The Brumbies are boosted by the return of Rob Valetini for the grudge match against the Waratahs, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto makes his season debut for the Reds.

See all the team news as it’s revealed below.

(All times are AEDT)

Friday

Moana Pasifika vs Chiefs, 5:05pm

Saturday

Highlanders vs Reds, 2:35pm

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson will captain the Reds for the first time, with Liam Wright and Fraser McReight injured and Tate McDermott rested.

But in a sign of the times and growing depth in Australian rugby following the Rebels’ unfortunate demise, the Reds will still roll out a strong outfit against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon which has been bolstered by the return of Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

“I feel very privileged to be able to captain Queensland,” Wilson said.

“I’ve always liked to lead in my own way and help the team in any way I can. It just happens I’ll have the (c) next to my name this week. A week later I’ll probably be back to my normal role.

“I definitely feel more relaxed in this captaincy situation because of the Wallabies experiences I had last year. I just want to really enjoy this with a squad that has the opportunity to go to New Zealand and get a win in a city where we haven’t done so for 12 years.”

Harry Wilson. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Indeed, with injuries and Rugby Australia’s high performance protocols taking place, the Reds have made several changes from the one that put away the Waratahs at home.

Up front, hooker Richie Asiata comes in for Matt Faessler, who came off early against the Waratahs last week. Asiata joins Sef Fa’agase and Zane Nonggorr in the front-row.

Ryan Smith’s stand-down allows for Angus Blyth to join Josh Canham in the second-row, with re-signed Wallaby Salakaia-Loto to play his first minutes of this year’s Super Rugby season since injuring his leg during a pre-season tour to the United Kingdom.

Rising loose-forward John Bryant replaces Fraser McReight, who is expected to miss a couple of weeks because of an AC issue in his shoulder.

Kalani Thomas earns a rare start, with McDermott given a week to recharge the batteries. Louis Werchon provides cover from the bench.

On the bench, George Blake will show his versatility by providing cover at hooker. Massimo De Lutiis returns after having a week off last week.“

There’s going to be some really rowdy students in the stands under the roof. It’ll be a good atmosphere and a challenge to enjoy,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“We have a game we think we can win with. We just have to put it on the park with the balance we have been working on.

“Harry has been part of our leadership group from the start this season and his presence in the locker room makes him the ideal man for the captaincy this week.

“Guys like John Bryant and Joe Brial step up for us with lots of qualities and Lukhan is a massive addition who will add leadership as well.”

HIGHLANDERS (1-15):

Replacements:

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray

Replacements: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho

Blues vs Crusaders, 5:05pm

Waratahs vs Brumbies, 7:35pm

The return of Rob Valetini is a massive boost for the Brumbies, with the reigning back-to-back John Eales Medallist in line to play his first minutes of 2025.

As first revealed by The Roar, Valetini suffered a hamstring injury in mid-January but has made his way back and the reports coming out of Canberra is that the wrecking-ball Wallaby has been fit and firing for more than a week.

There’s just a couple of minor tweaks to Stephen Larkham’s side, with Billy Pollard returning at hooker ahead of Lachie Lonergan.

Nick Frost is joined by his Test teammate Cadeyrn Neville, with rising talent Lachie Shaw to come off the bench.

Valetini is joined in the midfield by Tom Hooper and on-ball specialist Luke Reimer, with Rory Scott to provide cover from the bench.

The one change in the backline sees Ollie Sapsford come in to join Len Ikitau in the midfield after David Feliaui suffered a concussion early against the Drua last week.

WARATAHS (1-15):

Replacements:

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuiaka, Lachie Shaw, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Austin Anderson

Sunday

Western Force vs Fijian Drua, 5:05pm

After standing down several players of national interest for last week’s loss to the Crusaders, Simon Cron has welcomed back a swathe of first-XV players back into his side for Sunday’s vital clash against the Drua in Perth.

Needing to adhere to Rugby Australia’s management protocols, Cron chose the difficult clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch to do so. It showed on the field, with the Force falling away in the second half after closing the margin to 27-21 before falling away badly in the second half.

There won’t be any excuses this weekend though, with the Force’s depth strengthened by the returns of the four rested Wallabies (Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson and Hamish Stewart) and a fifth, Dylan Pietsch, who missed the trip across the ditch with a minor knee injury.

Cron also welcomes back bruising back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny, who suffered a concussion against the Waratahs a week earlier. Vaiolini Ekuasi will also come off the bench after missing the past fortnight after welcoming a new child into the world.

The Force have also made a couple of tweaks to their pack, with Ryan Coxon and Nic Dolly promoted to the starting side where they will join Tom Robertson in the front-row. Marley Pearce drops back to the bench and provides cover alongside Tom Horton and Atu Moli.

Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain once again form the second-row, while White and Donaldson form an experienced halves pairing.

Stewart’s return sees Reesjan Pasitoa return to the bench.

Pietsch forms a strong back three alongside Harry Potter and the in-form Mac Grealy.

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa

DRUA (1-15):

Replacements: