There is plenty on the line for three Australian clubs in the last regular round of the season, with the Waratahs looking to join the Brumbies and Reds in the final six.
See all the team news as it unfolds below.
FINAL ROUND LADDER SCENARIOS FOR EVERY TEAM
(All times are AEST)
Friday
Highlanders vs Chiefs, 5.05pm
Cameron Millar regains the Highlanders No. 10 jersey for the battle with the top-placed Chiefs – with Taine Robinson ruled out with a foot injury.
Robinson’s injury opens the way for Sam Gilbert to have a farewell from the bench ahead of his exit to Irish side Connacht.
Millar is the only change to the starting side from last week while prop Daniel Lienert-Brown replaces Josh Bartlett on the bench.
All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa will miss out for the Chiefs after suffering a lip cut in the flogging of Moana Pasifika last week. The club expects him back for the first round of finals next week.
Etene Nanai-Seturo replaces Narawa on the left wing as Leroy Carter shifts to the right – his first involvement since injuring his hamstring in round one.
Xavier Roe will start at No.9 with Cortez Ratima going to the bench.
The Chiefs have opted to rejig their forwards with All Blacks Samipeni Finau and Josh Lord are back into the starting side, swapping with Simon Parker and Naitoa Ah Kuoi. Last week’s front row are moved the bench as well. Prop Jared Proffit and hooker Bradley Slater come in to start, replacing Aidan Ross and Brodie McAlister.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Tai Cribb, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Cam Millar, Taniela Filimore, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Leroy Carter, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Manasa Mataele
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referee: Marcus Playle, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
Brumbies vs Crusaders, 7.35pm
Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio is back for the Brumbies’ showdown with the Crusaders on Friday night.
The Test No.10 missed the Brumbies’ win over the Reds after his scare against the Force, but returns in time for his side’s top-two shootout.
Lolesio is one of three changes to Stephen Larkham’s side, with Feao Fotuaiki injected into the side at tight-head prop in the absence of Allan Alaalatoa. Rhys Van Nek provides cover on the bench.
The other change sees Tuaina Taii Tualima start at number eight, with Tom Hooper returning to the second-row. Lachlan Shaw is the second-row cover.
Luke Reimer also returns via the bench after missing their 24-14 win over the Reds with concussion.
Larkham has opted for a five-three bench split, with Declan Meredith included after his strong outing against the Reds.
“We know the importance of finishing in the top two and securing that home semi-final, it puts you in a better position to go deep into the competition. However, we know there is still a lot of work to do before then,” Larkham said.
“The Crusaders have improved on their consistency from last year. They’ve had a few changes in terms of guys coming back from injury and performing. We’ll see a settled team and they’ll be trying to prepare a team that will see them all the way through the finals.”
On Lolesio, Larkham added: “Noah responded extremely positively to treatment. He got through his rehab and trained really well the back end of last week. He’s confident heading into this weekend and it’s great to have him back in the side.”
Injury-prone Ethan Blackadder returns from the hamstring injury that’s sidelined him for a month and he will play a 50th time for the Crusaders in Canberra.
Captain David Havili has been rested while Cullen Grace misses out with illness.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Braydon Ennor
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
Saturday
Blues vs Waratahs, 2.35pm
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon will miss Saturday’s do-or-die clash with the Blues on Saturday afternoon, while Jack Bowen has been named to start ahead of Test playmaker Tane Edmed.
But Test outside back Andrew Kellaway makes a welcome return after he missed last week’s great escape with illness.
Kellaway’s return sees Darby Lancaster drop back to the bench.
Despite Taniela Tupou’s brain explosion last week, Dan McKellar has opted for the same tight-five.
The Waratahs have made one change to their back-row, with Jamie Adamson replacing the injured Charlie Gamble, who is out with a calf injury.
“Jack, along with Teddy Wilson, had a huge impact last week under pressure with his calm, direction and vision in attack,” McKellar said.
“He has earned this start with his consistent hard work throughout the season in both training and his game time off the bench.
“This is a big game with a lot at stake. He is ready for a big game opportunity like this.”
The loss of Gordon (hamstring) is a blow for the Waratahs.
Already missing Wallabies Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the loss of Joe Schmidt’s first-choice halfback robs the Waratahs of some precious experience as they attempt to head across the ditch and snap their 16-year drought at Eden Park.
While Teddy Wilson and Bowen know each other like family, the pair have started less than ten games between them.
Bowen, whose father Scott played for the Wallabies, said he didn’t mind going in as the underdog and added that the Waratahs were confident they could get the job done.
“A massive thing is the mindset, going over there and genuinely believing we can win,” he said. “We genuinely have the belief this week that we can go over there and beat them.”
The Blues have named a powerful team with All Black Mark Tele’a back after serving a three-game suspension for his dangerous lifting tackle on the Reds’ Tim Ryan.
With the return of Tele’a, AJ Lam shifts back to inside centre while Finlay Christie earns the starting halfback spot alongside All Blacks great Beauden Barrett.
In the forwards, Anton Segner has been cleared after a heavy collision in Round 14, and comes into the starting XV at blindside flanker.
There are several changes to the reserves with prop Jordan Lay and halfback Sam Nock coming into the match day 23, alongside Adrian Choat who returns from a shoulder injury.
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair (c), Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Lawson Creighton
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Paul Williams, George Myers
TMO: Brett Cronan
Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm
There is everything to play for in this one with Moana Pasifika hoping to stay in the top 6 and the Hurricanes out to shore up a fourth-placed finish.
The Canes have made five changes to the XV that beat the Reds last outing.
Jacob Devery, Hugo Plummer and Devan Flanders start in the forwards, Bailyn Sullivan is back at 14, and Brett Cameron is at fly-half, with Ruben Love moving to fullback.
Tjay Clarke is set to make his debut from the bench, and Tyrel Lomax will bring up his 100th New Zealand Super Rugby Game (31 Highlanders and 68 Hurricanes).
Moana coach Tana Umaga has stayed loyal to the players who conceded 13 tries last week, making just two changes after injuries to Danny Toala (hamstring) and Sione Havili Talitui (Achilles).
Julian Savea returns to start at inside centre and loose forward Lotu Inisi has his first call-up this season on the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Tjay Clarke
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Lotu Inisi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Pepesana Patafilo
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referee: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper
TMO: Glenn Newman
Reds vs Fijian Drua, 7.35pm
Josh Flook will play his first match in three months after being named in the centres for the Reds’ home clash against the Drua on Saturday evening.
With rising midfielder Dre Pakeho given a breather, Flook will partner Hunter Paisami in one of a couple of changes to the Reds’ side.
The other sees Tim Ryan start on the wing, with versatile Test back Filipo Daugunu included on the bench.
The pack stays the same with Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru still sidelined.
Reds coach Les Kiss said his side were aware of the threat the Drua posed, especially with several of their regulars, including Tevita Ikanivere, to play their final match for the club.
“We welcome back ‘Flooky’ and his partnership in the centres with Hunter has always been a strong point for us,” Kiss said.
“Flooky adds a calm and controlled voice in that crucial outside centre channel.
“Filipo will have impact off the bench this week. Dre has been excellent for us and has played the fifth most minutes of any player this season. This weekend is a chance for him to refresh.
“The Drua are always a dangerous opponent as we found out in Suva earlier this month. We can’t drop our guard.
“The team’s leadership group made the strong point this week that Suncorp Stadium is our home and this is the last chance (in the regular season) to show who we are and how much our fans mean to us.”
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Kitione Salawa, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakiavata, Simione Kuruvoli, Inia Tabuavou, Isikeli Rabitu
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
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