Dan McKellar has decided to bite the bullet against the Drua, resting three of his internationals for Saturday’s tricky assignment in Fiji.

The Brumbies have named Len Ikitau’s replacement and got creative in the front-row following Blake Schoupp’s injury.

While the Western Force have welcomed back Bayley Kuenzle following his devastating knee injury last year that cruelled his hopes of pushing for a Wallabies call up.

Check out all the team news as it’s revealed below.

(All times are AEST).

Friday

Crusaders vs Blues, 5:05pm

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has named captain David Havili for Friday’s New Zealand derby against the Blues despite a troublesome Achilles issue that forced him to leave the field during last weekend’s important win over the Hurricanes.

Having missed a couple of games, Havili returned last week but only got through half an hour of last week’s win in Wellington before retiring to the bench with discomfort.

Havili got through training on Wednesday and is set to start, although Dallas McLeod will be on standby in case there are any setbacks.

The Crusaders have been boosted by the return of Codie Taylor from concussion, and halfback Kyle Preston (ribs) for their penultimate match before their second bye week.

Codie Taylor has been named for the Crusaders’ huge clash against the Blues on Friday. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

The Crusaders are sitting pretty in the top two of the Super Rugby standings, but Friday’s clash against the Blues shapes as one of their hardest tests yet.

After a slow start, last year’s champions have won back-to-back matches and have welcomed back Zarn Sullivan for the first time in 2025.

The fullback’s return is timely, with Caleb Clark ruled out. It also sees Cole Forbes shift to the wing.

Blues coach Vern Cotter opted for a forwards heavy 6-2 bench split.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Mark Tele’a, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer

Referee: Nic Berry

Saturday

Drua vs Waratahs, 12:05pm

The Waratahs might be unchanged in the backline, but McKellar has been forced to rejig his pack with the coach using Saturday’s afternoon clash against the Drua as the time to rest his players of national interest.

With players of national interest unable to play more than seven straight matches, McKellar has rested Wallabies Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota. Langi Gleeson, the powerful back-rower, will also come off the bench.

The changes have seen Isaac Kailea promoted to the starting side for the first time in 2025, with the Wallaby packing down alongside Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha.

Hugh Sinclair and Ben Grant once again form the second-row, while the Waratahs will have plenty of on-ball pressure in the back-row with Jamie Adamson moving to blindside flanker to accommodate Charlie Gamble’s return. Powerful loose-forward Leafi Talataina starts in the No.8 role.

McKellar insisted the forced rest period wouldn’t be used as an excuse and that they were headed to Lautoka intent on chalking up their first win on the road this year.

“With the management of Wallaby players of national interest, Bell, Leota and Tupou rotate out this week,” McKellar said.

“Bell and Leota have had heavy workloads, but that provides more opportunity for Isaac Kailea, Tom Lambert, Leafi Talataina, Dan Botha and Siosifa Amone.

“From my end, this doesn’t weaken our team at all. It provides opportunity, excitement and real enthusiasm … and I know those boys will provide it.”

McKellar also pointed to the growing depth within the squad, a silver lining to the season’s injuries and player rotations that are required.

“Through injuries and other selection shifts, you expose other players and – as we have already found this season – you find that they are ready to play at this level, and that strengthens the depth of the group,” McKellar said.

Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou have been rested from the Waratahs’ trip to Fiji. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Drua, who have just one win in 2025 and are in desperate need to make a response after a series of near-misses, have made wholesale changes to the side.

Isikeli Rabitu starts at fullback in place of Caleb Muntz.

DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Mesulame Dolokoto (co-c), Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi (co-c), Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Leone Nawai, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou

WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Charlie Gamble, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Replacements: Julian Heaven, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Miles Amatosero, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O’Donnell

Referee: Paul Williams

Moana Pasifika vs Brumbies, 2:35pm

Moana Pasifika have lost one Savea, but welcomed back another for the first time in 2025.

Indeed, Ardie Savea has been rested for their clash against the Brumbies, but Julian Savea is back and been named at inside centre.

Tana Umaga has also returned Patrick Pellegrini to the No.10 jersey, with Jackson Garden-Bachop to come off the bench. Tevita Ofa replaces William Havili at fullback.

Julian Savea will make his first appearance of the year against the Brumbies, but Moana Pasifika have lost Ardie Savea for the match. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has tweaked his forward pack, while Ollie Sapsford replaces the concussed Len Ikitau.

Ikitau was forced off in the third minute during his side’s come-from-behind win over the Reds in Brisbane last weekend, but his replacement Ollie Sapsford was a standout.

Up front, Rhys van Nek and Lachlan Lonergan start ahead of James Slipper and Billy Pollard.

“We are rotating our forward pack due to a couple of injuries from last weekend’s game against the Reds, which was extremely physical. We are expecting another physical test against Moana this weekend,” Larkham said.

MOANA PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafile’o, Tom Savage, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Fine Inisi, Tevita Ofa

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Monu Moli, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Ola Tauelangi, Melani Matavaom Jackson Garden-Bachop, Danny Toala

BRUMBIES (1-15): Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton

Referee: Angus Mabey

Chiefs vs Highlanders, 5:05pm:

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has moved Damian McKenzie back to fly-half for Saturday’s clash against the Highlanders.

McKenzie struggled at fullback during the Chiefs’ surprise loss to the Waratahs in Sydney.

His move to the No.10 jersey sees Shaun Stevenson return to fullback, with Emoni Nawara returning to the starting side.

Damian McKenzie has shifted back to fly-half for the Chiefs’ home clash against the Highlanders. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Naitoa Ah Kui wins a recall to the second-row, while Brodie McAlister forms a new-look front-row with Aidan Ross coming back into the side too.

Perhaps the biggest addition is that of Anton Lienert-Brown, with the veteran centre coming back onto the bench after missing the past month.

The Highlanders have named a similar side after beating the Drua last weekend at home.

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Nawara, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Profit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Sosefo Kautai, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Taniela Filimone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Te Kamaka Howden, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe

Referee: Angus Gardner

Western Force vs Hurricanes, 7:35pm

Bayley Kuenzle will make his first appearance for the Force this year after being named on the wing for Saturday’s crucial clash against the Hurricanes.

The 26-year-old was injured in club rugby following last year’s Super Rugby season and has missed the past nine months after undergoing surgery on his knee.

His return is the only change to Simon Cron’s side from the one that beat the Highlanders a fortnight ago.

It’s a familiar bench, with rising halfback Henry Robertson the only change.

All Blacks back Billy Proctor is back for the Hurricanes. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes need a response after a couple of defeats to their New Zealand rivals and Clark Laidlaw has reacted by shifting Ruben Love to fly-half, which sees Callum Harkin start at fullback.

The Hurricanes have named a powerful front-row with Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax included. Brad Shields starts in the back-row alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai.

All Blacks centre Billy Proctor returns via the bench.

FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (vc), Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Reed Prinsep (vc), Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, George Poolman

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilo Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor

Referee: Damon Murphy