In their best start in over a decade the Waratahs remain the only unbeaten team through the opening four weeks, but can they stay that way?
In a huge round of action that includes two Kiwi derbies, it’s the Reds and Waratahs who close out the fixtures with a huge clash in Brisbane.
Meanwhile the injury ward keeps growing, read on for all lineups, tips and injury updates.
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Friday, March 14
Highlanders vs. Hurricanes
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 5:05pm (AEDT)
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jake Te Hiwi
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter-Umaga Jensen, Kini Naholo, Harry Godfrey, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brad Shields, Zach Gallanger, Caleb Delany, Tevita Mafileo, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Hohepa, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Officials: Angus Mabey; Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The Highlanders are proving this year’s surprise packets after a 2-1 start to the season. The Hurricanes have just the one win so far, but are boosted by the return of Cam Roigard and Du’Plessis Kirif to the starting lineup this week, while Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax will provide plenty of punch of the bench in their first games of the season. Could the Highlanders be a little rusty after the bye? Hurricanes by 3.
Top Fantasy pick: This is a bold play, but don’t sleep on Asafo Aumua off the bench. The hooker will get at least 25 minutes off the bench, and that is more than enough time for him to make some Fantasy inroads.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders $1.70, -2.5 $1.95; Hurricanes $2.10, +2.5 $1.85
Brumbies vs. Fijian Drua
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan; Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Drua: Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani; Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Meli Derenlagi,Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Samuela Tawake, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Livai Natave, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu
Officials: Jordan Way; Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan; TMO: James Leckie
Prediction: The Brumbies produced one of the finest victories in their history away to the Blues last week, and are this week boosted by the return of Noah Lolesio. The Drua were also impressive at home to the previously unbeaten Chiefs, and have shown they can mix it with anyone this year. Can the visitors flip the script on their Round 1 defeat in Suva? We’re not so sure. Brumbies by 12.
Top Fantasy pick: If the Brumbies get their maul going, it will be Billy Pollard who benefits.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Brumbies $1.20, -11.5 $1.85; Drua $4.20, +11.5 $1.95
Saturday, March 15
Crusaders vs. Western Force
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch 2:35pm (AEDT)
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (c), Macca Springer, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Corey Kellow, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Levi Aumua
Force: Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Sio Tomkinson, Reesjan Pasitoa, George Poolman, Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa; Reed Prinsep, Kane Koteka, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marley Pearce. Replacements: Nic Dolly, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Sam Carter, Josh Thompson, Henry Robertson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu.
Officials: Damon Murphy; Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, George Myers TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The Crusaders started to look like Crusaders of old last week, blowing away the Reds with a blistering first half in Christchurch. Will Jordan was central to that, and he again looks poised to wreak some havoc this weekend. The Force let themselves down with their discipline in Sydney in Round 4; do that again here and it will be a long afternoon. They also have an all-new halves pairing and are without star flanker Carlo Tizzano. Crusaders by 21.
​Top Fantasy pick: You just can’t go past Will Jordan, he will run amok here.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders $1.04, -20.5 $1.90; Force $9, +20.5 $1.90
Chiefs vs. Blues
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe; Luke Jacobson, Jahrome Brown, Simon Park, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAllister, Ollie Norris. Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona
Blues: Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Xavier Taele, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Sam Nock; Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Cam Christie, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay. Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Tristyn Cook, Che Clark, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Corey Evans
Officials: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: The defending champions are already in a massive hole and now face this tricky roadtrip to confront their north island neighbours, without Beauden Barrett to boot. The Chiefs get Damian McKenzie back having spared their star playmaker from a trip to Fiji. He’ll be fresh, while the hosts also have a bench jam-packed with firepower. Expect the Chiefs to pull away in the final quarter. Chiefs by 14.
​Top Fantasy pick: Damian McKenzie might not be as dominant in this Kiwi clash, instead he could well prove provider for Emoni Narawa.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs $1.40, -6.5 $1.85; Blues $2.90, +6.5 $1.95
QLD Reds vs. NSW Waratahs
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Reds: Heremaia Murray, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase. Replacements: Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
Waratahs: Andrew Kellaway, Triston Reilly, Henry O’Donnell, Joey Walton, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Teddy Wilson; Leafi Talataina, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair, Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed.
Officials: James Doleman; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The oldest rivalry in Australia seldom fails to deliver, though it is the Queenslanders who boast recent bragging rights. The Reds also welcome back Hunter Paisami and Tom Lynagh from suspension and injury respectively, while Seru Uru slots back in at No. 6. The Waratahs have lost skipper Jake Gordon and shifted Langi Gleeson to the bench, with Teddy Wilson and Leafi Talataina coming in at scrum-half and No. 8 respectively. This is easily the Waratahs’ toughest test of 2025, but is a fourth straight win too much of a stretch? Reds by 5.
​Top Fantasy pick: Seru Uru is an all-energy back-rower that fits the mould for this contest.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds $1.50, -6.5 $1.90; Waratahs $2.55, +6.5 $1.90
Injury Ward
Brumbies
Rob Valetini (hamstring / TBC), Ben O’Donnell (hamstring/ TBC), Tevita Alatini (ACL / TBC), Harry Vella (ACL / TBC), Tuaina Taii Tualima (illness, TBC), Noah Lolesio
Blues
Sam Darry (shoulder, season), PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee).
Chiefs
Rameka Poihipi (knee, Season), Kaleb Trask (Hamstring, 4-6 weeks), Etene Nanai-Seturo, (Hamstring, long term) Liam Coombes-Fabling (knee, 4-6 weeks), Fiti Sa (shoulder, long term) Wallace Sititi (knee, long- term), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (shoulder, short term)
Crusaders
George Bell (toe/foot / TBC), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (knee / 5-6 weeks), Finlay Brewis (shoulder / season), Fletcher Anderson (heel / 2-3 weeks), Rivez Reihana (ankle / 2-3 weeks), Seb Calder (AC joint / 3-5 weeks), Quentin Strange (Pec/hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Dom Gardiner (hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Jamie Hannah (shoulder / 4-6 weeks), Aki Tuivailala (finger / 4-6 weeks), Johnny McNicholl (hamstring / 4-6 weeks), Noah Hotham (ankle/ TBC), Cullen Grace (hamstring)
Fijian Drua
Etonia Waqa (Knee, short term), Epeli Momo (Knee, long term), Vilive Miramira (ankle, short term)
Highlanders
Oliver Haig (foot / 7 weeks ), Jonah Lowe (ACL / 4 weeks ), Jona Nareki (ankle / 2 weeks), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (neck / 7 weeks),
Hurricanes
Zach Gallagher (Achilles / TBC), Daniel Sinkinson (hamstring / round 8), Lucas Cashmore (knee / round 7), Brett Cameron (knee / season), Asafo Aumua (foot / TBC), Tyrel Lomax (ankle / round 5), Devan Flanders (ankle / round 14), Tjay Clarke (Shoulder/ round 9), Riley Higgins (Hand / round 7), Billy Proctor (Achilles / TBC)
Moana Pasifika
Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), Fine Inisi (quad), Julian Savea (knee), Lotu Inisi (hamstring), Neria Fomai (knee /out for season), Ofa Tauatevalu (lower leg), Semisi Paea (ankle), Sione Havili Talitui (ankle).
NSW Waratahs
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot), Lucas Ripley (shoulder), Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii (toe, Round 6), Joey Walton (groin, TBC)
Western Force
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee, season), Bayley Kuenzle (knee), Harry Hoopert (knee, season), Kane Koteka (ribs), Divad Palu (shoulder), Matt Proctor (shoulder), Henry Robertson (ribs), Papillon Sevele (knee), Tiaan Tauakipulu (ribs),
Queensland Reds
Jock Campbell, Matt Gibbon, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Flook
Suspensions
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Round 5)
Blues: Hoskins Sotutu (Round 6)
All odds correct at time of publication.
