Wallace Sititi shifts the ball on. Photo: Photosport
Wallace Sititi is back for the Chiefs, after a long layoff due to a knee injury sustained on last season's All Black end of year tour. He will be on the bench for Friday night's match against the Force in Mt Maunganui. Meanwhile, Samisoni Taukei'aho is set to earn his 100th cap when he runs out in front a sold-out crowd at Bay Oval.
Other selection news:
Beauden Barrett is on the bench for the Blues for their game against the Reds, word from the team is that he's recovering from an illness so it gives Harry Plummer a chance to start in the 10 jersey. Dalton Papali'i is out, replaced by Anton Segner at openside, and Kurt Eklund replaces Ricky Riccitelli at hooker.
Ardie Savea returns for Moana for their battle of the Pacific against the Drua - Julian Savea is on the bench as the brothers will likely take the field for the first time together at their new team. Somewhat surprisingly, Jackson Garden-Bachop is once again preferred at first five ahead of Patrick Pellegrini.
Injuries to Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki mean there's a reshuffle on the wings at the Highlanders, with Timoci Tavatavanawai moving back out and Jonah Lowe starting on the other. Sean Withy is back from suspension to start at openside.
Meanwhile the Crusaders have given Xavier Saifoloi a start at blindside for the match in Dunedin, while Macca Springer gets the nod on the wing ahead of Chay Fihaki.
A big boost for the Hurricanes with Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor back in the starting midfield, while Kini Naholo comes back onto the wig. Ruben Love once again starts at 10, but last weekend's form player Fatafehi Fineanganofo is out with concussion.
Team lists
Chiefs v Force
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 25 April
Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Anton Lienert-Brown scores. Photo: Photosport
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (C), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Daniel Rona, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 23. Kaleb Trask
Blues v Reds
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 25 April
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Harry Plummer leaps into the sky. Photo: Photosport
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Cam Christie, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Mark Tele'a, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Hamdahn Tuipolotu, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Corey Evans
Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 26 April
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika with fans after winning the Super Rugby Pacific - Crusaders v Moana Pasifika at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand, 29th March 2025. Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Fine Inisi, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Tomasi Maka, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Julian Savea
Highlanders v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 26 April
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Will Jordan. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Mau, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Sean Withy, 8. Will Stodart, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Jake Te Hiwi, 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Josh Whaanga
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Xavier Saifoloi, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Chay Fihaki
Brumbies v Hurricanes
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 26 April
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Brad Shields of the Hurricanes makes a run. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Raymond Tuputupu, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Zach Gallagher, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan
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