Dan McKellar has made six changes for the clash against the Reds including a return to the Waratahs’ starting lineup for Tane Edmed, and comebacks for Dave Porecki and Fergus Lee-Warner. Filipo Daugunu returns for Les Kiss’ team while Hunter Paisami is missing through injury.

See the latest team news as it’s released below.

(All times are AEST)

Friday

Fijian Drua vs Blues, 5.05pm

The Blues have named a largely unchanged side to play the Fijian Drua in Suva.

Head coach Vern Cotter has made just two changes to the starting XV that delivered a convincing win over the Western Force in Round 12.

Corey Evans earns a start at fullback, while AJ Lam runs out on the left wing after a late change saw him come off the bench last week.

Stephen Perofeta drops out of the match day 23 through injury, with Zarn Sullivan returning to the reserves alongside Harry Plummer and Finlay Christie.

Vern Cotter said his side is looking to continue their momentum in what will be a tough test against the Drua.

“We were much more consistent throughout the game against Force, and this is another important step for us,” said Cotter.

“The Drua are a dangerous side and play with flair. They will be confident in front of their home fans, so we need to bring high intensity from the start and feed off the energy.”

Injury has forced Drua flanker Etonia Waqa out this week, meaning Josefa Tamani gets a start and youngster Sailosi Vukalokalo is in line for a Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge (c), Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ponipate Loganimasi

Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Corey Evans

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Zarn Sullivan

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Matt Kellahan

TMO: Damon Murphy

Waratahs vs Reds, 7.35pm

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has made six changes to the starting 15 to face the Reds.

Tane Edmed makes a rare start in 2025 for the hosts who are boosted by the returns of Wallabies hooker David Porecki and powerhouse lock Fergus Lee-Warner from injury. McKellar has left Lawson Creighton, the former Reds playmaker preferred to Edmed in recent weeks, out of the 23.

“It’s great to have ‘Porks’ back … a leader in our group, outstanding set piece, top three or four in the world for his line out throwing and his physicality,” McKellar said of Porecki.

“When he’s at his best, he plays nice and physical. And again, he just has a strong presence within the group, provides others with a little bit of comfort.”

Porecki had been sidelined with a calf injury and returns at a crucial time in the NSW Waratahs’ campaign that has seen all their five wins at home.

Lee-Warner, who suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s pre-season trial in Japan against Kubota Spears in November, has also been named to start.

His selection is a reward for his dedication to his rehabilitation and conditioning and his work behind the scenes in helping the team prepare every week.

“’Big Ferg,’ you’d not find a better team man than Fergus Lee-Warner,” McKellar said.

“Most players when they’re in rehab, long term rehab, isolate themselves from the group. He’s been completely the opposite,” McKellar said.

“He’s done so much work in the background around line-out, attack, on our defence, just really pleased that he gets to contribute to this season.

“He got 40 minutes out with Easts [in the Shute Shield] last week, which was good,” McKellar said.

“I don’t expect him to be perfect on Friday night, but he’ll be full of effort and fight, and that’s what we want and expect from each other.

“So yeah … it is a reward for all those off field actions. I look at that as closely as the on-field actions … how players carry themselves under adversity. He’s been first class.”

Tane Edmed’s elevation from the bench to No. 10 jersey and Jack Bowen’s return to the bench along with Darby Lancaster after a five-try performance for Easts in the Shute Shield last weekend sees Creighton miss selection.

And Henry O’Donnell’s promotion from the bench to No. 13 means that there is no room on the 5-3 bench for Lalakai Foketi who will sit out the game.

Hooker Ethan Dobbins who started against the ACT Brumbies last week will also not play with Porecki’s return and Mahe Vailanu keeping his bench spot.

The return of Wallaby Filipo Daugunu in the centres is a timely boost for the Reds and he will be hoping to add to his impressive form, having scored six tries this season.

Filipo Daugunu. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Dre Pakeho will be partnered in the centres by Daugunu with Wallaby Hunter Paisami needing more time to overcome a badly corked leg.

Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf.

In the pack, John Bryant will start at No.8 with Joe Brial’s versatility across the backrow being utilised for impact from the bench.

On the bench, Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser returns for his fourth game of the season.

“It’s great to have Filipo back for the challenge in Sydney. We have huge respect for NSW and their five-from-five record on home turf this season,” Kiss said.

“Filipo has consistently been one of our best this season and he’s ready to fire. He travelled with the team to Fiji last week to finalise his preparation into this week.

“John Bryant has been patient all year and has worked hard on his game throughout. He has played for the Reds Development team and his club Souths, as well as his matches for the Reds, so he is ready to go.

“It’s fantastic to see Josh Nasser back. His experience will be good for us, coming off the bench alongside other senior forwards.”

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Felix Kalapu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday

Crusaders vs Chiefs, 5.05pm

Damian McKenzie has returned for the Chiefs at No.10 after a hand injury kept him out of the past two games, in a top-of-the-table clash with the Crusaders.

The Chiefs are further boosted by the return of All Blacks sensation Wallace Sititi for his first start of the season after two games back from the bench. He will play at No.8 with Luke Jacobson moving to No.7.

There are a further three changes to the Chiefs’ pack, with hooker Brodie McAlister replacing Bradley Slater, and lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi and loose forward Simon Parker promoted to start, with Josh Lord and Samipeni Finau going back to the bench.

He will match up against Rivez Reihana, who gets the Crusaders’ No.10 jersey against his former team, ahead of Wallaby wannabe James O’Connor.

Reihana will get first crack in the Crusaders’ No.10 jersey following Taha Kemara’s season-ending knee injury.

Braydon Ennor returns for the Crusaders after a hamstring injury but flanker Ethan Blackadder is still missing with his own hamstring injury.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Jackson Henshaw, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Glenn Newman

Force vs Brumbies, 7.35pm

Will Harris has replaced Reed Prinsep in the XV in the only change to the Force starting line-up for Saturday’s game.

There is a handful of changes on the bench with front-rower Tiaan Tauakipulu, hooker Tom Horton, lock Lopeti Faifua and midfielder Sio Tomkinson added.

Saturday’s game will celebrating the Force’s 20th season against their first-ever opponent from Round 1, 2006.

Approximately 50 past players will be paraded pre-game and form a guard of honour for the two teams as they run on as part of the celebrations.

The Force front row is unchanged for the game with Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson retained. Captain Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain continue their locks combination, with the latter taking on his former side for the first time in Perth.

Harris returns to the starting side at blindside flanker, with Nick Champion de Crespigny shuffling into number 8, with Super Rugby Pacific leading try scorer Carlo Tizzano at openside flanker.

Henry Robertson holds his starting spot at scrum-half for the third straight game, working alongside fly-half Ben Donaldson.

Hamish Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle will play in the centres, with Mac Grealy and Harry Potter on the wings and Kurtley Beale – fresh from his try-scoring return game – starting again at fullback.

The Brumbies have made two changes to the starting XV.

Hooker Lachlan Lonergan and second row Lachie Shaw come into the lineup, for their first starts since Round 10 and Round 7 respectively. Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek and Harrison Goddard are on the bench, while Billy Pollard is rested.

With Shaw taking his place in the second row, Wallaby Tom Hooper shifts to No.8. The backline remains unchanged, while Ollie Sapsford will win his 50th cap if he takes his place on the field.

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale

Replacements: Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Max Burey, Sio Tomkinson

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Jordan Kaminski

TMO: Graham Cooper