After over 30 players made their debut last week, Super Rugby AUS shifts into a critical second round, with the Western Force hosting the Brumbies and the Waratahs hosting the Reds.
Super Rugby AUS launched last week with the Waratahs falling short against the men from the West in Sydney, before the Reds overcame a late Brumbies fightback to prevail on a fun afternoon at Ballymore.
Watch every second of Super Rugby AUS live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
This week, the double headers with U19s shift to country New South Wales and the west coast, with the Force calling Tompkins Park home for the next fortnight, while Narribri welcomes the Santos Festival of Rugby.
The event will kick off with a massive street party on Friday night, followed by two days of interstate competitions between the Reds and Waratahs 7s sides, the Super Rugby Women's sides, the representative Country outfits, and the Classic Wallabies playing the Narribri Blue Boars - with the Super Rugby AUS and Super Rugby U19s fixtures culminating each respective day.
The Reds will see a bunch of changes, with captain Jock Campbell shifting to flyhalf while Harry McLaughlin-Phillips undergoes HIA protocols following their victory over the Brumbies.
Joe Brial will return to the side, his family having originated in Narribri, while Lachie Anderson moves into the starting side on the wing, allowing Heremaia Murray to shift to fullback.
Lastly, George Blake will get a chance to show his versatility at hooker, while Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen makes his long awaited return in maroon on the bench.
Opposite them, Waratahs head coach Lachie McCaffrey has made sweeping changes to the side that lost 24-3 to the Force, with Matt Philip omitted after receiving a three week suspension for reckless play.
A new halves pairing will see Narrabri junior Joey Fowler and former Junior Wallabies representative scrumhalf Michael McDonald manage the side, with Ben Grant filling in Phillip's shoes. He'll be joined by Wallaby Isaac Kailea in the front row.
Leo Jacques has been promoted to the starting side to start on the wing, while Lawson Creighton will captain the side from inside centre, partnering Jackson Ropata.
With several starters from last week rotated back to the bench, plus some new faces, the Waratahs need to achieve victory in Narribri to keep their title hopes alive.
For the Force, the big news sees Kurtley Beale shift into the starting side for Force, with the 95-capped Wallaby named in place of midfielder Boston Fakafanua, who suffered a HIA against the Waratahs.
Prop Bradley Kuhn will also miss out with an ankle injury, with Tiaan Tauakipulu coming into the side as a result. Ronan Leahy and Henry Palmer will come onto the bench, with Palmer fresh off appearing in Easts’ 37-24 Shute Shield grand final loss to Warringah, having also spent time at the Brumbies and in the Aussie Sevens on the HSBC SVNS circuit.
Aside from the two injury-enforced changes, it is an unchanged remaining Force outfit.
The Brumbies have also gone with consistency, only making two changes to the side that went down swinging against the Reds. Exciting Australia U20 back Shane Wilcox makes his return from injury, while team mate Lipina Ata will debut off the bench.
Tevita Alatini will also earn his first start in Brumbies colours, while Rory Scott will also come into the starting side after proving effective off the bench against the Reds.
The match looms as a critical one for the men from Canberra, with the side needing a win to stay in the hunt for the final.
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Jamie Adamson, Chlayton Frans, Michael McDonald, Joey Fowler, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton (c), Jackson Ropata, Leo Jacques, James Hendren
Replacements: Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Tom Lambert, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Austin Durbidge, Teddy Wilson, Otto Serfontein, James McGregor
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross (vc), George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Connor Vest, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Tom Robinson, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Jock Campbell (c), Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Isaac Henry, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Theo Fourie, Sef Fa'agase, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Kohan Herbert, James Martens, Will Cartwright, Xavier Rubens
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Albert Alcock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Mitch Watts, Darcy Swain (c), Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Viliami Fine, Kurtley Beale, George Poolman, Justin Landman, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Wes Thomas, Max Sawers, Sean Paranihi, Max Johnson, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry Palmer, Ronan Leahy
BRUMBIES (1-15): Lington Ieli , Liam Bowron, Tevita Alatini, Lachlan Shaw, Harvey Cordukes, Toby MacPherson, Luke Reimer (c), Rory Scott, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Kadin Pritchard, Shane Wilcox
Replacements: Lipina Ata, Tauati Chan-Tung, Rhys van Nek, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Judah Saumaisue, Dan Nelson, Joe Dillon, Jarrah McLeod
