SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific enters the business end of the regular season in Round 13 with four crucial matches.
There is a pair of Australian derbies as the NSW Waratahs face the Queensland Reds whilst the Western Force hosts the ACT Brumbies.
Catch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua take on the Blues in a clash with major finals implications, with the Crusaders-Chiefs showdown the match of the round.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge (c), Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Vuate Karawalevu, Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu
- Josefa Tamani starts at blindside flanker after an injury to Etonia Waqa.
- Ponipate Loganimasi returns to the wing, with Selestino Ravutaumada moving to fullback.
- Sailosi Vukalokalo gets a spot on the bench for a potential Super Rugby Pacific debut.
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Zarn Sullivan
- Corey Evans earns a start at fullback
- AJ Lam moves to the wing after coming off the bench last week.
- Zarn Sullivan returns to the reserves alongside Harry Plummer and Finlay Christie.
- The Blues have won all four matches against the Fijian Drua by an average margin of 22.
- The Fijian Drua have conceded more than 30 points at HFC Bank Stadium in each of their last three games at the venue, winning just once.
- The Blues have not lost back-to-back games outside New Zealand since 2019
Key Match Up
Selestino Ravutaumada v Corey Evans
Selestino Ravutaumada is hoping a move to fullback will unlock the fan favourite in the backline, which is desperately needed for the Fijian Drua to cause an upset.
The 25-year-old is yet to score in eight games and needs a big game to spark the hosts.
Meanwhile, Evans has a chance to cement his spot at fullback after spending the middle of the season there.
Blues by 17
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Felix Kalapu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
- Tane Edmed starts in the halves alongside captain Jake Gordon.
- Dave Porecki and Fergus Lee-Warner have been cleared of injury and start in the tight five.
- Henry O’Donnell returns to the starting side in the midfield.
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
- Filipo Daugunu returns from injury and starts at outside centre.
- Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto have been elevated to the starting second row.
- Josh Nasser is a welcome return from injury on the bench.
- The Queensland Reds have won seven of their last eight matches against the NSW Waratahs, including their last three and last three in NSW.
- The NSW Waratahs have won their last five matches in NSW by an average of 8.4 points per game; their last streak of this length came in 2014 when they won all 10 home fixtures.
- The Queensland Reds have won six of their last seven games against Australian opponents, with the NSW Waratahs winning just two from ten against Australian opposition.
Tane Edmed v Tom Lynagh
All attention will be on Tane Edmed as he returns to the starting side for the Waratahs.
Edmed has struggled after his Wallabies debut but has the chance to vault himself back into Test contention against the form Australian half in Lynagh.
Lynagh is building a strong case to be in the Wallabies’ 23 for the opening Lions Test and can cement his status further with a steady game against the old rivals.
Reds by 7
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod
- Rivez Reihana starts at flyhalf after Taha Kemara’s ruptured ACL.
- Antonio Shalfoon comes back into the second row and partners with Scott Barrett.
- Sevu Reece and Braydon Ennor bolster the backline.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
- Damian McKenzie is the big inclusion after overcoming a hand injury.
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi has been named in the starting second-row.
- Wallace Sititi starts at number eight after returning from injury off the bench in the past fortnight.
- The Chiefs are looking for just their fourth clean sweep of the Crusaders in their history.
- The Crusaders have won eight of their last ten matches against the Chiefs in Christchurch.
- The Chiefs have the most entries into the 22 (11.1 per game) in Super Rugby Pacific but the Crusaders are the most efficient (3.51 points per attacking 22 entry)
Will Jordan v Shaun Stevenson
Two of the best fullbacks in Super Rugby Pacific going head-to-head; it’s a match-up that delights any fan.
Jordan has taken his game to the next level with three tries in his last two and is ready to help the Crusaders to the minor premiership.
However, Stevenson is in brilliant form in his own rights, showing what All Blacks selectors they’ve been missing.
Crusaders by 2
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale
Replacements: Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Max Burey, Sio Tomkinson
- The starting XV remains unchanged for the Force.
- Tom Horton, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua and Sio Tomkinson have all been added to the bench.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
- Hooker Lachlan Lonergan starts with Billy Pollard rested for the week.
- Lachlan Shaw comes into the starting second-row.
- Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek and Harrison Goddard take their place on the bench.
- The Western Force are hunting for a clean sweep over the ACT Brumbies for the first time in their history.
- The ACT Brumbies have won six of their last seven matches at HBF Park.
- However, the Western Force have lost just twice at HBF Park in their last ten games.
Bayley Kuenzle v Len Ikitau
Kuenzle will have the tough task of shutting down Ikitau if the Force are to come away with the victory.
The Force centre hopes a big performance will keep his name in Wallabies contention after returning from injury last month.
Ikitau is the perfect benchmark against which to test himself; he is one of the best in his position in the world.
Force by 2
