The Hurricanes have named a settled side for their blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific encounter against the Blues in Wellington on Saturday, making just two changes to the team that dismantled the Reds 52-14 a fortnight ago.

Key team news:

• Callum Harkin returns from concussion to start at fullback, pushing Josh Moorby to the right wing
• Pasilio Tosi starts at tighthead prop in the only other change to the starting XV
• Raymond Tuputupu named on the bench for his first appearance of the season
• Both teams locked on 25 points at the top of the standings
• Heritage Round fixture with fans on field at the end of the match

Coming into this week’s top-of-the-table encounter following last week’s bye, head coach Clark Laidlaw has kept faith with the core of his team. The forward pack remains largely unchanged, with Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns retained in the second row, while blindside flanker Devan Flanders, co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi, and No 8 Peter Lakai make up the loose forward trio.

In the backline, the halves partnership of Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continues, as does the midfield combination of co-captain Jordie Barrett and centre Billy Proctor. Fehi Fineanganofo stays on the left wing.

The return of Harkin at fullback represents the most significant change to the backline. The youngster cleared return-to-play protocols earlier this week and slots straight back into the starting XV, allowing the versatile Moorby to shift out wide.

On the bench, hooker Raymond Tuputupu is in line to make his first appearance of the season. He joins tighthead prop Tevita Mafileo and veteran loose forward Brad Shields as new figures among the replacements.

Laidlaw said his side is ready for the challenge that awaits at Hnry Stadium. Both teams enter the contest in strong form, riding four-game winning streaks and refreshed from the bye week.

The Hurricanes are without several players through injury, most notably tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax, who remains sidelined with an ankle issue.

Hurricanes team to face Blues:

15. Callum Harkin
14. Josh Moorby
13. Billy Proctor
12. Jordie Barrett (co-c)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo
10. Ruben Love
9. Cam Roigard
8. Peter Lakai
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c)
6. Devan Flanders
5. Warner Dearns
4. Caleb Delany
3. Pasilio Tosi
2. Asafo Aumua
1. Xavier Numia

Replacements: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Siale Lauaki, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Brayden Iose, 22. Ereatara Enari, 23. Jone Rova

Match details: Hurricanes v Blues, Hnry Stadium, Wellington. Saturday 11 April 2026, 7:05pm NZST. Live on Sky Sport NZ.

The ACT Brumbies have named an experienced side for their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday night.

Key team news:

• Ryan Lonergan captains the side from halfback
• James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa anchor the front row
• Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker with Charlie Cale at No 8
• Corey Toole on the left wing with Andy Muirhead at fullback
• Tom Wright unavailable through knee injury

The Brumbies return to action after their bye week, travelling to Dunedin to face the Highlanders in the round opener. Captain Ryan Lonergan leads the side from halfback, partnering Declan Meredith at fly-half.

In the forwards, the experienced front row of James Slipper, Billy Pollard, and Allan Alaalatoa provides a formidable set piece platform. Nick Frost and Lachlan Shaw combine in the locking positions.

The loose forward trio features Rob Valetini at blindside, Rory Scott at openside, and Charlie Cale at No 8, offering a blend of power and workrate.

In the midfield, David Feliuai and Kadin Pritchard combine in the centres, while the back three features Corey Toole on the left wing, Ollie Sapsford on the right, and Andy Muirhead at fullback.

Tom Wright remains unavailable with a knee injury, while Rhys van Nek (thumb), Dan Nelson (fibula), and Kye Oates (leg) are also sidelined.

The bench features Lachlan Lonergan, providing the Brumbies with experienced options across all positions.

Brumbies team to face Highlanders:

15. Andy Muirhead
14. Ollie Sapsford
13. Kadin Pritchard
12. David Feliuai
11. Corey Toole
10. Declan Meredith
9. Ryan Lonergan (c)
8. Charlie Cale
7. Rory Scott
6. Rob Valetini
5. Lachlan Shaw
4. Nick Frost
3. Allan Alaalatoa
2. Billy Pollard
1. James Slipper

Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Toby MacPherson, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Hudson Creighton

Match details: Highlanders v ACT Brumbies, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Friday 10 April 2026, 7:05pm NZST / 5:05pm AEST. Live on Stan Sport.

Shannon Frizell is heading home. The Highlanders confirmed on Tuesday that the 33-Test All Black will return to Dunedin for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, ending a successful stint in Japan as he targets a place in New Zealand’s squad for the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Key facts:

• Frizell, 32, has signed with New Zealand Rugby and will rejoin the Highlanders for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season
• The blindside flanker will be available for Tasman in the 2026 NPC from mid-year
• He has won back-to-back Japan Rugby League One titles with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in 2024 and 2025
• Frizell’s last All Blacks appearance was in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa
• He has 68 Highlanders caps and 33 Test caps for New Zealand

The Tongan-born loose forward’s contract with New Zealand Rugby will see him arrive back in the country in mid-2026, making him available to represent Tasman in the NPC before linking up with the Highlanders the following year. The timing is significant: it should see Frizell become eligible for All Blacks selection for the November internationals, giving him roughly twelve months to press his case with new head coach Dave Rennie ahead of the World Cup.

Frizell departs Japan as a two-time champion. Since joining Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo after the 2023 World Cup, the powerful blindside flanker has been instrumental in the club’s dominance, helping secure back-to-back Japan Rugby League One titles in 2024 and 2025. He made an immediate impact in his first season, scoring five tries in his opening three matches including a remarkable four-try haul against Kobelco Kobe Steelers. His form earned him selection for the ANZAC XV that faced the touring British & Irish Lions in Australia last year.

It is a homecoming laden with both sentiment and ambition. Frizell made his Highlanders debut in 2018 as an impact substitute against the Stormers and went on to earn All Blacks selection later that same year. He amassed 68 appearances in the blue, gold and maroon before heading overseas, and his return will add significant firepower to Jamie Joseph’s forward pack.

The Highlanders head coach welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm. “Shannon returning to the Highlanders is a real bonus for the club, and it’s great to see a seasoned international player prepared to return to Super Rugby to have a crack at making the All Blacks,” Joseph said. “He knows our culture well, he’s a hard-working player, and he’ll fit seamlessly into our team.”

Frizell’s Test pedigree is beyond question. He started five matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, including an 80-minute, two-try performance in the semi-final victory over Argentina. He also started the final against South Africa, though that match ended in heartbreak with a narrow 12–11 defeat in Paris — Frizell was yellow-carded in just the second minute of that encounter.

His return adds an intriguing dimension to the competition for New Zealand’s number six jersey. No player has locked down the starting blindside role since Frizell’s departure, with Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Simon Parker all given opportunities with varying degrees of success. While Sititi was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2024 after impressive performances from blindside, he spent much of 2025 at number eight following Ardie Savea’s shift to openside.

Rennie, who previously coached in Japan with the Kobe Steelers, will have been monitoring Frizell’s form closely. The loose forward has missed much of the current Japanese season with a broken hand but is expected to return for the League One playoffs, where Toshiba will be chasing a third consecutive title under coach Todd Blackadder.

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark emphasised the importance of the signing to the club’s long-term project. “Over the last few seasons the club has worked hard at rebuilding and growing the talent pool we believe we need to be competitive in one of the toughest professional leagues in the world,” Clark said. “The arrival of Shannon will give further impetus to that, and it’s exciting news for our fans to welcome back a player of his calibre.”

NZR Interim Chief Executive Steve Lancaster echoed the sentiment, highlighting the broader significance of experienced players returning to domestic rugby. “We’re really pleased to have Shannon returning to New Zealand and look forward to seeing him back in action in the NPC later this year,” Lancaster said. “Any time a player with international experience comes home is a boost to the game here and it’s great to see Shannon’s desire to represent his provincial union, Super Rugby club and country remains as strong as ever.”

Frizell follows a path already trodden by his Toshiba teammate Richie Mo’unga, who signed an 18-month contract with NZR last year and remains committed to playing at the 2027 World Cup despite Scott Robertson’s departure as All Blacks coach in January. The pair’s returns underscore the magnetic pull of a home World Cup for New Zealand’s overseas contingent.

At 32, Frizell is entering the final chapter of his international career. But with his physicality as a ball-carrier, his lineout presence, and his big-match experience, he arrives back in Super Rugby with plenty still to offer — and a World Cup mission to accomplish.