Super Rugby: Round 10 Team News - Wallabies star Tom Wright returns for Brumbies

Moana's incoming match-up against the Waratahs is one of five high-octane clashes set to ignite the league this weekend in the tenth round of the regular season. With the rosters nailed down for the incoming quintet of fixtures, here's RUCK's latest run down of the team news.

Kick-off: 19:05 NZT, Friday 17 April, Eden Park, Auckland

Blues have been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu for their Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday night (7:05pm NZT). Tuipulotu makes his first appearance of the 2026 season after recovering from shoulder surgery and leads a side strengthened by the return of several senior forwards.

Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu also come straight into the starting back row after injury lay-offs, while Mason Tupaea is promoted to start at loosehead prop. Head coach Vern Cotter has welcomed the trio back as key leadership figures return to the pack at an important stage of the campaign. In the backline, Codemeru Vai shifts to the wing with Caleb Clarke ruled out, while Beauden Barrett continues to steer the side from fly-half alongside Finlay Christie at scrum-half.

The Highlanders arrive in Auckland looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat to the Brumbies, making only minimal changes to their starting XV. Te Kamaka Howden moves into the second row, allowing Sean Withy to return at blindside flanker, while Adam Lennox earns a first start of the season at scrum-half. Taine Robinson remains at full-back after an assured performance last week.

There is also a milestone for Withy, who brings up his 50th Super Rugby appearance for the Highlanders, while exciting winger Xavier Tito-Harris is in line for a potential debut from the bench. Full-back Finn Hurley also returns among the replacements as Jamie Joseph’s side look to respond at Eden Park.

Blues (1–15):
1 Mason Tupaea, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5 Sam Darry, 6 Anton Seger, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Beauden Barrett, 11 Codemeru Vai, 12 Xavi Taele, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Replacements:
16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Ben Ake, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Malachi Wrampling, 22 Taufa Funaki, 23 Pita Ahki

Highlanders (1–15):
1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 4 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Sean Withy, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Adam Lennox, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Taine Robinson

Replacements:
16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Lucas Casey, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Xavier Tito-Harris, 23 Finn Hurley

Kick-off: 19:35 AEST, Friday 17 April, Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

NSW Waratahs have named back-rower Angus Scott-Young in the starting XV for the first time ahead of their Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific clash with Moana Pasifika at Allianz Stadium on Friday night (7:35pm AEST). Scott-Young, who arrived in late 2025 after a stint with Northampton Saints, has made two appearances off the bench and now earns a first start in a reshuffled back row.

Head coach Dan McKellar has also recalled Jake Gordon at scrum-half and Lawson Creighton at inside centre, adding further experience to the backline. Scott-Young’s inclusion sees Charlie Gamble retain his place at openside, while Pete Samu reaches a major milestone with his 150th provincial appearance at number eight. The Waratahs continue with a settled front five, while Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Sid Harvey combine again in the back three.

Moana Pasifika arrive in Sydney with renewed confidence and attacking firepower, headlined by the return of halfback Melani Matavao and versatile playmaker Jonathan Taumateine from injury. Patrick Pellegrini starts at fly-half after an impressive performance against the Chiefs, while Tuna Tuitama returns on the wing to add pace and finishing ability. Head coach Tana Umaga has also reinforced the pack with Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua and Semisi Paea all coming into the starting forward unit.

Moana Pasifika have enjoyed strong recent results against the Waratahs, winning three of their last four encounters, and will again look to challenge through physical ball-carrying and sharp strike play out wide. The Waratahs, meanwhile, are targeting a more consistent performance at home as they look to build momentum in the middle phase of the season.

NSW Waratahs (1–15):
1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Daniel Botha, 4 Matt Philip (c), 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Pete Samu, 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Lawson Creighton, 13 Joey Walton, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 15 Sid Harvey

Replacements:
16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Clem Halaholo, 21 Jamie Adamson, 22 Teddy Wilson, 23 Triston Reilly

Moana Pasifika (1–15):
1 Abraham Pole, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 3 Chris Apoua, 4 Tom Savage, 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7 Semisi Paea, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9 Melani Matavao, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Glen Vaihu, 12 Tevita Latu, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 15 William Havili

Replacements:
16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Faletoi Peni, 23 Tyle Pulini

Kick-off: 19:05, Saturday 18 April, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.

Chiefs have named a special milestone matchday squad for their Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific showdown with the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday (7:05pm). Captain Luke Jacobson will bring up his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the 14th centurion in Chiefs history in a landmark occasion at home in Hamilton.

Jacobson leads a settled forward pack featuring Samisoni Taukei’aho and Damian McKenzie among the side’s senior core, while Quinn Tupaea shifts into midfield as the Chiefs look to maintain continuity in their backline structure. Head coach Jono Gibbes praised Jacobson’s leadership and consistency, with the openside flanker continuing to set standards in a side chasing a statement win at the top end of the table. Wallace Sititi returns to the matchday 23 from the bench after injury, adding further impact options in a six-two split.

The Hurricanes arrive in strong form after a dominant win over the Blues and have made just one change to their starting XV. Isaia Walker-Leawere comes into the second row alongside Warner Dearns, while the rest of the pack and backline remains unchanged as head coach Clark Laidlaw leans on continuity. Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai anchor a powerful back row, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continuing their half-back partnership.

The visitors also retain their settled midfield combination of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor, while Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo provide pace out wide. The Hurricanes bench includes several reinforcements in the forward pack, as they look to challenge the Chiefs’ physical edge in what is expected to be a high-intensity encounter between two title contenders.

Chiefs (1–15):
1 Ollie Norris, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6 Samipeni Finau, 7 Luke Jacobson (c) (100th match), 8 Simon Parker, 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 Reon Paul, 13 Quinn Tupaea (vc), 14 Leroy Carter, 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements:
16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Fiti Sa, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Wallace Sititi, 22 Xavier Roe, 23 Josh Jacomb

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

Replacements:
16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Caleb Delany, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Brayden Iose, 22 Ereatara Enari, 23 Jone Rova

Kick-off: 10:35, Saturday 18 April, GIO Stadium, Canberra

ACT Brumbies have named a strengthened side for their Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium on Saturday, headlined by the return of Wallabies fullback Tom Wright. Wright makes his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury last year, slotting straight back into the starting XV in a major boost for the Canberra side.

Head coach Stephen Larkham has also kept faith with a settled core, with James Slipper, Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa forming a powerful front row. Ryan Lonergan captains the side from scrum-half, while Rob Valetini and Luke Reimer continue on the flanks in a physical forward pack designed to meet the Drua challenge head-on. Wright joins Corey Toole and Ollie Sapsford in an experienced back three as the Brumbies look to consolidate their position in the competition.

The Fijian Drua arrive in Canberra with a milestone of their own, as prop Samuela Tawake brings up his 50th appearance for the franchise. Head coach Glen Jackson has also welcomed back co-captain Temo Mayanavanua from injury, strengthening the engine room as the visitors look to challenge the Brumbies at altitude. The Drua backline remains dangerous and unchanged in key areas, with Virimi Vakatawa continuing to guide the midfield and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula directing play at fly-half.

The visitors will also look to their trademark attacking width and physical breakdown presence, with a settled pack featuring Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama and Tawake in the front row, and a dynamic back row led by Kitione Salawa and Isoa Tuwai. Both sides come into the fixture with contrasting strengths, setting up a high-intensity contest in the Australian capital.

ACT Brumbies (1–15):
1 James Slipper, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Luke Reimer, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 10 Declan Meredith, 11 Corey Toole, 12 David Feliuai, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 15 Tom Wright

Replacements:
16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Toby MacPherson, 20 Rory Scott, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andy Muirhead

Fijian Drua (1–15):
1 Emosi Tuqiri, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 3 Samuela Tawake, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (c), 6 Etonia Waqa, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Isoa Tuwai, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11 Manasa Mataele, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14 Isikeli Basiyalo, 15 Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements:
16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Penaia Cakobau, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Joseva Tamani, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Inia Tabuavou

Kick-off: 19:55 WST, Saturday 18 April, HBF Park, Perth.

The Western Force will welcome back three Wallabies to their starting XV for Saturday night’s Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders at HBF Park (kick-off 7:55pm WST), with Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Carlo Tizzano all returning from lay-offs in a major boost for the Perth side. Recent recruit Zac Lomax also comes into the run-on team for his first start on the right wing after impressing off the bench last week, while scrum-half Nathan Hastie returns to the matchday squad among the reserves.

The Force have also included a major milestone story on the bench, with Harry Johnson-Holmes set to bring up his 100th Super Rugby appearance when called upon. The front row sees Robertson pack down alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Misinale Epenisa, while skipper Jeremy Williams and Swain form the second-row pairing. Tizzano slots back into the openside role alongside Nick Champion de Crespigny and Vaiolini Ekuasi in the back row.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, head to Perth with Christian Lio-Willie handed the captaincy in the absence of David Havili, with the loose forward leading a side looking to respond after a narrow loss last round. Louie Chapman earns a start at scrum-half, while Macca Springer returns to the left wing after a long injury layoff. Dallas McLeod takes on vice-captaincy duties in the midfield, with the visitors also naming Kershawl Sykes-Martin on the bench as they add fresh forward cover.

The visitors are otherwise settled in the pack, with Lio-Willie anchoring the back row and Jamie Hannah and Tahlor Cahill forming the second-row partnership. Leicester Fainga’anuku and Johnny McNicholl provide strike power in the back three, as the Crusaders look to re-establish momentum away from home.

Western Force (1–15):

1 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Misinale Epenisa, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 5 Darcy Swain, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9 Henry Robertson, 10 Ben Donaldson (vc), 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Bayley Kuenzle, 13 George Bridge, 14 Zac Lomax, 15 Mac Grealy

Replacements:
16 Nic Dolly, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Kurtley Beale

Crusaders (1–15):

1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Seb Calder, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Johnny Lee, 8 Christian Lio-Willie (c), 9 Louie Chapman, 10 Taha Kemara, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Dallas McLeod (vc), 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Johnny McNicholl

Replacements:
16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Sevu Reece