Crusaders 0-3 to start the season? Hurricanes unbeaten at the top of the table? Rebels sitting fourth?
Super Rugby Pacific has brought unpredictability and excitement back and there's no doubt Round 4 will add another dimension to the competition.
Will the Crusaders break their duck or add a very unwelcome record? Can the Rebels make it three straight or will the Reds prove themselves as Australia's best side?
Check out all the team lists, key ins and outs, odds and our tips below.
Friday, March 15
Crusaders vs.
Hurricanes
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm [AEDT]
Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, David Havili, Macca Springer, Riley Hohepa, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Zach Gallagher, Quinten Strange, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower.
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Finlay Brewis, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod.
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia.
Replacements: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du'Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders $1.90, -3.5 $; Hurricanes $1.90, +3.5 $1
Prediction: Somehow things have gone from bad to worse for the Crusaders with captain Scott Barrett now ruled out for six weeks with a broken finger. It's definitely not the homecoming they would have been hoping for. Now they face the prospect of going 0-4 for the first time ever in their proud history as they face the undefeated Hurricanes, who enter Friday flying high off the back of beating the Blues last week. To add even more intrigue to the clash, under fire Rob Penney has turned to Riley Hohepa to try and right their struggling backline. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have had the luxury of naming a mostly unchanged side with Du'Plessus Kirifi returning from injury via the bench while Devan Flanders has been handed the No. 6 jersey. Add impressive wing Kini Naholo and halfback Cam Roigard who was pivotal in the side's win over the Blues and expect the Hurricanes to add more hurt to the Crusaders.
Tip: Hurricanes by 12
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Melbourne Rebels vs.
Queensland Reds
AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7:35pm [AEDT]
Rebels: Andrew Kellaway, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Rob Leota, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Josh Kemeny, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon.
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Angelo Smith, Jake Strachan, James Tuttle.
Reds: Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Mac Grealy, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Peni Ravai.
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jefferey Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalanai Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jordan Petaia.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Rebels $3.10, +7.5 $1.90; Reds $1.34, -7.5 $1.85
Predictions: Returning home with a second victory, the Rebels enter Friday night's clash with a mostly unchanged line-up with Kevin Foote turning to Taniela Tupou to lead the scrum in his first match against his former side. Playing an instrumental role in turning the tide against Moana last week, Tupou will be expected to make an impact against an impressive Reds forward pack early. Meanwhile, there's been another change in the backline with Andrew Kellaway pushed to fullback and Glen Vaihu returning to the wing. Reds' counterpart Les Kiss has been forced into several changes with Sef Fa'agese handed a four week ban with Peni Ravai moving into the starting role, while Kiss has handed the keys to Harry McLaughlin-Phillips to lead the backline after his strong showing against the Chiefs last week. In a boost, Jordan Petaia will make his return from concussion via the bench while Isaac Henry retains his starting role at inside centre. This could be the Aussie derby of the season and could go right down to the wire.
Tip: Reds by 3
Western Force vs.
Moana Pasifika
HBF Park, Perth, 10pm [AEDT]
Force: Max Burey, Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon.
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu'u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Ollie Callan, Nic White, George Poolman.
Pasifika: Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Christian Lealiifano, Ereatara Enari, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui, Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sekope Kepu, Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole.
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Sateki Latu, Sione Mafileo, Ola Taelangi, Irie Papuni, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Pepesana Patafilo
Odds: [tab.com.au] Force $1.50, -5.5 $1.90; Moana $2.50, +5.5 $1.85
Predictions: Winless so far this season, the Force will need to put the final spit and polish on their game if they're to get over the line against a much-improved Moana Pasifika outfit. After being pipped in their last two matches, Simon Cron has made several tweaks to his line-up with Michael Wells ruled out with a knee injury while, in a surprise move, Nic White will come off the bench with Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa given the starting role. On the other side, Tana Umaga has been able to name his three most experienced players with Christian Lealiifano, Sekope Kepu and Julian Savea in the starting line-up.
Tip: Force by 7
Saturday, March 9
Highlanders vs.
ACT Brumbies
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 2:35pm [AEDT]
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele'a, Sam Gilbert, Martin Bogado, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, James Arscotti, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Tom Hooper, Caderyn Neville, Nick Frost, Sosefo Kautai, Billy Pollard, Blake Shoupp.
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Highlanders $1.90, +0.5 $1.85; Brumbies $1.85, -0.5 $1.90
Predictions: Smashed by the Chiefs in Melbourne and then almost overrun by the Force last week, the Brumbies have been far from their best since the opening round, which has seen Stephen Larkham make several changes to face the Highlanders. Looking to finish strong, Larkham has chosen to push young Wallabies Blake Schoupp and Billy Pollard with James Slipper and Lachlan Lonergan to come off the bench. Meanwhile, Caderyn Neville will move into a starting role alongside Jahrome Brown with Darcy Swain to come off the bench. For the Highlanders captain Billy Harmon makes his return following disciplinary issues last week, while Cam Millar has been handed the No.10 jersey with Rhys Patchell rested.
Tip: Highlanders by 5
Chiefs vs.
Fijiana Drua
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 5:05pm [AEDT]
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Jimmy Tupou, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Reuben O'Neill, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Quinn Tupaea
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Michael Naitokani, Junior Ratuva, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Simione Kuruvoli, Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Mesake Vocevoce, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hete.
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Te Ahiwaru, Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Chiefs $1.07, -19.5 $1.85; Drua $7.50, +19.5 $1.90
Predictions: Suffering a shock loss to the Reds last week, the Chiefs have been given a timely boost with All Blacks Josh Lord and Quinn Tupaea making their return, admittedly via the bench. Etene Nanai-Seturo has also returned pushing Liam Coombes-Fabling out of the 23, while Shaun Stevenson moves to fullback and Anton Leinert-Brown slots into the centres. Up front, Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Jimmy Tupou move into the starting front row. Meanwhile for the Drua, they'll be flying high after they downed the Crusaders in front of a boisterous crowd and they've welcomed the return of Ilaisa Droasese into the starting 15 alongside Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua and Vilive Miramira.
Tip: Chiefs by 12
NSW Waratahs vs.
Blues
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7:35pm [AEDT]
Waratahs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Triston Reilly, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer.
Replacements: Jay Fonokalafi, Angus Bell, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Harry Wilson.
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Chrisite, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'i (capt), Akira Ioane, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Waratahs $3.40, +9.5 $1.85; Blues $1.28, -9.5 $1.90
Predictions: Falling at the death to the Highlanders, the Waratahs will need a strong showing to get over the Blues and it's just been made infinitely harder with Darren Coleman forced to scour club footy for a replacement hooker. After adding Mahe Vailanu to the injury list alongside Dave Poreckin and Theo Fourie, it's forced the quick elevation of young Julian Heaven into the starting role with Two Blues hooker Jay Fonokalafi coming onto the bench. Angus Bell has also been shuffled to the bench alongside Hugh Sinclair, while Lachlan Swinton makes his return from the bench. Out the back, Mark Nawaqanitawase has been shifted to fullback with Max Jorgensen ruled out. The Blues have also made several changes with No.8 Hoskins Sotutu and Caleb Clarke returning to the starting line-up alongside Bryce Heem at inside centre, while prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi also returns.
Tip: Blues by 5