The bye rounds are over with and we’re back to a full program for week 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, including a hectic four game schedule on Saturday.

Check out all the teams as they’re named here (all times AEST).

Friday

Hurricanes vs Brumbies, 5.05pm

Len Ikitau and Pete Samu miss out again but ACT Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has named a strong side for Friday’s top-four clash against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
 
Billy Pollard earns his first start of the year and the hooker joins James Slipper and captain Allan Alaalatoa in the fornt row.

Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville renew their starting second row partnership, with Uni-Norths Owls number eight Charlie Cale joining Rob Valetini and Rory Scott in the backrow in place of Samu, who is expected to fit for next week’s trip to Melbourne.
 
Nic White will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves, with Tamati Tua and Ollie Sapsford combining in the centres. Ikitau is also on track to be available for the Brumbies round 11 matchup against the Rebels.
 
Corey Toole is fit to take his place on the left wing after missing the Brumbies bonus-point win against the Fijian Drua, with Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright rounding out the back-three.
 
Round eight hat-trick hero Ben O’Donnell completes the Brumbies matchday selection.

“We’re in a good place heading into an exciting test for our group on Friday night,” said Larkham.
 
“Len and Pete weren’t far off but we felt they needed an extra week, and it gives a guy like Charlie Cale another opportunity after some excellent performances in the John I Dent Cup.
 
“We’ve built well over the first eight rounds, and we’ve refreshed in bye week, but our focus doesn’t change. We know where we want to go, and we’ll get there by preparing well and performing each week.”

Former All Blacks winger Julian Savea will play his 150th game for the Hurricanes, who made just one change to their starting lineup with the return of lock Isaia Walker-Leawere.

The 32-year-old Savea will become just the second Hurricanes player to 150 games, equalling TJ Perenara’s club record.

Hurricanes (1-15):  Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Cam Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby.

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Caleb Delany, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo.

Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell.

Referee: James Doleman.

Waratahs vs Highlanders, 7.35pm

Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has recalled six Wallabies to his starting XV that lost to the Blues in Auckland.

Dave Porecki returns with Mahe Vailanu moving to the bench, while Te Tera Faulkner replaces the injured Tom Lambert to complete an all-Wallaby front-row alongside Harry Johnson-Holmes. 

Hugh Sinclair returns from a shoulder injury suffered against the Rebels in round three, partnering Jed Holloway in the second row.

Coleman has added two Wallabies to his back-row with Michael Hooper returning to the side after completing his national resting, while Langi Gleeson returns from a calf injury suffered against the Hurricanes in round four.

Jake Gordon continues his all-Wallaby partnership with Ben Donaldson in the halves, while Wallaby rested Lalakai Foketi resumes his devastating combination in the midfield with Izaia Perese.

Max Jorgensen returns to fullback, with Wallaby rested Mark Nawaqanitawase joining Dylan Pietsch on the wings.

The Waratahs will be wearing their 2023 First Nations jersey which has been designed by Pietsch.

Coleman said: “We’ve been inconsistent to date, but we’re really excited about the run home and the number of games we have at Allianz. The team is focused on finishing the season strong and getting into the finals in form and healthy.

“It’s great to welcome back several high-quality players with Porecki, Sinclair, Hooper and Gleeson who will add some punch to our forward pack whilst Lalakai and Marky provide a real spark for our attack.

“Mosese Tuipulotu showed a lot of exciting pre-season form and some glimpses against the Hurricanes before he injured his knee and we’re excited to see some impact from him in the second half.”

Aaron Smith will captain the Highlanders in place of flanker Billy Harmon, who misses the game for personal reasons.

Smith missed last week’s loss to the Force due to a family bereavement.

Fellow All Blacks halfback Folau Fakatava also returns while winger Jona Nareki features for the first time this season.

Sean Withy will take Harmon’s place in the No 7 jersey.

Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, David Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Taleni Seu, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Daniel Botha, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Harrison Goddard, Joey Walton, Mosese Tuipulotu.

Referee: Damon Murphy.

Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Shannon Frizell, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith (c), Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Jonah Lowe, Connor Garden-Bachop.

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki.

Saturday

Fijian Drua vs Blues, 12.05pm

NRL’s new old signing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been left out of the Blues’ 23 to face the Drua.

The Blues lost lock Patrick Tuipulotu to injury this week, but will send out a strong lineup in Lautoka.

As expected, prop Nepo Laulala (calf) and fullback Stephen Perofeta (shoulder) are also missing with coach Leon MacDonald saying both face around a month on the sidelines.

Marcel Renata comes in to start at tighthead prop and Zarn Sullivan wears the No.15.

Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Eroni Sau, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese.

Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Jone Tiko, Chris Minimbi, Joseva Tamani, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Apisalome Vota.

Blues (1-15): Ofa Tuungafasi, Soane Vikena, Marcel Renata, Cameron Suafoa, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan.

Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, James Lay, James Tucker, Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe.

Moana Pasifika vs Rebels, 2.35pm

Moana Pasifika (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Jonah Mau’u, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Foma’i, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.

Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Chris Apoua, Alex McRobbie, Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi.

Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, David Feliuai, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway.

Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Faumausili, Tim Cardall, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Joe Pincus, Lukas Ripley.

Referee: Brendon Pickerill.

Chiefs vs Crusaders, 5.05pm

The Chiefs are back to full strength with co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber returning for the visit of the defending champions after missing last week’s 50-17 win over Drua.

Also back are Luke Jacobson and Emoni Narawa while Tupou Vaa’i will start alongside Brodie Retallick in their second row.

Damian McKenzie shifts to No.10 and Shaun Stevenson returns to fullback.

Aidan Ross and George Dyer are also back as first-choice props among their eight changes to the starting side.

Tighthead prop Oli Jager will make his first appearance of the season from the bench for the Crusaders.

Winger Leicester Fainga’anuku is back after missing the last two games with a calf strain, and will start in the No.11 jersey.

All Black veteran Sam Whitelock will play his 350th first class game.

Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson.

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Lalomilo Lalomilo/ Falefa Sinamoga.

Crusaders (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Dom Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Fergus Burke.

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Jack Goodhue, Macca Springer

Referee: Angus Gardner

Reds vs Force, 7.35pm

Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright and lock Seru Uru will return to face the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

Uru and Wright are the two changes to the Reds XV who beat Moana Pasifika a fortnight ago, with Jordan Petaia moving to fullback and Jock Campbell to the wing in a reshuffled backline.

George Blake is set for a Queensland and Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.

Uru’s return from concussion sees him start alongside Connor Vest at lock, while Wright will reprise his combination with the Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson who re-signed with the Reds through 2025 today.

Co-captain Tate McDermott again partners Lawson Creighton in the halves, with James O’Connor and Josh Flook starting in the midfield.

Blake will potentially debut off the bench, with Filipo Daugunu also returning to the side as a finisher.

Force coach Simon Cron has made three changes to his starting side from the one that beat the Highlanders at home.

All three are injury related, with Test loosehead prop Tom Robertson ruled out with a calf strain, flanker Ollie Callan a neck issue and Toni Pulu concussion.

The 118kg loosehead prop replaces Robertson in the No.1 jersey while returning Force openside flanker Carlo Tizzano makes a welcomed return in the No.7 jersey, three years after leaving the club.

Former England sevens flyer Zach Kibirige also makes a timely return after missing last week’s win and slots in for Pulu.
The other key change sees Gareth Simpson return via the bench, with the halfback missing the past two games. He replaces Ian Prior.

Reds (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Jock Campbell, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia.

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Peni Ravai, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu.

Force: (1-15): Charlie Hancock, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Michael Wells (c), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia.

Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Rahboni Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman.

Referee: Reuben Keane.