Wallabies captain Harry Wilson returns to action as the Reds host the Hurricanes on Friday night while the Queenslanders are giving a debut to Junior Wallabies star Trevor King.

Meanwhile, Taniela Tupou has been recalled for a starting role against the Force – who welcome back Test winger Dylan Pietsch.

See all the news as it unfolds below.

(All times AEST)

Friday

Crusaders vs Highlanders, 5.05pm

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Kershawl Skyes-Martih, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Taniela Filimone, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Referee: Todd Petrie

Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Jackson Henshaw

TMO: Richard Kelly

Reds vs Hurricanes, 7.35pm

Les Kiss has welcomed back a couple of Wallabies, including incumbent Test captain Harry Wilson, for Friday night’s huge clash with the Hurricanes.

After going down 24-14 to the Brumbies last weekend, the fourth-placed Reds head into the clash just two points ahead of the fast-finishing Hurricanes and the clash will more than likely settle who finishes in fourth spot.

It’s why Wilson’s return comes not a second too late, especially with the Reds battling a huge injury toll, including internationals Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Liam Wright and Josh Flook. Young gun Massimo De Lutiis will also miss the rest of the Super Rugby season with a wrist injury.

Kiss, however, has still named a side with plenty of quality, which includes the return of Tom Lynagh at fly-half.

Dre Pakeho also comes into the midfield to partner Hunter Paisami, which sees Filipo Daugunu shift to the wing.

But it’s Wilson’s return for the first time since April which headlines the Reds’ team.

“It’s exciting to be back and ready to get into it again,” Wilson said. “For the Reds and ‘Canes, there is a lot to play for on Friday night because top four is where you want to be entering finals. 

“The ‘Canes have one of the best-performing backrows in the comp. That’s something we have always prided ourselves on at the Reds as well.

“Even with guys out at various times, one of our strengths this season has been the next guy up not just playing but performing. Guys like Joe Brial and the other ‘JB’, John Bryant, have stepped up and will have important roles for the backrow on Friday night.” 

On the bench, Australian Under-20s prop Trevor King, 20, has been selected for a potential Queensland Reds debut. 

The Gladstone product attended Downlands College and has been a member of the Australian U20s for three years. 

Kiss said King had impressed during his time with the squad. “Trevor is so coachable. I know he has grown a lot from his day-to-day interactions in the squad with Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Alex Hodgman, Matt Gibbon and Sef Fa’agase, which is a great education for a young prop,” Kiss said. 

“Trevor is a physical young guy who is only recently back from the Australian U20s’ undefeated run in South Africa. He’s been playing for his club Souths in the Hospital Cup for several seasons, so that experience counts as well.”

The Hurricanes have lost No. 8 Brayden Iose for the rest of Super Rugby Pacific with a lower leg injury. They do welcome back loose forward Devan Flanders, who has been named on the Hurricanes’ bench for his first appearance of 2025

Waikato winger Daniel Sinkinson comes into an injury-hit starting lineup and he’s one of five changes to the starting lineup after their win over the Highlanders.

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Dre Paheko, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Trevor King, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallgher, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Daniel Sinkinson, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Bailyn Sullivan

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter

TMO: Brett Cronan

Saturday

Chiefs vs Moana Pasifika, 5.05pm

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has named the same 23 from the win over Crusaders last time out – the first time he’s gone unchanged since the 2023 final.

There is one positional change – All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho will start with Brodie McAlister moving to the bench.

William Havili misses out for the finals chasing Moana Pasifika due to a knee injury. Solomon Alaimalo comes into a revamped back three.

Tevita Ofa shifts to fullback and Alaimalo will play on the left wing with last week’s hat-trick hero Kyren Taumoefolau on the right.

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling

PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Tevita Ofa

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Jackson Garden-Bachop

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Richard Kelly

Force vs Waratahs, 7.35pm

Taniela Tupou will start against the Western Force as the Waratahs look to somehow stay alive in the Super Rugby competition.

Needing to win their final two matches to have any hope of making the top six, Dan McKellar has thrust his big-name tight-head prop back into the fray after a couple of much-improved performances off the bench.

Tupou is one of several changes for the Waratahs, with versatile forward Hugh Sinclair replacing the injured Rob Leota at blindside flanker.

The backline has been overhauled, with Lawson Creighton coming back into the squad at fullback after missing the past two matches.

His return sees Andrew Kellaway shift to the wing and Darby Lancaster drop to the bench, while Lakaia Foketi replaces Henry O’Donnell who has been left out.

McKellar praised Tupou’s recent form, citing signals of his explosive best. “His last two weeks have produced good signs, both at set-piece and with his movement and speed,” McKellar said. “We’re starting to see signs of the old ‘Nela, which is really encouraging.”

The Waratahs were torn to shreds last weekend following their dreadful first-half showing against the Crusaders, where the men in blue let in five first-half tries to trail 31-7 at the break.

But McKellar said he was confident the group had learned from that outing and will respond. 

“We were disappointed with our first forty minutes against the Crusaders last week,” he said. “We have got to be better. It is as simple as that.” They will come up against a Force side looking to snap a four-match losing streak and have welcomed back several Wallabies.

Force coach Simon Cron sprung a surprise by leaving several players at home for the defeat in Fiji despite the must-win nature of the match.

The former Junior Wallabies coach said his hand was forced because of the high minutes they had played and the long, taxing nature of their travel schedule.

It meant they went to Lautoka without Nic White, Hamish Stewart and Harry Potter and, ultimately, paid the price.
All three have returned, while injured loose forwards Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny, as well as Test winger Dylan Pietsch, have also returned.

Fatongia Paea starts at loose-head prop alongside Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson.

The second-row pairing remains the same, while Will Harris forms the back-row trio alongside Tizzano and Champion de Crespigny.

White and Ben Donaldson are the halves, while Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle form the midfield.

Pietsch and Potter join Mac Grealy at fullback, with Kurtley Beale dropping to the bench.

FORCE (1-15): Fatongia Paea, 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, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Reed Prinsep, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Kurtley Beale

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Lawson Creighton

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper

TMO: Brett Cronan