Some of the biggest names in Australian rugby will likely be given a spell this weekend, with several Wallabies expected to be rested from fixtures – while the Reds are set to benefit from several returning stars

With the Wallabies to play a marathon 15 Tests this year, including winter’s blockbuster Lions series, Rugby Australia reintroduced some rest guidelines for players of national interest.

That high performance policy, which was agreed to by the respective Australian Super Rugby coaches prior to the season, states that players won’t play more than six straight games unless for exceptional circumstances.

Already, the Force, Reds and Brumbies have managed several players throughout the season, with Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson missing last weekend’s nail-biter with the Force. Josh Canham, the emerging Wallabies lock, was another who missed the fixture.

Another fringe Wallaby, halfback Ryan Lonergan, was also rested from the Brumbies’ narrow win over the Highlanders on Friday.

Harry Wilson. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

A couple of weeks earlier, Force coach Simon Cron rested several players of national interest for their tricky assignment against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

This weekend, it’s expected the Reds and Waratahs will also manage several players for their respective fixtures across the ditch.

Although Reds coach Les Kiss didn’t mention who will be stood down for their top of the table clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton, it’s believed rising playmaker Tom Lynagh, who missed their sole lost this year against the Crusaders last month, could have another spell.

“We’ll have a few more guys resting this week, just to make sure we give them the regeneration period that they need,” Kiss told reporters on Tuesday.

“And then as the season goes on, we should be able to manage their resources pretty well hopefully.”

Asked if that was because of the six-game rule that’s been introduced, Kiss explained there wasn’t a hard and fast policy and that RA took into consideration things like injuries in certain positions.

“Sometimes one game is not equal to another game. One training load is not equal to another training load. So we’re trying to manage those things,” he said.

“It’s a tough competition. There’s no easy games now.

“It’s important from my perspective that we manage our players the best we can.

“We’re working with RA on that, in terms of making sure we try and get the best out of each player. And that’s going to flex sometimes. If you’re injured in a certain position, you’ve got to allow a little bit of flexibility. And they’ve been very good with that.

“We’ve asked for some this week. We’ll probably get some flexibility this week and next week. We’ll see where they’re at.

“But overall, it’s just a process you work with to make sure we want to keep our players healthy, playing each week as much as we can for sure. Rest at the right times is important as well.”

Just who that is remains to be seen, but given Test back Josh Flook will be sidelined for another couple of weeks and Isaac Henry isn’t far away, Filipo Daugunu could be asked to play again.

The Reds will, however, welcome back some quality.

Not only is Wilson due to return, he will be joined by his Test teammates Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler, who are both fit to return after missing the last couple of wins.

Test centre Hunter Paisami is expected to also be fit after being a last-minute withdrawal for the Reds’ 28-24 win.

Fullback Jock Campbell is also fit to return after missing the bulk of the campaign.

Co-captain Liam Wright however could still be sidelined for another eight weeks though as he battles his latest shoulder issue.

“He’s been through a process. Liam likes a plan, he likes to be organised with that,” Kiss said. “That’s what I respect.”

Kiss said he was looking forward to heading across to New Zealand’s north island to take on the leading Kiwi outfit.

“It will be a test for us this week, for sure,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any secret that the Chiefs are probably the best team in the competition most consistently, so we know what that looks like hopefully this evening.”

Although the Reds have an impressive recent record against the Chiefs over the past few years, Kiss’ side was once again dumped out in the quarter-finals by the New Zealand heavyweights last year after a slow start to the knockout fixture.

“It was a slow start, then they had a quick start. So when the two meet, it hurt us,” said Kiss, reflecting on the defeat last year.

“Obviously it’s a memory. We’ve just got to make sure we do the things that make it real now. It’s going to be tough.

“It’s a great ground to play right there. They have a good fan base. They’re very boisterous.

“They have the kettlebells and the chainsaws going. So it’s intimidating. But that’s another challenge for us, another opportunity for us to be able to aim up to it and see if we can get the win.”

Meanwhile, the Waratahs are also expected to stand down a couple of big name forwards for their clash against Ardie Savea’s Moana Pasifika outfit on Saturday afternoon.

With Test duo Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell playing every match this year, including five straight since their round two bye, Dan McKellar will likely have next week’s home clash against the Chiefs in the back of his mind.

 (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Other forwards like Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson have also played big minutes.

Despite the unfortunate loss of Max Jorgensen, at least McKellar will be able to call upon the services of Test outside back Andrew Kellaway after he was rested for last week’s heavy defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Although taking on Moana Pasifika was once considered a chance to record a bonus point win, those days are long gone with Tana Umaga’s side one of the competition’s big movers despite laying ninth on the competition standings.

Their 45-29 win over the Crusaders last Saturday was further proof of their huge rise in 2025, with former Shute Shield playmaker Patrick Pellegrini one of the competition’s breakout stars.