The Hurricanes (7) will be looking for a return to form to topple the NSW Wararahs (4) and get back into top 6; ACT Brumbies (5) host the Highlanders (8) who need to win to stay in touch with top 6; the in form Crusaders (2) host Moana Pasifika (11), while the round finishes with an all-Australia clash when the Queensland Reds (3) host the Western Force (6) in Brisbane.
Fixtures
All times local - home team
FRIDAY
Hurricanes v NSW Waratahs @ SKY Stadium, Wellington (7.05pm)
ACT Brumbies v Highlanders @ GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm)
SATURDAY
Crusaders v Moana Pasifika @ Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (7.05pm)
Queensland Reds v Western Force @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (6.35pm)
NSW Waratahs star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to return to the side after overcoming a foot injury.
Suaalii took part in training as the side prepared to head to Wellington for Friday's clash with the Hurricanes.
The four-Test Wallaby debuted for the Waratahs against the Highlanders and has not featured since after picking up the injury during the opening-round win.
"Joe's trained well; it was a tough session today," Waratahs assistant coach Mike Catt said to the media, confirming his availability for selection.
"He's had a good four weeks off, cleared the head and mind and he's got all the afterburners on."
It leaves Waratahs coach Dan McKellar with an interesting selection headache amid a plethora of options.
Triston Reilly and Max Jorgensen were both superb on the weekend in the win over the Brumbies, whilst Darby Lancaster returned from injury via the Waratahs A side.
On top of this, the Waratahs are due to rest players in the coming weeks, with Jorgensen and fullback Andrew Kellaway among those needing to take a week off before their next home game against the Chiefs in mid-April.
"It's what we want. We want the Triston Reilly's and the Darby's (Lancaster) to come through to put pressure on the guys that have come back," Catt believes.
"The beauty about the resting is Dan's known about that from day one. That's all been in the planning. We know it's happening.
"It's good for the player to have that rest not just physically but mentally and emotionally too for them to rejig and go again.
"So we're very fortunate at the moment to have back three players that are performing exceptionally well with a few young guys like Archie Saunders and those guys pushing up from the younger grades.
"It's good competition but the big boys have stepped up which is great."
Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific saw several players notch up big hauls as the stars stepped up.
Damian McKenzie was amongst the big point-scorers with a perfect score but it's Tom Hooper who they're all chasing as he picked up another five-pointer.
In 2025, Super Rugby Pacific will crown the competition's most outstanding player with the presentation of the inaugural Player of the Year Award.
The captains and head coaches of both teams nominate their top three players from the opposing team each week, allocating three votes, two votes, and one vote, respectively.
Here is how they voted:
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
6 - Damian McKenzie (CHI)
3 - Samipeni Finau (CHI), Lalomilo Lalomilo (MOA), Patrick Pellegrini (MOA), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (CHI)
2 - Shaun Stevenson (CHI), Chris Apoua (MOA)
1 - Leroy Carter (CHI), William Havili (MOA)
Highlanders v Queensland Reds
6 - Alex Hodgman (RED)
3 - Nathan Hastie (HIG), Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG), Tanielu Tele’a (HIG), Filipo Daugunu (RED)
2 - Veveni Lasaqa (HIG), Harry Wilson (RED)
1 - Caleb Tangitau (HIG), Kalani Thomas (RED)
Crusaders v Blues
4 - David Havili (CRU)
3 - Christian Lio-Willie (CRU), Tamaiti Williams (CRU), Rieko Ioane (BLU), Cam Christie (BLU)
2 - Antonio Shalfoon (CRU), Finlay Christie (BLU), Dalton Papali’i (BLU)
1 - Mark Telea (BLU), Xavi Taele (BLU)
NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies
5 - Tom Hooper (BRU)
4 - Teddy Wilson (WAR)
3 - Triston Reilly (WAR), Joey Walton (WAR), Nick Frost (BRU), Allan Alaalatoa (BRU)
1 - Lawson Creighton (WAR), Andrew Kellaway (WAR), Len Ikitau (BRU)
Western Force v Fijian Drua
5 - Elia Canakaivata (DRU), Etonia Waqa (DRU)
4 - Carlo Tizzano (FOR)
3 - Mac Grealy (FOR), Nic Dolly (FOR)
2 - Ben Donaldson (FOR)
1 - Iliasa Droasese (DRU), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (DRU)
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