Round Four of Super Rugby Pacific is staked with great games after the competition has been blown wide open.
The Crusaders start the round desperate for a win over the Hurricanes after a winless opening three matches.
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Taniela Tupou then takes on former team Queensland Reds whilst the Western Force host Moana Pasifika in Perth.
The ACT Brumbies travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders whilst the NSW Waratahs close out the round against the Blues.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round four, presented by Bet365
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Zach Gallagher, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Finlay Brewis, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
- Scott Barrett (broken finger) is out, replaced by Zach Gallagher
- Riley Hohepa starts at flyhalf after his Super Rugby debut
- Macca Springer returns to the wing
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
- Xavier Numia has been promoted to the starting side
- Devan Flanders starts in the back-row
- Du’Plessis Kirifi comes back onto the bench
- The Crusaders have never lost four games in a row
- The Hurricanes are looking for back-to-back wins over the Crusaders for the first time since 2018
- The Hurricanes have averaged the most points (37) and tries (5.3) whilst the Crusaders have averaged the least (21)
David Havili v Riley Higgins
For the Crusaders to bounce back, they need their leaders to step up, starting with David Havili.
The All Black needs to find form to cement his standing in the national set-up and not find himself swept up in their struggles.
He comes up against Higgins, who filled the void left by Jordie Barrett perfectly with a crucial try.
Hurricanes by 6
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Angelo Smith, Jake Strachan, James Tuttle
- Taniela Tupou returns to the starting side against his old side
- Captain Rob Leota has overcome a knee injury after he was substituted early last week
- Glen Vaihu comes onto the wing, pushing Andrew Kellaway back to fullback
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Mac Grealy, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jordan Petaia
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been named at flyhalf for his maiden start
- Peni Ravai starts in the front-row after Sef Fa'agase's suspension
- Jordan Petaia makes his return from the bench after a concussion
- The Rebels will be looking to match their longest ever win streak with three straight victories
- The winning team in the Rebels' last seven games at AAMI Park have scored 40+ points
- The Reds have lost their last four matches outside of Queensland
Taniela Tupou v Zane Nonggorr
Taniela Tupou gets to face his old side after departing after seven years of service.
The new Rebel has floated between starting and finishing but Tupou has proven he can make an impact regardless of what jersey he wears.
Nonggorr has been seen as a mini-Tupou in the past and can make a statement with a strong game against his former mentor
Rebels by 3
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Max Burey
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Ollie Callan, Nic White, George Poolman
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa starts as NIc White goes to the bench
- Tim Ansee comes into the starting side in the back row
- Former Hurricane Reed Prinsep makes his club debut off the bench
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, Sekope Kepu, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Sateki Latu, Sione Mafileo, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Pepesana Patafilo
- Sekope Kepu and Christian Lealiifano add experience to the starting side
- Kyren Taumoefolau makes his starting debut on the wing
- Samiuela Moli returns via the bench
- The Force are unbeaten against Moana Pasifika in their two matches
- Moana Pasifika have won their last two in Australia, having lost their six previous games
- 88% of Moana Pasifika's tries have come in the 20 minute period either side of half time
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa v Ereatara Enari
Both halves will look to control their respective sides' attacks as they scrap for victory.
Fines-Leleiwasa gets his chance to start and will be desperate to prove his ability after finding himself behind Nic White.
As for Enari, he returns from the World Cup a more experienced player that needs to step up to inspire the sire
Force by 10
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (c), Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
- Jack Taylor starts at hooker for his maiden start
- Billy Harmon returns to the starting side after Hugh Renton's injury
- Cameron Millar and Martin Bogado gets their first starts in 2024
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
- Blake Schoupp and Billy Pollard start in the front row
- Cadeyrn Neville recovers from his head knock to start in the second row
- Jahrome Brown comes into the back row after a concussion to Luke Reimer.
- The Brumbies have won their last two matches against the Highlanders after losing six straight games
- The Highlanders have won their last three matches at Forsyth Barr Stadium
- Nick Frost leads the competition with lineout wins (21)
Corey Toole v Timoci Tavatavanawai
Two explosive wingers with the ability to break open a game at any point.
Toole's speed has been the key spark for the Brumbies' attack, starting his season on fire.
For Tavatavanawai, it's the power game both in attack and defence that can change a game
Brumbies by 8
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Quinn Tupaea
- Shaun Stevenson returns to fullback after Daniel Rona comes onto the wing
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Jimmy Tupou form a new-look second row partnership
- Kaylum Boshier comes into the back row to start
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Mesulame Dolokoto, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Junior Ratuva, Michael Naitokani, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
- Michael Naitokani starts in the centres alongside Iosefo Masi
- Junior Ratuva comes onto the wing for Epeli Momo
- Taniela Rakuro returns via the bench
- The Chiefs are looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since 2021
- The hosts have won 11 of their last 12 matches at FMG Stadium
- The Drua are one of two teams with a 100% scrum success rate along with the Reds whilst having the lowest lineout success rate
Shaun Stevenson v Ilaisa Droasese
Stevenson has lit up the Rugby world in the past 12 months and will test himself against one of the competition's biggest improvers.
The fullback has been electric in his opening three games and proves the key towards getting the best out of the Chiefs
Droasese is more of a quiet achiever in comparison but is just as critical in regards to getting the likes of Selestino Ravutaumada and Junior Ratuva involved
Chiefs by 15
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Jay Fonokalafi, Angus Bell, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Harry Wilson
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer and Julian Heaven make their starting debut in the front row
- Mark Nawaqanitawase replaced Max Jorgensen (hip) at fullback
- Lachlan Swinton makes his return from injury
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
- Hoskins Sotutu returns to the starting side at number eight
- All Black Ofa Tu'ungafasi makes his return to start at loosehead prop
- Caleb Clarke comes back onto the wing
- The Blues have won their last nine games against the Waratahs, their longest winning run against a team
- The Waratahs have scored 44% of their tries in the 20 minutes before halftime
- The Blues have the quickest ruck in the competition (2.69 seconds per ruck)
Langi Gleeson v Hoskins Sotutu
Gleeson will have his work cut out stopping one of the most in-form number eights in the world.
The backrower needs to shore up his handling after struggling against the Highlanders and Crusaders
He face Sotutu, who barnstormed his way through defenders in the opening rounds
Blues by 12
