Codie Taylor and Ruben Love are the big names returning for the Crusaders and Hurricanes, with both rushed straight back into the starting sides. The Canes travel north to take on Ardie Savea's Moana Pasifika in probably the most interesting game of the round, with both coming off close losses last weekend.
Meanwhile, Vern Cotter has given the Blues number 10 jersey to Beauden Barrett, with Harry Plummer dropping to the bench. Cole Forbes gets the start at fullback for Friday night's game against the Brumbies.
Other selection talking points:
The Chiefs have brought Shaun Stevenson onto their bench with the fullback returning from his Japanese stint. Emoni Narawa wears the 15 jersey with Damian McKenzie out with the knee injury he suffered last weekend.
Patrick Pelligreni is rewarded for a really good shift off the bench last weekend for Moana Pasifika, he starts at first five, with Lamilo Lamilo returning from injury at centre.
Cam Roigard gets a rest and is rotated with Eri Enare at halfback for the Canes, Enare gets his first start against his old team. Jone Rova and Nic Souchon will debut off the bench.
Dallas McLeod comes into the Crusaders starting lineup for the first time this season, replacing Levi Aumua at centre.
Super Rugby Pacific standings round 3 Photo: supplied
Team lists
Blues v Brumbies
Kick-off: 7:35pm Friday 7 March
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Cam Christie, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Cameron Suafoa; 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Cole Forbes
Bench: 16. Nathaniel Pole, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Tristyn Cook, 20. Che Clark, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Corey Evans
Fijian Drua v Chiefs
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 8 March
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs during the Super Rugby Pacific round 5 match between the Chiefs and Highlanders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Tupou Vaa'i (captain), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Jimmy Tupou, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Daniel Rona, 15. Emoni Narawa
Bench: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Malachi Wrampling, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Shaun Stevenson
Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 9 March
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Ruben Love of the Hurricanes is tackled by Laghlan McWhannell of the Blues. Photo: Hagen Hopkins
Moana: 1. James Lay, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa; 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Aisea Halo, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Tevita Ofa
Hurricanes: 1. Siale Lauaki, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Harry Godfrey, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Nic Souchon, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Jone Rova
Crusaders v Reds
Kick-off: 3:35pm Sunday 9 March
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Codie Taylor. Photo: Joseph Johnson/ActionPress
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Kyle Preston, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Levi Aumua
Also this weekend:
Waratahs v Force
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 8 March
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Highlanders - bye
