The Highlanders have dropped captain Billy Harmon and flanker Sean Withy to the bench against the Waratahs for disciplinary reasons.
"A couple of players this week were late for a team meeting. Part of our standards this year is no matter who it is, it's unacceptable and you lose your place in the team," Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said.
Read on for all the latest round Super Rugby Pacific team news.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad-free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport
MOANA PASIFIKA vs REBELS in Hamilton, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
MOANA (15-1):
Reserves:
REBELS (15-1): Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Andrew Kellaway, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Rob Leota (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Josh Kemeny, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon
Reserves: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Lukas Ripley
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
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WARATAHS vs HIGHLANDERS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
Wallabies centre Izaia Perese will return from concussion to start in a buoyant Waratahs side following their upset win against the Crusaders.
Perese replaces Harry Wilson in the NSW starting lineup while Triston Reilly comes in for Dylan Pietsch on the left wing.
WARATAHS (15-1): Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Mahe Vailanu, Angus Bell
Reserves: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Fergus-Lee Warner, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele'a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (c)
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe
Referee: Damon Murphy
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Joe Wheeler recap all the action from Super Round in Melbourne
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/tahs-heroics-sizzling-red-heads/embed?in_playlist=podcast
FIJIAN DRUA vs CRUSADERS in Lautoka, Saturday 12.05pm kickoff AEDT
DRUA (15-1):
Reserves:
CRUSADERS (15-1): Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Taha Kemara, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower
Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Jone Rova, Riley Hohepa
Reserves:
Referee: Nic Berry
BRUMBIES vs FORCE in Canberra, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan (c), Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tom Hooper, Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Sefo Kautai, Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper,
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
FORCE (15-1): Max Burey, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Michael Wells, Jeremy Williams (c), Tom Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu'u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman
Referee: Dan Waenga
HURRICANES vs BLUES in Wellington, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
Sam Darry's serious knee injury has opened the door for Cameron Suafoa to start in the Blues second row on Saturday.
Darry has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks with an MCL injury.
All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Finlay Christie also return to the starting lineup after their "load management" rest last weekend.
Akira Ioane has been switched from blindside flanker to No.8.
"We're expecting a fierce battle up front and so his no nonsense approach to the game will help us gain ascendancy in that area on Saturday night," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
HURRICANES (15-1): Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor (co-c), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, TK Howden, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tevita Mafileo
Reserves: James O'Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Cole Forbes
Referee: Jordan Way
REDS vs CHIEFS in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Mac Grealy, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (co-c), Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa'agase
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan
CHIEFS (15-1): Josh Ioane, Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
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