After back to back losses, the Brumbies will be without three Wallabies for their regular season finale against the Rebels on Friday.
And the Blues welcome their skipper back from suspension to host the Highlanders.
Keep checking in for all the latest round 15 Super Rugby Pacific team news.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Highlanders steal dramatic victory at the death
BLUES vs HIGHLANDERS in Auckland, Friday 5.05pm AEST
The Blues have regained the services of captain Dalton Papalii for the opening game of round 15 against the Highlanders.
Papalii was initially handed a three game ban for his high shot on Richie Mo’unga but had it reduced to two weeks after impressing World Rugby with a ‘coaching intervention.’
Beauden Barrett remains sidelined with a foot injury while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains surplus to requirements.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, have opted for Scott Gregory ahead of Jonah Lowe on the right wing.
It is likely a must win game for the eighth placed Highlanders, who have the Force, Drua and Rebels snapping at their heels for the last finals spot.
BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tuungafasi
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Rob Rush, Akira Ioane, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam
HIGHLANDERS: Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Matt Whaanga, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Freddie Burns, Aaron Smith, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon (c), Shannon Frizell, Max Hicks, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Connor Garden-Bachop, Fetuli Paea.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
LIVE UPDATES: State of Origin 2023 Game I
READ MORE: Real reason Ryles snubbed ‘stubborn’ Dragons
READ MORE: Hawks still ‘in the gun’ despite ‘diabolical’ probe
Unstoppable force breaks through for Rebels
BRUMBIES vs REBELS in Canberra, Friday 7.35pm AEST
The slumping Brumbies will be without key trio Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper and Noah Lolesio for their important clash with the Rebels.
Captain Alaalatoa’s calf injury could also sideline him for the finals while Slipper is on leave after welcoming his first child and Lolesio is out with concussion.
Fred Kaihea and Sefo Kautai will instead start at prop while Jack Debreczeni is a capable replacement at five-eighth.
A positive for coach Stephen Larkham is the return of Wallabies duo Nic White and Cadeyrn Neville as the fourth placed Brumbies try to seal a home quarter-final.
Meanwhile, the Rebels have named Nick Jooste to start in the centres alongside Reece Hodge, who is set to play his 100th game for the club.
“He’s such a great player and the ultimate professional and someone we call Mr Rebel,” Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese said.
“We really want to go out there and put in a performance to make him proud and celebrate a legend of our club.”
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford, Corey Toole, Jack Debreczeni, Nic White (c), Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Tom Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Sefo Kautai, Connal McInerney, Fred Kaihea
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Pete Samu, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Tamati Tua, Jesse Mogg
REBELS (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Lachie Anderson, Reece Hodge, Nick Jooste, Monty Ioane, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Richard Hardwick, Brad Wilkin (c), Josh Kemeny, Matt Philip, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa’amausili, Trevor Hosea, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Stacey Ili, Joe Pincus
Referee: Angus Gardner
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack the drama of the Super Rugby Pacific finals race and some thrilling fixtures in the northern hemisphere
FIJIAN DRUA vs REDS in Suva, Saturday 2.35pm AEST
DRUA (TBC)
REDS (TBC)
Referee: Paul Williams
Blues fumble opens the door for Hurricanes
HURRICANES vs CRUSADERS in Wellington, Saturday 5.05pm AEST
HURRICANES (TBC)
CRUSADERS (TBC)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Waratahs pounce on depleted Crusaders
WARATAHS vs MOANA PASIFIKA in Sydney, Saturday 7.35pm
WARATAHS (TBC)
MOANA (TBC)
Referee: Graham Cooper
Superb intercept nets Force freak try
FORCE vs CHIEFS in Perth, Saturday 10pm AEST
FORCE (TBC)
CHIEFS (TBC)
Western Force v Chiefs @ HBF Park, Perth (20:00)
Referee: Nic Berry
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
