Official team lists and injury news for this week's round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Crusaders v Moana Pasifika
7:05pm Friday, April 7
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Hooker Codie Taylor will captain the Crusaders against Moana Pasifika on Friday at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium.
Taylor will lead the side in regular skipper Scott Barrett's absence, who is finally taking his All Blacks rest week.
With their locking stocks depleted, Quinten Strange makes a welcomed return, partnering Dom Gardiner in the second row.
Halfback Mitchell Drummond has replaced youngster Noah Hotham, who drops out of the match-day squad to make way for veteran Willi Heinz on the bench.
Drummond will partner Richie Mo'unga in halves, who will reach a special milestone of 100 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders.
Meanwhile, In-form winger Leicester Fainga'anuku has moved to centre to partner the returning Jack Goodhue in the midfield.
Crusaders: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Tamaiti Williams, 4-Quinten Strange, 5-Dom Gardiner, 6-Sione Talitui, 7-Corey Kellow, 8-Christian Lio-Willie, 9-Mitchell Drummond, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Macca Springer, 12-Jack Goodhue, 13-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 14-Will Gualter, 15-Fergus Burke
Reserves: 16-Brodie McAlister, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Seb Calder, 19-Jamie Hannah, 20-Tom Christie, 21-Willi Heinz, 22-David Havili, 23-Melani Nanai
Highlanders v Hurricanes
7:05pm Saturday, April 8
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
The Highlanders have named All Black Shannon Frizell in their starting side to host the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Frizell moves from the bench, while hooker Andrew Makalio has also been promoted to the run-on side.
Coach Clark Dermody has again opted for a six/two split on the bench, with Marino Mikaele-Tu'u expected to provide plenty of power.
But the Highlanders will have to upset the Hurricanes without the services of halfback Aaron Smith, who has returned to Fielding for family reasons.
Dermody expects a tough challenge from the Hurricanes, as the Highlanders chase their fourth straight win of the season.
"The Hurricanes are in form team who rightly sit near the top of the table, we are under no illusions how much of a challenge they will present," he said.
"It will be a great test of our game against a team of real quality, we are looking forward to the opportunity, particularly at home in front of our fans."
Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Billy Harmon, 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Moses Dawai, 15-Sam Gilbert
Reserves: 16-Leni Apisai, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Ma'u, 19-Max Hicks, 20-Sean Withy, 21-James Arscott, 22-Scott Gregory, 23-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
Hurricanes: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Cameron Roigaard, 10-Aidan Morgan, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Julian Savea, 16-Josh Moorby
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18-Owen Franks, 19-TK Howden, 20-Peter Lakai, 21-Jamie Booth, 22-Harry Godfrey, 23-Peter Umaga-Jensen
Melbourne Rebels v Blues
9:35pm Saturday, April 8
AAMI Park, Melbourne
The Blues will be without Stephen Perofeta and Hoskins Sotutu for their trip to Melbourne to take on the Rebels, but have welcomed the return of winger Mark Telea.
Telea assumes his position on the right wing, while Perofeta and Sotutu are rested as part of All Blacks protocol.
It sees Zarn Sullivan named at fullback, and Anton Segner switch to No.8, with Adrian Choat named alongside captain Dalton Papalii in an impressive back row.
Veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu has also been promoted from the bench to start in the second row to partner Sam Darry.
Meanwhile, replacement hooker Soane Vikena is in line for his first game of the season, while Caleb Tangitau could make his Blues debut from the bench.
Blues skipper Papalii says anything other than a win against the Rebels will be unacceptable.
"That's the standards we set, that's the standards we expect of ourselves, we're going to Melbourne to get the points," he said.
"I can't fault the boys for turning up and putting in the effort each week. If you look around, guys are doing those little extras at training and looking to improve their game.
"That's the sign of a team who are committed and willing to work hard for each other."
Blues: 1-Jordan Lay, 2-Ricky Riccitelli, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Adrian Choat, 7-Dalton Papalii ©, 8-Anton Segner, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Harry Plummer, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Soane Vikena, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-James Lay, 19-Cameron Suafoa, 20-Tom Robinson, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Corey Evans, 23-Caleb Tangitau
