It begins in Hamilton with Moana Pasifika facing the Melbourne Rebels after their match was moved from Auckland before the NSW Waratahs host the Highlanders.
It is a Super Saturday with the action kicking off early with the Fijian Drua returning home to take on the Crusaders.
The ACT Brumbies face old half Nic White and the Force in Canberra, the Blues and Hurricanes add to their rivalry in Wellington whilst the Reds and Chiefs close out the round.
Super.Rugby is your home of all the team list news in 2024, with every team set to be published at 2pm AEDT/4pm NZDT.
ROUND THREE TEAMS
*All times local
MOANA PASIFIKA V MELBOURNE REBELS
Friday 8 March: FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (19:05)
MOANA PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu, Pepesana Patafilo, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Tomasi Maki, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Melani Matavao, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Lukas Ripley
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
Key match-up: The wing battle will be an interesting one to watch when Rebels right wing Andrew Kellaway lines up against Moana Pasifika left wing Pepesana Patafilo. Kellaway was dynamite last week against the Force while Patafilo is a player that oozes class and will be looking to make a statement at his new club.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Moana Pasifika by 12
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
NSW WARATAHS V HIGHLANDERS
Friday 8 March: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (19:35)
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (c), Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Tom Sanders, Nikora Broughton, Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, James Palmer
Key match-up: Keep your eye on the 15 jersey where Highlanders sensation Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will joust with the hottest young property in Australian rugby Max Jorgensen.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Waratahs by 3
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
FIJIAN DRUA V CRUSADERS
Saturday 9 March: Churchill Park, Lautoka (13:05)
FIJIAN DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Mesake Doge, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Junior Ratuva
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Taha Kemara, Manasa Mataele, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Jone Rova, Riley Hohepa
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jeremy Markey
Key match-up: Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi is a talisman in the number eight jersey for the Fijian Drua. This week he runs into a brickwall in the shape of Cullen Grace. Expect fireworks between these two hard nosed combatants.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Fijian Drua by 1
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
ACT BRUMBIES V WESTERN FORCE
Saturday 9 March: GIO Stadium, Canberra (14:35)
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Max Burey
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman
Referee: Dan Waenga
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski
Key match-up: Joe Schmidt will be keeping a close eye on the pivots with Noah Lolesio going up against Ben Donaldson. Both players could make an early case for the Wallabies number 10 jersey with a strong showing in Canberra.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Brumbies by 10.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
HURRICANES V BLUES
Saturday 9 March: SKY Stadium, Wellington (19:05)
HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O'Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan
RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Cole Forbes
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Nick Hogan, Natarsha Ganley
Key match-up: Is there more of a powerhouse clash in round three than the blockbusting Brayden Iose versus the rampaging Akira Ioane at number eight?
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Hurricanes by 15.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
QUEENSLAND REDS V CHIEFS
Saturday 9 March: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (18:35)
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lyngah, Mac Grealy, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Suli Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Tupou Vaa'i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson, Josh Ioane
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Key match-up: Reds pivot Tom Lynagh has shown he is a chip off the old block with his commanding performances in round one and two. This week he faces a huge challenge in the shape of Chiefs maestro Damian McKenzie.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Chiefs by 25.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.