The Super Rugby AU competition is reaching its halfway point and there are some cracking fixtures this weekend.
The Force host the Rebels on Friday night and then the competition heads to Canberra as the Brumbies attempt to keep their stranglehold over Queensland.
Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty will miss a reunion with his former Super Rugby team, ruled out with a knee injury, triggering a host of changes.
Reece Hodge will line up at fullback in the skipper's place and flyhalf Matt To'omua will take over the captaincy for the weekend.
Andrew Kellaway moves into the no. 13 jersey while mid-season recruit Tom Pincus will make his Super Rugby debut on the wing.
Coach Dave Wessels has reshuffled their pack too, headlined by the inclusion of Isi Naisarani to the starting no. 8 spot for his 50th Super Rugby cap.
Jermaine Ainsley will start at tighthead prop over Pone Fa'amausili and second rower Matt Philip has shifted back to the bench.
Rookies Esei Ha'angana and Trevor Hosea will team up in that second row department.
Brad Wilkin will make his first Super Rugby AU appearance on Friday night, returning from an ACL injury he suffered in April 2019.
Former All Black Richard Kahui and Kyle Godwin will make up a new centre pairing for the Western Force.
As part of that change, Marcel Brache moves from outside centre onto the wing and Brad Lacey shifts to the pine.
Captain Ian Prior returns after a week off with a shoulder injury, pushing Nick Frisby to the bench.
Force legend Pek Cowan has been named for his first Super Rugby AU appearance after returning from Japan earlier this month and serving his quarantine period.
Chris Heiberg will start at loosehead and youngster Angus Wagner drops out of the 23.
Reds rising star Jordan Petaia will play his first match since February when Queensland travels to Canberra this weekend.
Petaia hasn't played since dislocating his shoulder in training in Argentina in February and at the time it appeared his Super Rugby season would be over.
Angus Blyth has also returned from a shoulder complaint to team up with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row.
Blyth's return means that Angus Scott-Young switches to blindside flanker, with skipper Liam Wright at openside and Fraser McReight on the bench.
In a surprise move, Tate McDermott has been shifted to the bench with Samoa international Scott Malolua starting alongside James O'Connor.
The injury news isn't so good for prop Harry Hoopert, who has been ruled out for 4-5 weeks with a medial ligament injury, replaced by Dane Zander in the starting loosehead spot.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has tweaked his lineup for the GIO Stadium clash.
Darcy Swain will start in the second row, combining with Nick Frost, in the only change to the starting XV.
Prop Tom Ross replaces Harry Lloyd on the bench and Tom Cusack returns in place of Ben Hyne.
Watch every match on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and kayo Sports. Buy a Kayo subscription here.
SCHEDULE
All times AEST.
Friday July 31
7:05pm - Force vs Rebels, Leichhardt Oval, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here.
Saturday August 1
7:15pm - Brumbies vs Reds, GIO Stadium, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here.
TEAM LISTS
Force to face Rebels
IN: Pek Cowan, Ian Prior, Johan Bardoul
OUT: Angus Wagner, Jacob Abel, Ollie Atkins
1. Chris Heiberg
2. Feleti Kaitu'u
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Fergus Lee Warner
6. Henry Stowers
7. Tevin Ferris
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ian Prior
10. Jono Lance
11. Marcel Brache
12. Richard Kahui
13. Kyle Godwin
14. Byron Ralston
15. Jack McGregor
Reserves
16. Andrew Ready
17. Pek Cowan
18. Tom Sheminant
19. Johan Bardoul
20. Ollie Callan
21. Nick Frisby
22. Henry Taefu
23. Brad Lacey
Rebels to face Force
IN: Cabous Eloff, Isi Naisarani, Tom Pincus, Brad Wilkin
OUT: Dane Haylett-Petty, Matt Gibbon, Michael Stolberg, Josh Kemeny
1. Cameron Orr
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Esei Ha'angana
5. Trevor Hosea
6. Michael Wells
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Ryan Louwrens
10. Matt To'omua
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Billy Meakes
13. Andrew Kellaway
14. Tom Pincus
15. Reece Hodge
Reserves
16. Efi Ma'afu
17. Cabous Elouff
18. Pone Fa'amausili
19. Matt Philip
20. Rob Leota
21. Brad Wilkin
22. Frank Lomani
23. Andrew Deegan
BRUMBIES vs REDS
Brumbies to face Reds
IN: Darcy Swain, Tom Ross, Tom Cusack
OUT: Murray Douglas, Harry Lloyd, Ben Hyne
1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Darcy Swain
5. Nick Frost
6. Rob Valetini
7. Will Miller
8. Pete Samu
9. Joe Powell
10. Bayley Kuenzle
11. Tom Wright
12. Irae Simone
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Solomone Kata
15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Connal McInerney
17. James Slipper
18. Tom Ross
19. Tom Cusack
20. Locky McCaffrey
21. Issak Fines
22. Mack Hansen
23. Andy Muirhead
Reds to face Brumbies
IN: Angus Blyth, Feao Fotuaika, Jordan Petaia
OUT: Harry Hoopert, Tuaina Taii Taulima, Josh Flook
1. Dane Zander
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Angus Blyth
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Angus Scott-Young
7. Liam Wright
8. Harry Wilson
9. Scott Malolua
10. James O'Connor
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Hunter Paisami
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Jock Campbell
Reserves
16. Alex Mafi
17. Feao Fotuaika
18. Jack Straker
19. Ryan Smith
20. Fraser McReight
21. Tate McDermott
22. Bryce Hegarty
23. Jordan Petaia
