Super Rugby Pacific round three team news: Wallabies legend addresses All Blacks rumours; Foketi to make Chiefs debut

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has addressed rumours linking him to an All Blacks coaching role after naming his team to host the Blues on Friday.

And ex-Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi is in line to make a debut for his hometown Chiefs in their blockbuster rematch with the Crusaders.

Read on for all the Super Rugby Pacific round three team news.

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

Moana Pasifika v Western Force

FRI 27 FEB: Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

Moana coach Tana Umaga has recalled captain Miracle Faiilagi to his starting side to host the Force in round three.

Faiilagi came off the bench in the heavy loss to the Hurricanes last weekend.

Force coach Simon Cron has named Darby Lancaster to make his club debut on the right wing while hooker Nic Dolly is fit again and will start at hooker.

Argentina halfback Agustin Moyano is in line for his Super Rugby debut off the bench

MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Ofa, Glen Vaihu

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleiva, Ola Tauelangi, Tupou Afungia, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Agustin Moyano, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter

TMO: Aaron Paterson

Queensland Reds v Highlanders

FRI 27 FEB: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

The Reds suddenly look like a far more formidable outfit after welcoming back five Wallabies to their matchday 23.

Test captain Harry Wilson and NRL returnee Carter Gordon will both start against the Highlanders while outside back Filipo Daugunu, hooker Josh Nasser and halfback Kalani Thomas will come off the bench.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made just two changes to his starting side.

Will Stodart replaces Oliver Haig at lock while Adam Lennox comes in at halfback for Folau Fakatava.

"The Reds are coming off a bye and they've got a proud record at home," Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said.

"Our game is growing, and we're working hard on the small details that will help us deliver a more complete 80 minute performance. We'll need that level of accuracy and intensity if we're going to get the job done on Friday."

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter

TMO: Aaron Paterson

NEW PODCAST! Michael Atkinson and Sam Worthington tackle the Stephen Larkham rumours and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's slow start to the season

Fijian Drua v Hurricanes

SAT 28 FEB: Churchill Park, Lautoka (2.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Drua coach Glen Jackson has named Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova to make his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes.

Nasova, 25, has been named on the right wing.

The Hurricanes will be steered at No.10 by Callum Harkin, who replaces the injured Brett Cameron.

Harkin's switch sees winger Josh Moorby move to fullback, Bailyn Sullivan to the right wing and Billy Proctor get his first start of the season at outside centre.

"We know what we're walking into with their home record, certainly in Lautoka and it being a day game," Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.

"That's really sharpened our attention and preparation. We've been preparing throughout the pre-season for the conditions, so we're ready to play in front of their passionate home fans.

"We also know they've had a slow start to the year, and they're going to be really keen to get back on track with a home game against us, so we're certainly under no illusions about what we're heading into."

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Joji Nasova, Ilaisa Droasese

Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou

HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Ngane Punivai

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Maggie Cogger-Orr

TMO: Richard Kelly

Chiefs v Crusaders

SAT FEB 28: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

Former Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi is set to make his Chiefs debut after being named on the bench to host the Crusaders.

Foketi was born in Hamilton before moving to Australia.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, have lost hooker Codie Taylor to a rib injury.

Manumaua Letiu comes onto the bench for a replay of last year's final, won by the Crusaders.

The Crusaders are 0-2 after getting spanked by the Brumbies.

"We're better than what we showed last week, and this team reflects the confidence we have in the players to put things right," Crusaders coach Rob Penney said.

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Samipeni Finau, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, James White, Dallas McLeod

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Glenn Newman

ACT Brumbies v Blues

SAT 28 FEB: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged lineup for a third straight week.

Larkham also moved to shut down talk that he was being sized up for a coaching role with the All Blacks.

"This is home for me," Larkham told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"This is something I'm very passionate about. And there are ongoing discussions (with the Brumbies). I think it (wanting to stay at the Brumbies) is irrespective of the start of the season."

The Blues welcome back lock Sam Darry to the starting XV after he missed last week's win over the Force following a head knock against the Chiefs.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Bradley Slater, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan

TMO: Graham Cooper

BYE: NSW WARATAHS