Stephen Perofeta. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ActionPress
Stephen Perofeta is back from injury and straight into a Blues starting line-up searching for a statement win this weekend at Eden Park. In more good news for the defending champions, Hoskins Sotutu returns from suspension to start at number eight.
Vern Cotter's retained 20-year-old midfielder Xavi Taele after his solid debut last weekend, while Corey Evans gets the nod at fullback.
Other selection talking points:
Ethan Blackadder is out with injury for the Crusaders, his spot at openside is taken by Tom Christie. Noah Hotham returns from an injury picked up in their first game but is now in a serious battle to get the starting halfback spot back from Kyle Preston.
Form flanker Simon Parker and Anton Lienert-Brown are missing from the Chiefs with injury, replaced by Kaylum Boshier and Gideon Wrampling in the starting lineup. Quinn Tupaea is rotated to the bench.
Ardie Savea is out of Moana Pasifika's lineup, while he sustained a hamstring complaint in his last game, Savea is also due an All Black-enforced break. Englishman Tom Savage takes over as captain. Ola Tauelangi starts in a rejigged loose forward trio that sees Miracle Faiilagi move to openside.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen starts at second five for the Highlanders, moving Timoci Tavatavanawai back out to the wing for the Highlanders in their match against the Reds. TK Howden moves from loose forward to lock, with Fabian Holland coming off the bench.
Super Rugby Pacific standings after round 5 Photo: supplied
Team lists
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 21 March
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Hoskins Sotutu. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage (c), 5. Allan Craig, 6. Ola Tauelangi, 7. Miracle Faiilagi, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 14. Losi Filipo, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Tito Tuipulotu, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Michael Curry, 20. Semisi Paea, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Tevita Ofa, 23. Tuna Tuitama
Chiefs: 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Reuben O'Neill, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vai'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Sione Ahio, 19. James Thompson, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Quinn Tupaea
Highlanders v Reds
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 22 March
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (left) of the Highlanders. Photo: Darren England / www.photosport.nz
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. TK Howden, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Sean Withy, 7. Viveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Finn Hurley
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sefo Kautai, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Will Stodart, 21. James Arscott, 22. Ajay Faleafaga, 23. Sam Gilbert
Blues v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 22 March
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Noah Hotham celebrates his try with Codie Taylor, Sevu Reece and Dallas McLeod of the Crusaders during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Crusaders Vs Blues, at the Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Photo: Photosport
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Kyle Preston, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Macca Springer
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Cameron Christie, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. James Mullan, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Tristyn Cook, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes
Other games
Waratahs v Brumbies
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 22 March
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Force v Drua
Kick-off: 7:05pm Sunday 23 March
HBF Park, Perth
Hurricanes: bye
