There are just eight teams remaining in Super Rugby Pacific as the finals get underway for the 2024 season.
It begins in Hamilton as the Chiefs host the Queensland Reds in Hamilton in a rematch of 2023's quarter-final.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.
This is followed by the Melbourne Rebels travelling to Wellington to face the Hurricanes, with the Blues taking on the Fijian Drua in Auckland.
The ACT Brumbies will conclude the quarter-finals against the Highlanders in Canberra.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action for the quarter-finals, presented by Bet365
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona
- Tupou Vaa’i goes into the starting side in the second row
- Anton Lienert-Brown returns to the starting side after missing the win over the Blues
- Samisoni Taukei’aho and Bradley Slater swap as the All Black starts
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa'agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan
- Tom Lynagh starts at flyhalf, with Lawson Creighton reverting to the bench
- John Bryant, Ryan Smith and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen come back into the starting side in the forward pack
- Seru Uru plays his 50th game for the club, partnering with Smith
- All six of the Reds-Chiefs' games have been decided by a margin of nine points or fewer on the day.
- The Chiefs have won eight of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific finals games when hosting on the day
- The Queensland Reds have won four of their last five Super Rugby Pacific games
Shaun Stevenson v Jock Campbell
Stevenson is a game-breaker on his day, looking to recapture the type of form that saw him on the verge of All Blacks selection.
The 27-year-old has had a mixed 2024 campaign, going up against a reliable force in Jock Campbell.
Campbell is the key behind the Reds' attack and will need to get involved early if the Reds want to cause an upset.
Chiefs by 4
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo
- Peter Lakai comes into the starting side in the back row
- Justin Sangster partners Isaia Walker-Leawere in the second row
- Captain Brad Shields returns via the bench after missing the last fortnight of action
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feiluai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste
- Carter Gordon is cleared to return after his concussion
- Lachlan Anderson comes onto the wing, with Andrew Kellaway to play his 50th game for the club
- Sam Talakai will play his 100th Super Rugby game, named on the bench
- The Hurricanes have won their last 11 consecutive Super Rugby games against the Melbourne Rebels by an average margin of 26 points per game.
- The Hurricanes have scored an average of 48 points per game across their six home games against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific
- The Melbourne Rebels haven’t won away to a New Zealand team in a Super Rugby campaign since a 28-22 against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Round 5, 2020
Asafo Aumua v Jordan Uelese
Aumua is one of the most dangerous hookers on his day, torching the Highlanders last week.
The hooker is a weapon in all aspects of the game and will put significant pressure on Wallaby Uelese.
The Melbourne-bred hooker is crucial to their set-piece, particularly their lineout, which has come under pressure in past weeks.
Hurricanes by 16
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Stephen Perofeta
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes
- Josh Beehre starts for Sam Darry, who sits out under concussion protocols.
- Rieko Ioane returns to centre after missing last week, where he will partner AJ Lam in the midfield.
- Harry Plummer moves into flyhalf, with Stephen Perofeta back at fullback
DRUA (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Waqa Nalaga, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz
- Head Coach Mick Byrne has retained his starting line-up from the win against the Melbourne Rebels last week
- Emosi Tuqiri comes onto the bench as a front-row reserve
- Tuqiri is joined by Peni Matawalu as part of a 6-2 split on the bench
- The Blues have won all three of their previous Super Rugby Pacific games against the Fijian Drua by an average margin of 19 points per game
- The Blues have won 10 of their last 11 Super Rugby Pacific games, conceding an average of just 15 points per game across that run
- Each of the Fijian Drua’s last six Super Rugby Pacific games have been won by the home team on the day while the Drua have lost each of their last 15 games played outside Fiji by an average margin of 22.3 points per game.
Rieko Ioane v Iosefo Masi
Masi is the type of player who can change any game and poses the biggest threat to the Blues' backline.
The centre has eight tries this season and will come up against an All Blacks regular in Ioane.
Ioane missed last week's game against the Chiefs and will need to be on his game to nullify the powerhouse Fijian.
Blues by 14
BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
- Harry Vella starts after Blake Schoupp re-injured his shoulder
- Charlie Cale comes in at number eight, joined by Jahrome Brown in the back row
- Liam Bowron and Rhys van Nek have been added to the bench alongside Nick Frost
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Jake Te Hiwi, Finn Hurley
- Folau Fakatava and Cameron Millar return to the starting side in the halves
- Tanielu Tele’a has recovered from injury after hurting his knee against the Blues last month
- Sean Withy, Oliver Haig and Mitch Dunshea comes back into the forward pack after the defeat to the Hurricanes
- The ACT Brumbies have won their last three consecutive Super Rugby Pacific games against the Highlanders after losing six in a row against them prior to that run
- This will be just the second time that the ACT Brumbies and Highlanders have met in the post-season of a Super Rugby campaign after the Highlanders defeated the Brumbies 15-9 in the Quarter Finals of the 2016 campaign.
- The ACT Brumbies have won 11 of their last 12 Super Rugby Pacific games including their last six in a row
Billy Harmon v Charlie Cale
Harmon will be out to pull off the major upset as he skippered the Highlanders against the Brumbies.
The backrower's work-rate is incredible and he'll try to inspire his side with his effort on and off the ball.
He lines up against Cale, the breakout star of the Brumbies 2024 campaign, who will be tasked with disrupting their set-piece and utilising his freakish athleticism
Brumbies by 9
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