Both the Crusaders and Chiefs will be focused on claiming top spot as they face the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika, respectively.
On Friday, the Queensland Reds will look to cement their top four position against the red-hot Hurricanes in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, finals have come early for the Western Force and NSW Waratahs in Perth, with the winning side keeping their post-season hopes alive.
The Brumbies, Blues and Moana Pasifika have a bye this weekend.
Crusaders v Highlanders
FRI 23 MAY: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (19:05)
In the front row, George Bower has been named at loosehead prop which sees Tamaiti Williams switch to tighthead in place of Kershawl Sykes-Martin, who is out with injury. Codie Taylor returns to start at hooker.
Scott Barrett and Jamie Hannah will pack down at lock, which Mitchell Drummond has been named to start at halfback in his 150th appearance.
On the bench, prop Lewis Ponini is in line to become Crusader No 300 should he be called upon, while Quinten Strange has also been named on the bench after starting last week.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Kershawl Skyes-Martih, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
Highlanders team to face the Crusaders
The Highlanders have made just one change to their starting XV this week, which comes on the left wing.
Taniela Filimone will get the start, replacing Jona Nareki in the No 11 jersey.
That comes with two further changes on the bench, as Tai Cribb and Will Stodart replace Oliver Haig and Michael Loft respectively.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Taniela Filimone, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Referee: Todd Petrie
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Richard Kelly
Queensland Reds v Hurricanes
FRI 23 MAY: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:35)
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Dre Paheko, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Trevor King, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan
The Hurricanes have made a handful of changes to their side this week, with a few forced by injury.
Lower leg injuries to Brayden Iose, Ngatungane Punivai and Riley Higgins have seen changes in the loose forwards, on the left wing and at second five-eighths.
Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to the starting line-up at openside flanker, with Peter Lakai shifting to No 8 in Iose’s absence, while Fatafehi Fineanganofo and Peter Umaga-Jensen wear the No 11 and 12 jerseys respectively. Iose will miss the remainder of the season.
Elsewhere, Tyrel Lomax returns at tighthead, which sees Pasilio Tosi move back to the bench, while Daniel Sinkinson starts on the right wing and Bailyn Sullivan also moves to the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallgher, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Daniel Sinkinson, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Bailyn Sullivan
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Brett Cronan
CHIEFS v Moana Pasifika
SAT 24 MAY: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (19:05)
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made just one change to the starting side that beat the Crusaders two weeks ago, with the Chiefs coming off the bye last week.
Samisoni Taukei’aho will start at hooker in an otherwise unchanged side, with Brodie McAlister moving back to the bench. It’s a direct swap, with no other movement in the matchday 23.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, 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: Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
Moana Pasifika team to face the Chiefs
A knee injury to fullback William Havili has triggered a rejigging of the backline. Tevita Ofa moves from the right wing to fullback, Kyren Taumoefolau moves from left wing to right, with Solomon Alaimalo coming in on the left.
Danny Toala is named at second five-eighths, which sees Julian Savea move to the bench.
They’re the only changes made from the side that beat the Blues in Albany last weekend, as Moana Pasifika now look to shore up their position in the top six.
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Jackson Garden-Bachop
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
Western Force v NSW Waratahs
SAT 24 MAY: HBF Park, Perth (17:35)
Wallabies pair Carlo Tizzano and Dylan Pietsch are both named to return following lay-offs with pectoral and quad injuries respectively, while all-action back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is back following one week out in head injury protocols.
Wallabies trio Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart and Nic White all return having been managed for the Round 14 loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
Ben Donaldson is back in the starting XV having come on as a reserve in Fiji, while Fatongia Paea comes into the team and is named to start at loosehead prop.
Paea’s addition sees him start alongside hooker Nic Dolly and tighthead prop Tom Robertson in the front row, with captain Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain starting in the locks. Tizzano and Champion de Crespigny return to the back row alongside Will Harris.
The backline additions mean Mac Grealy reverts to full-back with Kurtley Beale to impact as a finisher. Pietsch and Potter will start on the wings. White will play at scrum-half alongside Donaldson at fly-half, with Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle in the centres.
FORCE (1-15): Fatongia Paea, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Reed Prinsep, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Kurtley Beale
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Lawson Creighton
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper
TMO: Brett Cronan
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