The defending champions Crusaders will kick off the action against the Chiefs on Friday February 23, followed by the Melbourne Rebels hosting the ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park.
The Hurricanes face the tough task of defeating the Force in Perth whilst the Blues and Fijian Drua head to Whangarei to open the season.
The Highlanders welcome the Moana Pasifika to Dunedin for their opening round clash, with the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs adding another chapter to their fierce rivalry to finish the round.
Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
ROUND ONE TEAMS
*All time local
CHIEFS V CRUSADERS
Friday 23 February: FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (19:05)
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaai, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luck Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Tamati Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
Replacements: Quinten MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Ryan Crotty
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Reuben Keane
Key match-up: Anton Lienert-Brown v Levi Aumua. Incumbent All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will have his hands full against new Crusader Levi Aumua who caused carnage for Moana Pasifika last season.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Chiefs by 5
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
MELBOURNE REBELS V ACT BRUMBIES
Friday 23 February: AAMI Park, Melbourne (19:35)
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), Jack Maunder, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Sefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Tamati Tua
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, George Myers
Key match-up: Noah Lolesio v Carter Gordon. Last season Carter Gordon usurped Noah Lolesio into the Wallabies. Lolesio will be keen to show he is the premier playmaker in Australia.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: ACT Brumbies by 22
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
Western Force V Hurricanes
Friday 23 February: AAMI Park, Melbourne (19:00)
Force (1-15): Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells (co-c), Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White (co-c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey
Replacements: Ben Funnell, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman
Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
Replacements: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Jordan Kaminski
Key match-up: Nic White v Jordi Viljoen. Wallabies stalwart Nic White is a master of mind games and will put young Hurricanes halfback Jordi Viljoen to the test both physically and mentally in this clash.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Hurricanes by 1
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
BLUES V FIJIAN DRUA
Saturday February 24: Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei (16:35)
Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes
Drua (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Ella Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Tudraki Samusamuvodre
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Key match-up: Iosefo Masi v Rieko Ioane. Two of the best attacking centres in world rugby will come head-to-head when the Fijian Drua's Iosefo Masi tangles with the Blues Rieko Ioane.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters Call: Fijian Drua by 3.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
HIGHLANDERS V MOANA PASIFIKA
Saturday February 24: Forsyth Barr Stadium (19:05)
Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe
Moana Pasifika (1-15): James Lay (c), Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Aisea Halo, D'Angelo Leuila, Anzleo Tuitavuki
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referees: James Mabey, Marcus Playle
Key match-up: Tanielu Tele'a v Pepesana Patafilo. Tele'a and Patafilo are both quality players who haven't seen regular game time for their previous Super Rugby squads. Both players will be eager to show they can foot it with the best in the competition.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Highlanders by 10.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
Queensland Reds V NSW Waratahs
Saturday February 24: Suncorp Stadium (19:05)
Reds (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lyngah, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suli Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa'agase, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell
Waratahs: Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton
Replacements: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Sam Thomson, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Max Jorgensen
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
Key match-up: Harry Wilson v Langi Gleeson. This is a juicy clash in the number eight jersey. Both players are among the strongest ball carriers in the competition, and neither will be making a backwards step on Saturday night.
NZR+ Expert Tipsters call: Waratahs by 5.
Think you know more than our expert? Make your predictions on each clash with the NZR+ Play Predictor HERE.
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