The clash of rivals Brumbies and Waratahs is the key fixture for Australian fans in round 12.

See all the team news as its revealed below.

(All times are AEST)

Friday

Blues vs Force, 5.05pm

Kurtley Beale will play his first match in ten months, with the Wallabies veteran named in the No.15 jersey to take on the Blues on Friday.

Beale ruptured his Achilles for Randwick days after being named in Joe Schmidt’s extended Wallabies squad last June.

But the 35-year-old has made a quicker than anticipated recovery and Simon Cron hasn’t wasted any time in recalling him.

His return sees Mac Grealy shift to the wing, with Bayley Kuenzle moving to outside centre in place of Sio Tomkinson.

Henry Robertson keeps his spot at No.9 despite Nic White’s return from a concussion, with the Wallaby returning via the bench.

There’s a couple of changes up front, with captain Jeremy Williams recovering from a minor calf niggle to replace Sam Carter in the second-row.

The other change sees Reed Prinsep return to the starting side at No.8, with Will Harris dropping back to the bench.

Blues coach Vern Cotter has made 10 changes to the starting XV after his team’s loss to the Reds.

All Black Beauden Barrett back at 10, Stephen Perofeta at fullback, Dalton Papali’i at openside flanker and Marcel Renata at tighthead prop are all back after issues. Test wing Caleb Clarke remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

AJ Lam shifts to the wing to replace suspended Mark Tele’a. Elsewhere, Taua Funaki replaces Finlay Christie at halfback, Laghlan McWhannell comes in for Josh Beehre at lock and Ricky Riccitelli takes over at hooker for Kurt Eklund.

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Stephen Perofeta

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Corey Evans

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale

Replacements: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday

Drua vs Reds, 12.05pm

Les Kiss has bucked the trend of leaving his big names behind for their trip to Fiji, naming several Wallabies regulars in his Reds side for Saturday’s clash against the Drua in Suva.

With a home quarterfinal still a possibility, the fourth-placed Reds have named as close to a full-strength squad as possible for the game.

While Tom Lynagh and locks Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham will come off the bench, the Test trio could easily have been left behind to prepare for a crunch fortnight against the Waratahs and Brumbies.

Instead, they will be injected into the match from the bench as a means to try and drive the Reds home to victory.

Starting ahead of Lynagh will be Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, with the Junior Wallabies playmaker returning from a hamstring injury to return to the No.10 jersey.

He will play alongside an otherwise unchanged backline from the one that beat the Blues 35-21 in Brisbane last week.

The front-row is unchanged, while Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth start ahead of Salakaia-Loto and Canham.

The back-row is also unchanged, with Fraser McReight picked alongside Seru Uru and Joe Brial.

“The boys lifted and really focussed on the things that matter. It is up to us to continue the momentum into Fiji this weekend,” Kiss said.

George Blake’s injury has seen Kiss turn to Junior Wallabies hooker Max Craig to make his debut.

The 21-year-old will have plenty of experience around him though, with internationals Alex Hodgman and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen also named on the bench.

Uru said he was looking forward to the challenge of returning to Fiji.

“I’m always excited to go back to the homeland to play against the Drua. It’s always a big challenge, a tough one,” Uru said. 

“For me, it’s always a special moment. It’s the only time that family get to watch me close up because it’s watching me behind a screen otherwise. “We are well prepared as a team and looking forward to the game.”

Fijian Drua Head Coach Glen Jackson has made key changes in the backline. Jackson has handed Vuate Karawalevu a start at outside centre, added Kemu Valetini at flyhalf, and moved Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to fullback.

Jackson has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, which includes seasoned co-captain Tevita Ikanivere. Experienced prop Mesake Doge starts the match as captain. 

DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge (c), Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Max Craig, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Heremaia Murray

Referee: Marcus Playle

Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Glenn Newman

Hurricanes vs Chiefs, 5.05pm

All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua returns to the Hurricanes starting lineup as the team made four changes to their forward.

Aumua and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, who also returns, were ruled out of the Brumbies match by concussion.

Tyrel Lomax replaces All Blacks teammate Pasilio Tosi as starting prop while Brayden Iose has reclaimed the No.6 jersey from Brad Shields.

The Chiefs are again without Damien McKenzie, who has a hand injury, while centre Daniel Rona will start in place of Anton Leinert-Brown, who suffered a fractured collarbone during the Chiefs’win over the Force.

Leroy Carter returns to the wing after recovering from a foot injury. Loosehead prop Ollie Norris and hooker Bradley Slater come into starting lineup, with Aidan Ross and Samisoni Taukei’aho on the bench.

HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Gideon Wrampling

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way

TMO: Brett Cronan

Brumbies vs Waratahs, 7.35pm

Having shocked the Brumbies earlier in the year, Dan McKellar’s side will be after a repeat of their brilliant defensive effort when they travel down the Hume Highway on Saturday to take on their Australian rivals.

While both sides are coming off a loss, McKellar’s side has been bolstered by the return of several Test stars, including captain Jake Gordon.

Test forwards Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota all return after missing the 28-14 loss to the Drua in Fiji because of national eligibility protocols.

Bell will start in the front-row alongside Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha, who re-signed with the Waratahs earlier in the week.

Fellow re-signing Ben Grant has recovered from an injury to take his place in the second-row alongside Hugh Sinclair.

While Leota returns at blindside flanker in a new back-row alongside Jamie Adamson and Langi Gleeson, who made his impact off the bench in Fiji.

Gordon returns for the first time since March at halfback, with Teddy Wilson dropping to the bench.
It’s an otherwise unchanged backline, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii still in the No.15 jersey.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has named a settled side, with Rory Scott the only change to the starting side that lost to the Hurricanes last weekend.

Scott replaces Luke Reimer, who will come off the bench.

The other change is on the bench, with rising prop Lington Leli replacing Rhys van Nek.

“It’s an important game against the Waratahs on Saturday, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve always enjoyed the rivalry and this week is one of our biggest in the season. It’s going to be heated,” Larkham said.

“Coming off the game we had against them up in Sydney, there is disappointment from our players in several different aspects, such as the lack of composure we displayed.

“Where both teams sit on the ladder, this is a crucial game for us and the Waratahs at this stage of the season. From now on, we’re deciding the top six, so every game is vital in terms of securing points.”

McKellar said he was thrilled to welcome Gordon back.

“It’s a big boost for the group to get our captain and leader back, especially in a big game like this,” McKellar said. “He’s a steady hand, and his presence gives the team confidence.” 

Gordon returned to rugby last Saturday via a 40-minute stint with Sydney University in the Shute Shield. McKellar said Gordon had responded well to the game and showed he is ready to step back into the Super Rugby Pacific cauldron.

 “He got 40 minutes under his belt for Sydney Uni last weekend and performed well,” McKellar explained. “He’s had a solid couple of training weeks. So, he’s ready to go.”

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (co-c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Tane Edmed, Henry O’Donnell

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper

TMO: James Leckie

Sunday

Highlanders vs Moana Pasifika, 1.35pm

Nathan Hastie is back in the Highlanders’ No.9 jersey after a strong effort against the Crusaders.

Hugh Renton will start at No.8 with Timoci Tavatavanawai restored to the midfield and Sam Gilbert on the wing.

Lock Fabian Holland has been named despite failing an early HIA last week. Prop Rohan Wingham has been picked for his first game of the season off the bench.

Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga backed ackson Garden-Bachop to go around again in the No.10 jersey with Patrick Pellegrini resigned to a bench role.

He was boosted by the return of wing Kyren Taumoefolau in a must-win game for the team.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Winghan, Mitch Dunshea, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Jake Te Hiwi

PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Tomasi Maka, Monu Moli, Pone Fa’amausili, Ofa Tauatevalu, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Patrick Pellegrini

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter

TMO: Richard Kelly