The Highlanders have welcomed back Shannon Frizell to their lineup to play the Force, after the All Blacks flanker was not charged by police following allegations of assault.
Keep checking in for all the latest round two team news.
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HURRICANES vs REBELS, Friday 5.05pm AEST in Wellington
The Hurricanes will unleash wrecking ball Ngani Laumape on a Rebels side reeling from a 50-3 loss to the Blues in the opening round of Super Rugby trans-Tasman.
All Blacks centre Laumape – who is joining Stade Francais at the end of the season – was rested from the Hurricanes' wild 64-48 win over the Waratahs at the SCG.
He replaces Peter Umaga-Jensen at No.12 in one of six changes to the starting side.
Also in are prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Scott Scrafton and winger Wes Goosen while Jonathan Taumateine and Orbyn Leger form a new halves pairing.
Halfback Luke Campbell is rested while five-eighth Ruben Love is out with concussion.
"At the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa we made it clear to the squad that there will be opportunities for players to show what they can do and we are determined to create plenty of competition for positions as we work through the coming weeks," Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.
"That's created some real excitement in our squad and that's been matched by the opportunity to be back playing in front of our fans."
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Orbyn Leger, Jonathan Taumateine, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (c), Xavier Numia
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Liam Mitchell, Brayden Iose, Gareth Evans, Cam Roigard, Lolagi Visinia
REBELS (TBC)
Referee: Graham Cooper (AUS)
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FORCE vs HIGHLANDERS, Friday 7.45pm AEST in Perth
The Highlanders have welcomed back Shannon Frizell to their lineup to play the Force, after the All Blacks flanker was not charged by police following allegations of assault.
Frizell was omitted from the Highlanders side that beat the Reds handsomely in round one because of the late night bar incident.
The 27-year-old replaces Japan international Kazuki Himeno in the starting side, with Hugh Renton moving from the blindside to No.8.
Bryn Evans comes in for Josh Dickson at lock while Josh Ioane returns from an ankle injury to earn a spot on the bench.
FORCE (TBC)
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Sam Gilbert, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (co-c), Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Bryn Evans, Pari Pari Parkinson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-c), Ayden Johnstone
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, Kazuki Himeno, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Ngatugnane Punivai
Referee: Nic Berry (AUS)
BLUES vs WARATAHS, Saturday 2.35pm AEST in Auckland
BLUES (TBC)
WARATAHS (TBC)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
CHIEFS vs BRUMBIES, Saturday 5.05pm AEST in Hamilton
CHIEFS (TBC)
BRUMBIES (TBC)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)
REDS vs CRUSADERS, Saturday 7.45pm AEST in Brisbane
REDS (TBC)
CRUSADERS (TBC)
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ)
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