussion.
Wings Liam Coombes-Fabling and Kyren Taumoefolau have switched sides.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders have made just one change to their starting side with Tanielu Teleʻa replacing the suspended Jona Nareki.
The Chiefs have won their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Highlanders, with their last defeat coming in 2021.
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15. Damian McKenzie.
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Benét Kumeroa, 18. George Dyer, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Daniel Rona, 23. Isaac Hutchinson.
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomás Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Taniela Tele’u, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Sean Withy, 21. Nic Shearer, 22. Taine Robinson, 23. Xavier Tito-Harris.
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Suva. Saturday, 4.35pm
The clash is a must-win for both sides, as they need a win to remain within touching distance of the top six.
The Reds currently occupy the last playoff spot on 26 points, with the Waratahs in eighth on 21 points, with the Drua a further point back in ninth. It is their last home game of the season.
The Waratahs have recalled Wallabies winger Harry Potter to the starting side for the first time since round six, while captain Matt Philip slots in at lock.
Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen will form a starting halves pairing for the first time this season.
The Drua have recalled Peni Ravai, Etonia Waqa, Manasa Mataele, Samuela Tawake and Vilive Miramira to the starting side in their final home match of the season.
Each of the past five Super Rugby Pacific matches between the Fijian Drua and NSW Waratahs have been won by the home team.
Fijian Drua: 1. Peni Ravai, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (cc), 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Frank Lomani (cc), 15. Isikeli Rabitu.
Bench: 16. Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Isoa Tuwai, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Kemu Valetini.
Waratahs: 1. Jack Barrett, 2. Ioane Moananu, 3. Dan Botha,4. Matt Philip (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Clem Halaholo, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Angus Scott-Young, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Jack Bowen, 11. Triston Reilly, 12. Lawson Creighton, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Max Jorgensen.
Bench: 16. Oniti Finau, 17. Isaac Kailea, 18. Apolosi Ranawai, 19. Ben Grant, 20. Jamie Adamson, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Sid Harvey.
Eden Park, Auckland. Saturday, 7.05pm
Blues coach Vern Cotter has recalled Beauden Barrett to start in the No 10 jersey, having come off the bench for their past two games.
Barrett replaces Stephen Perofeta, who takes his spot among the reserves, with the Blues opting for a 6-2 bench split.
Loose forward Dalton Papali’i has been ruled out after suffering a jaw injury, so Anton Segner starts at openside flanker.
Defeat for the Blues could be costly with the Crusaders breathing down their necks, six points back.
“Last week hurt and the group knows we need to be better in the areas that matter. We’ve had a strong week of preparation and there’s real intent around the way we want to play on Saturday night,” Cotter said.
“The Hurricanes are in top form, so we know the challenge in front of us and the focus is on delivering an accurate, physical performance.”
Meanwhile the Hurricanes have recalled their big guns for the clash, for which Jordie Barrett, Ruben Love and Warner Dearns return to the starting side.
Four-try hero Josh Moorby gets the weekend off while Du’Plessis Kirifi is out with a knee injury.
Peter Lakai will start at openside flanker with Kirifi out, while Kini Naholo is promoted to the run-on side on the left wing, pushing Fehi Fineanganofo out to the right wing.
Fineanganofo still needs two tries to claim the record for most tries in a Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Hurricanes defeated the Blues 42-19 when they last met in Super Rugby Pacific earlier this season (Rd 9, 2026), snapping a three-match losing run against them; the Hurricanes will be aiming for consecutive wins against the Blues for the first time since June 2019.
Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Malachi Wrampling, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. Xavi Taele, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Che Clark, 22. Finlay Christie, 23. Stephen Perofeta.
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Jordie Barrett (c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 15. Callum Harkin.
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Siale Lauaki, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Jordi Viljoen, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.
HBF Park, Perth. Saturday, 9.35pm
The Force have been dealt a huge blow with Wallabies first five-eighths Ben Donaldson ruled out of their must-win clash against the Reds.
Defeat for the Force would effectively end their campaign, while the Reds are desperate to remain inside the top six.
Donaldson will miss the clash with a quad injury, meaning Max Burley will wear the No 10 jersey.
The Reds will be without captain Fraser McReight because of a rest week, meaning Harry Wilson steps up as skipper.
Carter Gordon has been named to start at first five-eighths.
The Force will be aiming for consecutive wins against the Reds for the first time since May 2017.
Force: 1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Misinale Epenisa, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Max Burey, 11. Dylan Pietsch, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. George Bridge, 14. Zac Lomax, 15. Mac Grealy.
Bench: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Marley Pearce, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Franco Molina, 20. Will Harris, 21. Agustin Moyano, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Kurtley Beale.
Reds: 1. George Blake, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Massimo De Luttis, 4. Hamish Muller, 5. Seru Uru, 6. Joe Brial, 7. John Bryant, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Louis Werchon, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Lachie Anderson, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Isaac Henry, 14. Tim Ryan, 15. Jock Campbell.
Bench: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Charlie Brosnan, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Treyvon Pritchard.
Bye: Moana Pasifika, Crusaders, Brumbies