The race to the final gets hot in another five rounds to decide who will reach the playoffs.
After last week’s massive ANZAC round, the 10 teams hit the pitch again this weekend with action launched in Auckland on Friday night, continuing with the giant Brunby Wallata Derby in Canberra before the weekend concluded with Dunedin with the Highlanders and Moana.
Read all lineups, tips and injuries updates.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, May 2nd
Blues vs. Western Force
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm (aest)
Blues: Stephen Perofetta, Cole Forbes, Rieko Ione, Zabi Tere, Azi Lamb, Boden Barrett, Taufa Funki, Hoskins Sotou, Dalton Pappalli, Anton Segner, Raglan McHanell, Patrick Twiprotou (Capte fusitu’a). Alternatives: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, and Corey Evans.
force: Kurtley Beale, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Mac Grealy, Ben Donaldson, Henry Robertson, Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (C), Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, and Ryan Coxon.
exchange: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman
Official: Ben O’Keefe; Assistant Referee: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw; TMO: Richard Kelly
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Blues; Power
Saturday, May 3rd
Physian Rua vs Queensland Reds
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 12:05 pm (aest)
Drua: iWorried Armstrong Labrapi Labay, Celestino Lavaumada, Iniya Tabvoir, Butte Karawalev, Teniela Lacaro, Valtini Valletto, Krula Silrub, Krula Silrub, Keion Sarawa, Iso Tuwai, Iso Nasililla, Mesek of Mesek, Mesek of Mesek. Zuriel Togiamama,
Alternatives: Icanivere Tevita, Haereiiti Hett, Smusela Tawake, Leone Rotuisoli, Joseva Tamani, Elijah Canaakavata, Philip Baseella, Isikelile
red: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Dore Pakeho, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Harry McLaughlin Phillips, Tate McDermott (C), Joe Brial, Fraser McRight, Sel Ul, Angus Bryce, Ryan Smith, Zane Nongol, Richie Asiata,
Alternatives: Max Krolling, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga Allen, Canoma Allen, Canoma Sarachia Lechanham, Linagogue, Linagogue, Elema Murray
Official: Marcus Pleil; Assistant Referees: James Dollman, Fraser Hannon. TMO: Glenn Newman
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Drua;Red
Hurricane vs. Chiefs
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 5:35pm (aest)
Hurricane: Callum Harkin, Ngane Punivai, Billy Proctor (Co-Capt), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’plessis Kirifi (Co-Capt), Brayden Iose, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb delany Alternatives: Raymond Growth, Xavier Niale, Parli Gallago, Brad Shield (Cor-Captra Mari, Rilea Here, Riley Here.
chief: Sean Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Josh Jakombu, Cortez Latima, Luke Jacobson (captain), Kaylam Bossier, Samipeni Fina, Tupou Vaai, Josh Lord Alternatives: Redock Vakehho, Aidan Ross, Ruben O’Hill, Sycle Parker, Wallier Roll, Gideon Wrampling.
Official: Nick Berry; Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way. TMO: Brett Cronan
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Hurricane; Chief
Brumbies vs. NSW Waratahs
Gio Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm (aest)
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Koriat, Nick Screen, Pollard in July, James Swelled.
Alternatives: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Foouka, Luke Reimmer, Luke Reimmer, Luke, Meredith, Organisath, Organisa Sapport, and the organization.
Watasu: Joseph Auguso Souri, Andrew Keraway, Larakai Foquetty, Joy Walton, Lawson Clayton, Jake Gordon (CO-C), Lang Gleeson, Jamie Adamson, Rob Leota, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair (CO-C), Daniel Bosa, Daniel Bosa, Ethan Dobbins, Angus Bell.
Alternatives: Mow Vaimu, Tom Lamb, Song Amatoesro, Millry Amadesro, Taddy Wilson, Tenry O’Donnell
Official: Angus Gardner; Assistant Referees: Matt Kerahan, Graham Cooper. TMO: James Lecky
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Brumbie;Walatta
Highlanders vs. Payca Mute
Forsythbur Stadium, Dunedin, 1:35pm (aest)
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitabki Knaepkens, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga Jensen, Timosi Tabatavanawai (co-captain), Jonah Lowe, Cameron Miller, Nathan Hasty, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Sean Wheelie, Te Kamaka Howden, Oliver Haig Alternatives: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Bartlett, Mitch Dunn, Beni Lasaka, Fella Battle, Taney Robinson, Jake the Ridge.
Moana: William Karea, Tevia Leah and Hailen are also Jackson Grode, Monati Slastay, Maciel Sale, Mail Saga, Postal Delivery Sabavi and Teine.Alternatives: Thomas’ Marketing, Mount, Hidden, Population, Tenan Maria, Melana Tolosa, Patrin Sarrell
Official: Paul Williams; Assistant Referees: Angusma Bay, Mike Winter. TMO: Richard Kelly
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Highlanders; Moana
Injury zone
Brumby
Jack Debretzeni – Gro dia, 3-4 weeks Ben O’Donnell – Hamstring operation, 3-4 weeks Charlie Kale – Lower back injuries, 4-5 weeks Tevita Aratini – ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, Timeline TBC Break Shepp – Akira rupture, over 8 months
Blues
Caleb Clark (thigh), Leon Paul (shoulder), offa tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).
chief
Damian Mackenzie, hand, quickly back, Ethene Nanai Seturo, hamstring, soon Caleb Trask, ankles, TBC Liam Coomb Fabring, knee, mid-term Anton Linath Brown, collarbone, collarbone, medium-term Malachi Ramling, hamstring, medium-term Ramypi,
Cross Army
Ethan Blackader (hamstring/TBC), Dongardiner (foot/TBC), Johnny Lee (calf/4 weeks), Luis Ponini (calf/4-6 weeks), Braydon Ennor (hamstring/2 weeks), George Bell (foot/4-6 weeks), Finlay Brews (shoulder/season)
Physia and Rua
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre Knees, Short-term vilive Miramira – Knees, Short-term Elisadoroars – Wrist, Wrist, Short-term Epeli Momo – Long-term Frankromani – Shoulders, Long-term Calebmanz – Shoulders, Short-term Meriderenaragi – Long-term
Highlanders
Caleb Tangitau (gro diameter 1-2 weeks) Tanielle Terrea (hamstring 1-2 weeks) Jonah Nareki (knee 1-2 weeks) Nicola Broughton (knee MCL 4-6 weeks) Finn Harley (quad, season), Hayden Michaels (hamstring 1-2 weeks) Ayay Faleferga (broken hand)
Hurricane
Brett Cameron (knee, season) Devan Flanders (ankle, round 14) Harry Godfrey (lower limbs, round 15) Peter Umaga Jensen (shoulder, TBC)
pacific ocean
Moralshouse (shoulder) Concus (concus) Japan’s delivery (neck) Smoll policy (neck) Taceoloo Polight (FOEE).
NSW Waratas
Max Jorgensen (Syndesmosis), Dave Porecki (Calf), Charlie Gamble (Calf), Jimmy Hendren (Broken Wrist)
Queensland Reds
George Blake Filippo Daugnu Matt Fesler Josh Froke Matt Gibbon Franky Gold Mason Gordon Will McCulloch Josh Nasher Harry Wilson Liam Wright
Western forces,
Violini Equasi (shoulder) Harry Johnson Holmes (knee, season) Harry Hoopport (knee, season) Tom Horton (head injury protocol)
suspension
Blues: Mark Telea
Highlanders: Sean Wyth (Round 12)
All odds are correct at the time of publication.