Super Rugby Pacific round 16 team news: All Blacks, Crusaders rocked by captain's back surgery reveal

The defending champion Crusaders have lost two All Blacks stars to injury for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

But the ACT Brumbies welcome back one of their leading lights as they try to climb the standings and earn a home qualifying final.

Read on for all the round 16 team news.

Watch the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport

Crusaders v Hurricanes

FRI 29 MAY: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie will need a new captain after incumbent Scott Barrett was ruled out of rugby for 3-5 months.

The Crusaders lock requires back surgery and will miss the Nations Championship home Tests in July and the All Blacks' tour of South Africa in August-September.

Barrett will also be touch and go for the Bledisloe Cup in October.

"He has tried every non-invasive trick you could do to get right and it just hasn't come off, so he'll be in the operating theatre by the end of the week," Crusaders coach Rob Penney said.

"He's got his head around it now - a pretty special trip to South Africa that he's going to miss and some other bits and pieces. But ultimately, he's just got to get himself right."

Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor and Jordie Barrett - Scott's brother - are leadership options for Rennie in his first game in charge against France in Christchurch.

Another Crusaders star, Will Jordan, is in doubt for that match with a calf injury that carries a 4-6 week recovery timeline.

The defending champion Crusaders have secured a playoffs berth but are trying to book in a home qualifying final by finishing third.

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The Hurricanes can't be dislodged from top spot and have named a radically reshaped side that features the return from injury of Test guns Cam Roigard and Tyrel Lomax.

Roigard starts at halfback after missing the previous three games due to a calf injury while Lomax (ankle) returns at tighthead prop after being sidelined for two months.

"We were obviously delighted to lock up top spot last weekend. Going down to Christchurch, we've picked up a few injuries and niggles, which has allowed us to pick a different team," Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.

"It's a real balancing act around some men who have been injured and need rugby, and some fellas to continue with their consistency."

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio‑Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Liam Jack, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Cooper Roberts

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu, Tyrel Lomax, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Cooper Flanders, Arese Poliko, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Kini Naholo, Jone Rova, Josh Timu, Taniela Filimone, Josh Moorby

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Tom Allen, Matolu Petaia, Jordi Viljoen, Lucas Cashmore, Bailyn Sullivan

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley

TMO: Brett Cronan

Queensland Reds v Fijian Drua

FRI 29 MAY: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

Teenage Reds star Treyvon Pritchard will start at fullback as Jock Campbell gets a well earned rest for a "minor niggle."

Pritchard's positional switch allows Lachie Anderson to start on the right wing as finals-bound Queensland try to finish as high as fourth on the ladder.

"The Fijian Drua are a dangerous proposition. We are not in control of the permutations for the finals so all our focus is on addressing this game and getting the win," Reds coach Les Kiss said.

"The Drua showed with their win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra how strong they are. They are extremely tough customers at the breakdown with the turnovers they force and everyone knows they can counter-attack from anywhere if you let them.

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Treyvon Pritchard

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Vaiuta Latu, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Filipo Daugunu

DRUA (1-15): Meli Tuni, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (c), Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines Leleiwasa, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Manasa Mataele, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Joseva Tamani, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Simione Kuruvoli, Virimi Vakatawa

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore

TMO: Glenn Newman

ACT Brumbies v Moana Pasifika

SAT 30 MAY: GIO Stadium, Canberra (2.35pm kickoff AEST)

The ACT Brumbies have been boosted by the return of Charlie Cale at No.8 for their final regular season match.

Cale enjoyed an electric start to the season, scoring nine tries in seven matches before a shoulder injury against the Highlanders.

The fifth-placed Brumbies can finish as high as third with a win - which would mean hosting a qualifying final.

It will be Moana Pasifika's final game in the competition and will be an emotional occasion.

"We've got nothing to lose and we've got to be confident in what we're doing," Moana coach Tana Umaga said.

"We're not going over there just to make up some numbers, we want to go over there and get a good result for ourselves. Everything that we have done at our club and what we have tried to portray, we were unapologetically Pacific and some people really resonated with that and they enjoyed that. That's just us being us."

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Lachlan Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton

MOANA (1-15): Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Allan Craig, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Faletoi Peni, Solomon Alaimalo, Israel Leota, William Havili

Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Paula Latu, Alefosio Aho, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Melani Matavao, Tevita Latu, Tuna Tuitama

Referee: Jordan Way

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey

TMO: James Leckie

Chiefs v Blues

SAT 30 APR: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

Wallace Sititi will captain the Chiefs for the first time in Luke Jacobson's absence.

The Chiefs are already assured of second place and a home qualifying final next week.

"We've earned the right to manage the team how we want to thanks to the efforts of everyone through the season," Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said.

"It means we can freshen some guys up, but we also know that the intensity of the playoffs means injuries are possible so it's good to be able to give more players an opportunity so when called upon, everyone is ready to play.

"The Blues in Hamilton is a massive fixture and a game we always want to do well in."

The Blues are sitting third on the ladder and are looking to secure a home qualifying final.

Josh Beehre returns from a back injury to start at lock alongside Sam Darry, with Patrick Tuipulotu sitting out the game due to a neck injury.

Stephen Perofeta shifts into the No.10 jersey with Beauden Barrett unavailable through a quad strain.

"Every week at this stage of the season carries significance and this one is no different. Our focus is on ourselves this week and executing our game plan," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.

"We know what's on the line heading into Hamilton and we're excited by the opportunity. The Chiefs are a quality side and playing them away is always a huge challenge."

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Tyrone Thompson, George Dyer, Seuseu Naotia Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Wallace Sititi (c), Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Kyren Taumoefolau, Reon Paul, Daniel Rona, Daniel Sinkinson, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Benet Kumeroa, Keran van Staden, Fiti Sa, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi

BLUES (1-15): Mason Tupaea, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner (c), Malachi Wrampling, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Joshua Fusitu'a, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Codemeru Vai

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan

TMO: Graham Cooper

Western Force v NSW Waratahs

SAT 30 MAY: HBF Park, Perth (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

The Western Force welcome back star duo Ben Donaldson and George Bridge for Saturday's season-ending clash with the NSW Waratahs at HBF Park.

Donaldson has missed the past two games due to a quad injury but returns to start at fly-half.

Bridge is back into the starting XV at outside centre after missing last week.

The Waratahs have made six changes to their starting line-up with Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, Joey Walton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all coming in.

Neither team can qualify for the finals.

"Joseph is a rugby player and when he's fit to play rugby, he plays. It's good to have him back," NSW coach Dan McKellar said.

"I think he's been disappointed that he hasn't been able string games together during his time at the club so far. Hopefully, off the back of a really good couple of weeks' of training, he gets out there on Saturday night and just enjoys being back in the Waratahs jersey."

FORCE (1-15): Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vailoni Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa'agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Boston Fakafanua, Kurtley Beale

WARATAHS (1-15): Jack Barrett, Ioane Moananu, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Angus Scott-Young, Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Bowen, Andrew Kellaway, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen

Replacements: Oniti Finau, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Ben Grant, Clem Halaholo, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly

Referee: Marcus Playle

Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Ollie Kellett

BYE: Highlanders