How they line up for double derby weekend

Round five of Super Rugby Pacific brings us our first weekend of double Kiwi derby action.

Both those clashes come on Saturday, when the Chiefs host the Highlanders in Hamilton, before the struggling Crusaders try to find their first win of the season when taking on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.

There are plenty of interesting ins, and outs, across the New Zealand-based sides. Here’s how they line up.

Tomorrow, 7.05pm at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

The Hurricanes team to play the Melbourne Rebels in Palmerston North is almost unrecognisable from the one that beat the Crusaders.

After winning each of their first four matches, coach Clark Laidlaw has opted to rest a host of front-line players for the drive up State Highway 1, with 13 personnel changes to his starting 15 alone.

Prop Tyrel Lomax and loose forward Devan Flanders are the only two starters retained from their hard-fought win over the defending champions, while captain Brad Shields is finally over his foot injury and will make his first Super Rugby appearance since 2018.

Midfielder Jordie Barrett is another notable player returning, after missing the team’s last two matches due to suspension.

TJ Perenara has been handed his first start since his comeback from an Achilles injury, with the in-form Cam Roigard rotated out of the match-day squad entirely.

Hurricanes: Harry Godfrey, Dan Sinkinson, Ngane Punivai, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Aidan Morgan, TJ Perenara, Devan Flanders, Du’plessis Kirifi, Brad

Shields (capt), Caleb Delany, Justin Sangster, Tyrel Lomax, James O’reilly, Pouri Rakete-stones. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Josh Moorby.

Tomorrow, 9.35pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra

Julian Savea has joined Moana Pasifika’s bulging casualty ward, with the former All Blacks winger, now playing second-five, having sustained an injury in last weekend’s win over the Force in Perth.

And with centre Henry Taefu suffering the same fate, there is a new midfield pairing in Pepesana Patafilo and D’angelo Leuila for the team’s trip to the Australian capital.

Moana Pasifika: Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Pepesana Patafilo, D’angelo Leuila, Kyren Taumoefolau, Christian Lealifano, Ere Enari, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui (capt), Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Ola Tauelangi, Sione Mafileo, Samiuela Moli, Abraham

Pole. Reserves: Tomasi Maka, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Fine Inisi.

Saturday, 4.35pm at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa makes his return to rugby after a six-month injury layoff (back) which saw him scratched from last year’s World Cup on the eve of the tournament.

He is named on the bench, with regular midfielder Daniel Rona retained in the No 14 jersey following a strong display in the win over the Fijian Drua.

Clayton Mcmillan has opted to give Samisoni Taukei’aho a rest week, while Anton Lienert-brown is unavailable following the concussion sustained last

Saturday against the Drua.

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-seturo, Damian Mckenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (capt), Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i,

Josh Lord, Reuben O’neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Emoni Narawa.

Rhys Patchell is back in the driver’s seat for the Highlanders, after the resting of the Welshman last week coincided with a home loss to the Brumbies, where Cam Millar was unable to assert himself in the No 10 jersey.

That is one of two changes to the backline, with the other seeing Jona Nareki return to replace Martin Bogado on the left wing.

Up front, Clarke Dermody’s side will be without their only incumbent All Black, with Ethan de Groot undergoing HIA protocols following his concussion last week. That sees Ayden Johnstone start at loosehead, with Daniel Lienert-brown on to the bench.

Highlanders: Jacob RatumaitavukiKneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Tom Sanders,

Billy Harmon (capt), Sean Withy, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-bachop.

Saturday, 7.05pm at Eden Park, Auckland

The Blues have received a giant-sized boost to their side in the form of captain Patrick Tuipulotu’s return from injury.

Having missed the Blues’ first four games after dislocating his jaw during a preseason match in Japan, Tuipulotu will make his 100th appearance for the Aucklandbased franchise when he runs out at Eden Park.

Tuipulotu’s return coincides with the loss of another big name, with centre Rieko Ioane ruled out after taking a knock to the head early in last week's narrow win over the Waratahs in Sydney.

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, AJ

Lam, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane, Laghlan Mcwhannell, Patrick Tuipuloto (capt),

Angus Ta'avao, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: Kurt Eklund,

Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Josh

Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.

Rob Penney saw enough from pivot Riley Hohepa last week to give him another crack in the No 10 jersey.

The Crusaders coach has made just one injury-forced change to the starting side that ran out in last week’s narrow defeat to the Hurricanes, with lock Zach Gallagher (concussion) replaced by Jamie Hannah.

Otherwise, as the depleted Crusaders seek their first victory of the season, there are minimal changes – most notably Joe Moody is back from Covid, Noah Hotham has replaced Mitchell Drummond on the bench, and Seb Calder has replaced the suspended Owen Franks.

Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece,

Levi Aumua, David Havili (capt), Macca Springer, Riley Hohepa, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Jamie Hannah, Quinten Strange, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Joe Moody, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Ryan Crotty, Dallas Mcleod.