The two remaining Australian Super Rugby teams in the 2025 competition have delivered good news to fans ahead of the qualifying finals.
The Reds have cleared Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson after he was replaced with an arm injury last week, while powerful Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared for takeoff.
See all the team news as it unfolds, below. (All times are AEST).
Friday
Crusaders vs Reds, 5.05pm
Australian rugby sides are 0-19 against New Zealand opposition in finals across the ditch, but the Reds have been given a pre-match boost with Harry Wilson cleared to play.
The incumbent Wallabies skipper was in doubt for the match after copping a hit to his arm during the Reds’ big win over the Drua last Saturday.
But the back-rower was cleared earlier in the week of any structural damage and got through training well on Tuesday and has been named in an unchanged forward pack to take on the Crusaders.
“It’s really pleasing news for us but, more importantly, for Harry. He’s come through the early part of the week well,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“He’s a true competitor when it comes to battles against the New Zealand sides and their top backrows.”
Harry Wilson has been named at No.8 for the Reds in their do-or-die qualifying final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
The news wasn’t as good for Seru Uru, who remains sidelined after injuring his MCL against the Waratahs a month ago.
Elsewhere, the Reds have made just one change to their backline, with Wallaby Filipo Daugunu starting ahead of Tim Ryan on the wing.
Ryan has been named on the bench despite tweaking his ankle last week. He joins Dre Pakeho on the bench, which is missing Harry McLaughin-Phillips because of a concussion.
“We have had continuity in the pack over the past few weeks and our front-row has been setting a great platform,” Kiss said. “We have been rotating a bit in the backs. Filipo comes in and Tim will certainly add his skills as a finisher.”
Despite being heavy underdogs, Kiss said his side would head across the ditch with some confidence, especially after snapping their two-decade drought in Christchurch last year.
“The boys are really excited about finals footy,” Kiss said. “The focus has been there in our preparation as it needs to be to play a well-rounded and dangerous Crusaders side who are very difficult to beat at home.
“Winning in Christchurch last year was an important game for the club. It gives us clues and confidence to put our best foot forward on Friday. “In finals footy, playing to the 80th minute is very important. We’ve done that well over the past four weeks or so. “You also know that at the critical moments, you need the clarity to take them.”
Meanwhile, All Black Will Jordan is back for the first time since May 10 for the Crusaders. The star back suffered a medial ligament strain in a loss to the Chiefs.
All Blacks star Will Jordan will play his first match in a month after being named at fullback. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The hosts have a new-look starting midfield with David Havili at No.12 and Braydon Ennor at 13. There is a change up front as well with Fletcher Newell having recovered from an Achilles issue to start at tighthead prop, with Tamaiti Williams shifting to loosehead.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
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, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
Saturday
Chiefs vs Blues, 5.05pm
Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea has been ruled out of the clash against the Blues, while star forward Wallace Sititi has been moved to the bench.
All Black Tupaea suffered a gash near his eye during the match against Highlanders last week and required stitches.
With Anton Lienert-Brown also sidelined, Clayton McMillan has been forced to shift Gideon Wrampling to No.12, in one of eight changes to the starting lineup for the rested Chiefs.
McMillan has surprised many by putting Sititi on the bench and starting with Simon Parker at No.8.
In contrast, the Blues have the same 23 that destroyed the Waratahs last week to secure a finals place.
There’s a sole change in the starting lineup with Adrian Choat coming in and Anton Segner on the bench.
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referee: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
Brumbies vs Hurricanes, 7.35pm
The Brumbies have received a boost ahead of Saturday’s qualifying final against the Hurricanes, with skipper Allan Alaalatoa named to start against the dangerous Kiwi outfit.
The Brumbies skipper missed his side’s heart-breaking loss to the Crusaders as he continued his recovery from a calf injury suffered against the Reds.
But the Test tight-head prop has returned in the only change to Stephen Larkham’s side from the one that was edged late by the Crusaders. Feao Fotuaika drops back to the bench.
“He rehabbed really well, so back to full training last week before we got to the game against Crusaders and he’s had a good week so far this week. He ticked everything off in terms of all the rehab markers with his strength, running, contact and he’s ready to go,” Larkham said.
“I think he’s been outstanding with the scrum this year. We’ve certainly seen a lift in his game around that, but it’s the leadership that he brings to the team, both on and off the field. He’s very vocal and a great motivator of the boys.
“He’s an outstanding rugby player, he’s always been an outstanding rugby player, but the leadership qualities that he brings to the team, the confidence that he gives the other players, is certainly something that we’re going to benefit from this weekend.”
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa will make a timely return from a calf injury to face the Hurricanes. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Larkham has kept faith with the rest of his side with Rory Scott once again named in the No.7 jersey, with Luke Reimer to provide his on-ball threat in the second half.
Ollie Sapsford and Declan Meredith provide backline cover on the bench, while Lachlan Lonergan headlines the forward cover.
After going down 35-29 to the Hurricanes in late April, Larkham said his side were well aware of the threat coming from across the Tasman.
“They’re a physical side,” he said.
“The contests at the breakdown are very similar to Crusaders, they’re entering a lot of rucks. Defensively, they’re putting a lot of pressure at the breakdown. They bring a bit of line speed. They’ve got the leading poacher in the competition. They’re very good with the ball in hand. They’ve got dangerous threats around the ruck with their nine running, centres and wingers coming in, and then they’ve got the ability to shift the ball quite well.
“It’s not unlike anything we’ve seen. Obviously, we saw that when we played the Hurricanes here on the Anzac Day weekend. We’ve come across teams that play this way a few times this year. Hopefully that’s put us in a good position to play well this weekend.”
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have named a star-studded side as they return to Canberra.
While Ruben Love war wearing the No.10 jersey when the Hurricanes stormed over the top of the Brumbies in April, the rising All Blacks star will continue in the fullback role with Brett Cameron to pull the strings at fly-half.
All Blacks powerful hooker Asafo Aumua is also back in a big boost to the side’s tight-five.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c) Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan
