NSW's outrageous run of injuries has continued with Test forwards Enrique Pieretto and Lachie Swinton ruled out of Saturday's clash with Moana Pasifika.
But the Brumbies have regained star winger Corey Toole for their important clash with the Rebels on Friday.
Read on for all the latest round 14 Super Rugby Pacific team news.
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CHIEFS vs HURRICANES in Hamilton, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEST
Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has been ruled out of Friday's crucial New Zealand derby against the Chiefs in a clash of No.2 and No.4 on the ladder.
Shields joins a list of injured stars including Tyrel Lomax, Cam Roigard, Asafo Aumua and Du'Plessis Kirifi as Jordie Barrett takes the leadership reins.
"The Chiefs have threats all over the park, so it's a case of a new week, new challenge for the team," Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
"Our bench has been fantastic this season, whether a 5-3 or 6-2 we've always had a nice balance and the ability for those players to come into the match at crucial stages and add an impact has been great to see."
The Chiefs have named an unchanged starting side from the one that beat the Rebels.
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: Tyrone Thompson, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
Reserves: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
Referee: Paul Williams
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BRUMBIES vs REBELS in Canberra, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEST
The Brumbies have regained star winger Corey Toole for their important clash with the Rebels on Friday.
Toole is back after missing three weeks with an ankle injury while hooker Billy Pollard also starts after shaking off a knee issue.
The Rebels, meanwhile, welcome back Wallabies stars Andrew Kellaway and Taniela Tupou.
Kellaway will start at fullback while Tupou is on the bench.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Reserves: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Rob Leota (c), Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Glen Vaihu, Nick Jooste, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Andrew Kellaway
Reserves: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Luke Callan, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, James Tuttle, Mason Gordon
Referee: Angus Gardner
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MOANA PASIFIKA vs WARATAHS in Auckland, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEST
NSW's outrageous run of injuries has continued with Test forwards Enrique Pieretto and Lachie Swinton ruled out of Saturday's clash with Moana Pasifika.
Argentina prop Pieretto had arrived in Sydney as emergency front row cover but hurt his neck in his Waratahs debut against the Force.
Wallabies enforcer Swinton also has a neck injury although outgoing coach Darren Coleman has regained the services of fit again forward Ned Hanigan.
There are 18 players unavailable due to injury and props Harry Lloyd and Michael Scott are both in line for their NSW debuts.
Coleman has recalled Tane Edmed at five-eighth as he tries to avoid the wooden spoon in his final season at the helm.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Aisea Halo, William Havili, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Fine Inisi, Danny Toala
Reserves: Tomasi Maka, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Siaosi Nginingini, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Taefu
WARATAHS (1-15): Harry Lloyd, Jay Fonokalafi, Brad Amituanai, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Reserves: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Michael Scott, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Vuate Karawalevu
Referee: Nic Berry
CRUSADERS vs BLUES in Christchurch, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEST
Blues stars Rieko Ioane and Stephen Perofeta have returned from injury to bolster the competition leader's backline against the Crusaders.
Perofeta will start at fullback with Harry Plummer allowed to continue his good form in the No.10 jersey.
"It's great to welcome back the likes of Rieko and Stevie. They add plenty of calm and experience to our backline," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
"We've selected a side to go down south and do a job. Wins down in Christchurch are rare for the Blues and we want to make sure we prepare well this week and go down with a focus and determination befitting of the occasion."
Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder will play his first match since April while Fergus Burke will continue in the No.10 jersey.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Reserves: George Bell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taha Kemara, Dallas McLeod
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu'a, PJ Sheck, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Sam Nock, Cole Forbes, Caleb Tangitau
Referee: James Doleman
REDS vs FORCE in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEST
The Reds have been boosted by a host of key players and will field a completely changed front row from the one that started in the loss to the Drua.
Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen come in for Peni Ravai, Josh Nasser and Zane Nonggorr while Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, Seru Uru and Tim Ryan are other important inclusions.
Lynagh replaces Lawson Creighton at No.10 after recovering from a hamstring injury.
"It's Tom's chance to lead from No.10," Reds coach Les Kiss said.
"We've seen his strong form earlier in the season. We recognise we need to be at our best against the Force. They have found their groove over the past five weeks. They have been playing some impressive rugby. We are looking forward to playing strongly at Suncorp Stadium in our last home game before the finals."
The Force have named Junior Wallabies winger Ronan Leahy to make his debut ahead of Chase Tiatia in the only change to the starting side.
Fullback Kurtley Beale has been named and is expected to be available despite the planned birth of his second child on Wednesday.
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa'agase, Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Taj Annan
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Ronan Leahy, 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, Chase Tiatia
Referee: Damon Murphy
HIGHLANDERS vs FIJIAN DRUA in Dunedin, Sunday 12.05pm kickoff AEST
The Highlanders have been bolstered by the return of Billy Harmon and Jona Nareki, who will start at No.8 and on the left wing respectively.
Ajay Falefaga will wear No.10 after Cameron Millar (HIA) was ruled out.
"Ajay has a played a few games as an emerging 10 this season and he's fit and ready and really excited to get out on the field for our last home game this weekend," Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said.
"He's been working hard with the coaches and Rhys (Patchell) on his ability to control the game and I'm looking forward to seeing that on Sunday."
Sam Gilbert will partner Jake Te Hiwi in midfield after Tanielu Tele'a (knee) was ruled out.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Ajay Falegaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Jake Te Hiwi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop
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, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
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