Round 10 teams: Zac Lomax wins promotion against Super Rugby champs as fellow flyer Tom Wright returns from ACL tear

Zac Lomax will make his first Super Rugby start against the might of the defending champion Crusaders in Perth on Saturday night.

The former NRL star impressed off the bench in his Western Force debut against Fijian Drua last weekend.

Read on for all the round 10 team news.

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

Blues v Highlanders

FRI 17 April: Eden Park, Auckland (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

The Blues have been bolstered by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu for their against the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday night.

In a major boost for the side, Tuipulotu will make his first appearance of 2026 after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

His return headlines a trio of key additions, with Test loose forwards Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu also named to start after overcoming back and knee injuries respectively.

"Having Patrick back is massive for us. He's a leader who drives standards on and off the field. You can feel the lift in the group with him back out on the field," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.

"Dalton and Hoskins have both worked hard through their rehab and also bring huge experience and leadership back into our group."

BLUES (1-15): Mason Tupaea, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Codemeru Vai, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Kurt Eklind, Ben Ake, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Pita Akhi

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Te Kemaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Taniela Tele'a, Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Xavier Tito-Harris, Finn Hurley

Referee: Jordan Way

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey

TMO: James Leckie

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NSW Waratahs v Moana Pasifika

FRI 17 April: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be at Allianz Stadium on Friday night as the NSW Waratahs host Moana Pasifika in Sydney.

It promises to be an emotional night after Moana announced this season would be their last.

The Waratahs are eighth and desperately need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Back-rower Angus Scott-Young has been named in the NSW starting lineup for the first time.

"Moana Pasifika will be a significant challenge for us," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.

"They're big, powerful men, who have got the ability to be really dangerous off turnover ball and can go front door or they can go the back door.

"We need to get our game right, but make sure we front up and are ready for what's going to be a really physical contest.

"Angus is a very reliable, physical and experienced player. It's just taken him a few weeks to get back in the team, play an A game for us and get some good training weeks on board. I was always going to give him an opportunity at some point in time."

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey

Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly

MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Jimmy Tupou, Ola Tauelangi, Jonathan Taumateine, Faletoi Peni, Tyler Pulini

Referee: Angus Mabey

Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Ben Woolerton

TMO: Aaron Paterson

Chiefs v Hurricanes

SAT 18 April: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

Captain Luke Jacobson will become the 14th centurion in Chiefs history on Saturday night, when they welcome the Hurricanes to Hamilton.

Jacobson debuted for the Chiefs in 2018 and was named captain in 2024.

"Luke will join a special group of great Chiefs men on Saturday," Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said.

"It's a testament to his longevity, his work ethic, and his professionalism for him to reach this milestone. He's constantly setting and maintaining standards in our environment, and keeping everyone accountable as leaders should. It'll be a special occasion for him and for our club."

All Blacks star Wallace Sititi returns via the bench.

Sititi has been out of action since a hamstring injury suffered in round three.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has made just one change to the starting lineup for the top-of-the-table clash, with lock Isaia Walker-Leawere replacing Caleb Delany.

Both teams have six forwards and just two backs on their benches.

"It's a hugely exciting weekend to go up to the Chiefs, who have played particularly well over the past few weeks," Laidlaw said.

"They have probably the strongest forward pack we've faced. They're full of All Blacks, so we're well aware of the threat they pose, but we're confident in the way we're playing. We've got a settled squad to build on the cohesion from last week against the Blues, but we expect the Chiefs to be highly motivated and it should be a great game."

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Reon Paul, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Fiti Sa, Kaylum Boshier, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Todd Petire, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Richard Kelly

ACT Brumbies v Fijian Drua

SAT 18 April: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

ACT Brumbies star Tom Wright will make his long-awaited return in Saturday night's showdown with the Drua in Canberra.

Wright tore his ACL against the Springboks last year and will start at fullback in place of Andy Muirhead.

"It was definitely a challenge. It saw me take a little bit of time to reflect," Wright said of the long time on the sidelines.

"I suppose coming home to get surgery straight away, in hindsight, was probably the best thing, so I wasn't mulling on it, and then the focus actually went to the physical part of getting everything started.

"I've got a young one who is just shy of two when I got home from surgery, so I had my hands full there, too, which again took my mind off the external noise and pressure."

The in-form Charlie Cale will miss the clash as he undergoes assessment on a shoulder injury, with Tuaina Taii Tualima named to start at No.8 in his place.

Flanker Luke Reimer is rewarded with a start after strong performances off the bench, replacing Rory Scott.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby MacPherson, Rory Scott, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Andy Muirhead

DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Temo Mayanavanua (c), Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatava, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Isikeli Basiyalo, Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Penaia Cakobau, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Joseva Tamani, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Glenn Newman

Western Force v Crusaders

SAT 18 April: HBF Park, Perth (9.55pm kickoff AEST)

Zac Lomax will make his first Super Rugby start against the might of the defending champion Crusaders in Perth on Saturday night.

Lomax will start on the right wing with George Bridge shifting to outside centre.

Force coach Simon Cron wants to bring Lomax into the game early and bemoaned one or two failed opportunities in his debut to unleash the former NRL tryscoring machine.

"He's just finding his feet," Cron said.

"He didn't get much opportunity... we didn't give him the ball a whole lot down those edges, so he'll be disappointed he didn't get a lot of ball."

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Bayley Kuenzle, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa'agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Hamish Stewart, Kurtley Beale

CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie (c), Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece

Referee: Reuben Keane

Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Louis Trisley

TMO: Brett Cronan

BYE: Queensland Reds