As we approach the halfway point of the competition, yes, already! – The table is starting to take shape with all four Australian teams in the top six! But does it stay that way?
Waratha takes over the groove for the first time this season and takes on the hurricane, with Brunby facing his own Kiwi rival in the Highlanders, and the Reds hold their strength to close the round.
Meanwhile, the injured ward continues to grow. Read all lineups, tips and injuries updates.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, March 28th
Hurricane vs. Warat
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Hurricane: Rev, Puntery Umaga-Jensen, Hope Hohey, Riley Hohey, Dukar, Dukan, Dudeb Delab, Numia. Alternatives: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rake-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Laawre, Brad Shields, Jordi Vilijoen, Fatafehi Finenganofo, Kade Banks.
Watasu: Max Jorgensen, Derby Lancaster, Joseph Oakso Suay, Joey Walton, Archie Sanders, Lawson Clayton, Teddy Wilson, Rangi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Miles Amatocero, Ben Grant, Taniera Tupoo, Julian, Angus Bell. Alternatives: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kill, Daniel Bee, Felix Carr Andom, Jackson, Jacks A.Jacks
Official: Damon Murphy; Assistant Referees: Marcus Prayle, Jeremy Markey. TMO: Brett Cronan
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Hurricane $1.26, -9.5$1.85; Waratus $3.60, +9.5$1.90
Brumbies vs. Highlanders
Gio Stadium, Canberra 7:35pm AEDT
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feruyi, Corey Toll, Noah Rulicio, Harrison Goddard, Rob Valletini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Alan Arratore, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Alternatives: Liam Bowron, Blake Schop, Rhys Van, Cadyern Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Klayton Thorn, Jack Debrecen, Ollie Sapsford
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Thomas Umaga Jensen, Timosi Tabatavanawai (C), Jonah Nareki, Tein Robinson, Nathan Hasty, Sean, Venni Rasaka, TK Dunaka, TK Dunaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaqaaqaqaaqaqaaqaqaaqaqaaqaqaqaaqaqaqaaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaqaaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqaqa, Mitchashae Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Alternatives: Henry Burr, Joss Burrto, Sash Stodart, Michael Rolt, Adam Linox, Ajay, Ajay
Official: Jordan Way; Jordan Assistants: Matt Kerahan, Jordan Kaminski. TMO: James Lecky
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Brumbies $1.30, -8.5 $1.85; Highlanders $3.30, +8.5 $1.90
Saturday, March 29th
Crusades and the Pacific Ocean
Apollo Project Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Crusades: Will Jordan, Chae Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Habili (C), Mcca Springer, James O’Connor, Noah Hotsum, Fletcher Anderson, Ethan Blackader, Karen Grace, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioan Moana, George Bohr Alternatives: Codie Taylor, Kids Williams, Quere Career, Xavier Strange, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihand, Levu
Moana: Willim Alternatives: Samua, Abraham Paul, Brita Souta, Tomana Islands, Melanataira, Jackson Garden Boxson Garden, Tuna Tire
Official: Angus Gardner; Assistant Referees: Mark Winter, Jeremy Markey. TMO: Angus Mavey
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Crusades $1.02, -24.5$1.85; Moana $11, +24.5$1.90
Queensland Reds vs. Western Squad
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)
red: Heshbasani is Axnoy, Las, Lalular, Parmita and Rsal. exchange: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffrey Tohmaga Allen, Angus Bryce, Connor Best, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin Phillips, and Dore Pakeho.
force: Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Sio Tomkinson, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce. Alternatives: Tom Horton, Ryan Count, Mori, Voili, Reed Princep, Isaac Fine Leleiwasa, Max Buley, and Rayjan Pastiora.
Official: Ben Okefe; Assistant Referee: St. Coe, Jackson Hend. TMO: Brett Crowan
prediction:
Top Fantasy Picks:
Odds (tab.com.au): Reds $1.20, -11.5 $1.85; $4.20, +11.5 $1.90
Injury zone
Brumby
Lachlan Lonergan (Play To Play Protocol, ConcussionExpected Back Round 9), Kadin Pritchard (Play To Play Protocol, Concussion, Veasud Back Round 9), Charlie Cale (Lower Back Run, Timeline TBC), Ben O’Donnell (Hamstring Operation), Tevita Alatini (ACL), Harry Vella (ACL)
Blues
PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Ben Ake (shoulder), Beauden Barrett (Hand), Adrian Choat (knee), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ricky Riccitelli (Chest), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck), Anton Segner (ofcussion), anton segner (segner),
chief
Simon Parker (knee, short term), Anton Linert Brown (legs, short term), Josh Lord (knee, mid term), Lameka Poipi (knee, season), Caleb Trask (hamstring, mid term), Eton Nanai Setulo (hunstring, long term), Liam Coves Frain, Fottebring (hunstring, long term), Wallace Cititi (knee, long term), te toiroa tahuriorangi (shoulder, short term)
Cross Army
Dom Gardiner (Hamstring/2 Weeks), Johnny McNicholl (Hamstring/2-4 Week), Ethan Blackadder (Quad/TBC), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Knee/3 Week), George Bell (Foot/Season), Braydon Ennoll (Hamstring/TBC), Finlay Brewis (searth/Season)
Physia and Rua
Saratin Rabangamada (hia), save (knee)
Highlanders
Oliver Heig (foot / 3 weeks), Jonah Lowe (ACL / 1-2 weeks), Cameron Miller (concussion / 1-2 weeks), Jacob Ratumaitabki Nipkens (neck / 3-4 weeks), Forau Whakatava (hamstring / 1-2 weeks), Hugh Renton (gloin / 1-2 weeks)
Hurricane
Zach Gallagher (Achilles/TBC), Daniel Sinkinson (hamstring/round 8), Lucas Cashmore (knee/round 7), Brett Cameron (knee/season), Asafo Aumua (foot/TBC), Tyrell Romax (ankle/round 5), Devan Flanders (ankle/round 9)/round 7), Billy Proctor (Achilles/TBC), Harry Godfrey (lower limbs/4-6 weeks)
pacific ocean
Ardie Savea (Hamstring), James Lay (Elboan), Hanel), Dune Malao (Snone Dilable (Shande), Solomon Policy (Shourdle)
NSW Waratas
Jake Gordon (medial ligament), Joseph Oucho Souri (toe), Larakai Foquetty (gro diameter), Fergus Lee Warner (foot), Lucas Rich (shoulder)
Western squad
Harry Johnson Holmes (knee), Bailey Quenzle (knee), Harry Hoopot (knee), Dibud Pal (shoulder), Matt Proctor (shoulder), Papillon Sever (knee)
Queensland Reds
Jock Campbell, Matt Fessler, Josh Froke, Matt Gibbon, Franky Goldsbrow, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCullock, Fraser McWright, Josh Nassell, Liam Wright
suspension
Drua: Motikiai Murray (Round 9)
All odds are correct at the time of publication.