Super Rugby Pacific round five teams: Queensland enforcer dreaming of illegal act against defector

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has added to some spice to Saturday's Super Rugby State of Origin clash by joking he wants to "head high" Taniela Tupou "off the ball" at Suncorp Stadium.

Tupou is now wearing NSW sky blue after representing Queensland for the majority of his career before a stint in Melbourne.

Reds enforcer Salakaia-Loto played with cult hero Tupou at both the Reds and the Rebels and they are also Wallabies teammates.

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"The things I'd do to head high this guy off the ball this weekend #NSWvQLD #XXXXXXXXXLsinglet," Salakaia-Loto, who is injured, wrote on social media along with a photo of Tupou in Waratahs kit.

Prop Tupou quickly responded.

"I would do the same but I know you're supporting me and the Tahs this week," he wrote.

READ ON FOR ALL THE ROUND FIVE SUPER RUGBY TEAM NEWS

Highlanders vs Hurricanes

FRI 14 March: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (7.05pm kickoff AEDT)

The Hurricanes, last year's minor premiers, have fallen from grace and sit stone cold last on the ladder after four rounds.

The return from injury of All Blacks front rowers Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax is timely then with both men named on the bench.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, TK Howden, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Tanielu Tele'a, Caleb Tangitau, Sam Gilbert

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jake Te Hiwi

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c) Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Hohepa, Fatafehi Fineanganofo

Referee: Angus Mabey

Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Glenn Newman

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ACT Brumbies vs Fijian Drua

FRI 14 March: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

The Drua are out for revenge against the Brumbies after Stephen Larkham's side notched a historic victory in Fiji in round one.

The Brumbies also upset the Blues at Eden Park last weekend and welcome back Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio from concussion.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Meli Derenalagi, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Loganimasi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu

Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Livai Natave, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu

Referee: Jordan Way

Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan

TMO: James Leckie

Crusaders vs Western Force

SAT 15 March: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (2.35pm kickoff AEDT)

The Crusaders made an ominous return to form on Sunday by belting the previously unbeaten Reds 43-19 in Christchurch.

They remain on home soil for a clash with the Force, who have a 2-2 record after losing 34-10 to the Waratahs in Sydney.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Aumua

FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Sam Carter, Josh Thompson, Henry Robertson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, George Myers

TMO: Brett Cronan

NEW PODCAST! Sean, Morgs and Burkey break down a massive weekend of rugby featuring major upsets and big name injuries

Chiefs vs Blues

Both teams are stinging to make amends for rare losses last weekend with the Chiefs stunned in Lautoka and the Blues rolled in Auckland.

The Chiefs beat the Blues 25-14 in round one at Eden Park and welcome back stars Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson.

SAT 15 March: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, Jimmy Tupou, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona

BLUES (1-15): Jordan Lay, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Cam Christie, Dalton Papali'i, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Corey Evans

Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

TMO: Glenn Newman

Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs

SAT 15 March: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Hunter Paisami and Tom Lynagh return to the Reds backline for Saturday night's blockbuster against the Waratahs.

Teddy Wilson will start at halfback for NSW after captain Jake Gordon suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for a month.

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray

Replacements: Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway

Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Richard Kelly