Super Rugby round four teams: Waratahs coach responds to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii critiques as prop equals epic milestone

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has heard the outside noise but he is sticking to his guns by playing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at No.13 against the Hurricanes in Sydney on Friday.

And ACT Brumbies great James Slipper is set to equal one of Super Rugby's greatest milestones when he takes the field against the Queensland Reds in Canberra on Saturday.

Read on for all the round four team news.

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

Chiefs vs Moana Pasifika

FRI 6 MARCH: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

Star playmaker Damian McKenzie will make a timely return to the Chiefs following their loss to the Crusaders last weekend.

McKenzie missed the opening three rounds due to the birth of his first child.

He will start at No.10 while former Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi will be outside him in his first start for the Chiefs.

Former All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu will make his Moana Pasifika debut after recovering from a calf injury.

CHIEFS (1-15): Benet Kumeroa, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Lalakai Foketi, Emoni Narawa, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Kyle Brown

MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Tevita Latu, Tevita Ofa, Glen Vaihu

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malaki Hala-Ngatai, Lolani Faleiva, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrini, Tyler Pulini

Referee: Todd Petrie

Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Richard Kelly

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NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes

FRI 6 MARCH: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has stuck with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre despite the code-hopper's muted start to the season.

Former NSW stars Michael Hooper and Morgan Turinui believe Suaalii would better suited at fullback or on the wing.

"We had this conversation last year when I played him at 15 and copped a bit of flak around that, to be honest," McKellar said.

"It's a bit ironic now that everyone thinks he should be playing 15. It's like you're damned if you do it, you're damned if you don't.

"It hasn't been (a debate) in here. It might have been externally, but no, I'm working closely with Joseph around his game and he's doing a lot of things really well."

Andrew Kellaway will start at fullback for NSW after missing the first two games while Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi will also make his season debut after recovering from a calf injury.

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Folau Faingaa, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey

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

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Jone Rova

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore

TMO: James Leckie

Highlanders v Western Force

SAT 7 MARCH: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (2.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Angus Ta'avao will return to the Highlanders front row following the tragic death of his nine-year-old son Leo.

Leo, who was was born with the genetic disorder partial trisomy 13, died last month.

Ta'avao replaces Rohan Wingham at tighthead prop.

Force coach Simon Cron welcomes back Wallabies forwards Nick Champion de Crespigny and Brandon Paenga-Amosa to his starting side.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crepsigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekausi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, George Bridge, Hamish Stewart, Divad Palu, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Richard Kelly

Blues v Crusaders

SAT 7 MARCH: Eden Park, Auckland (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)

Beauden Barrett will make his first appearance of the season after being treated with kid gloves for the first three rounds.

The Blues playmaker was keen to play from the start of the year but New Zealand Rugby are managing him ahead of a packed Test schedule.

Barrett is on the bench while the Crusaders will be without Will Jordan.

The star fullback was sore after the win over the Chiefs and Crusaders coach Rob Penney has opted to start Taha Kemara there instead.

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Che Clark, Anton Segner, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele

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), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Taha Kemara

Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Xavier Saifoloi, Dallas McLeod

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Louis Trisley

TMO: Aaron Paterson

ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds

SAT 7 MARCH: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)

Brumbies stalwart James Slipper will equal Wyatt Crockett's record of 202 Super Rugby caps when he trots out onto GIO Stadium on Saturday.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made just one change to his starting lineup, with Tuiana Taii Tualima replacing the rested Rob Valetini at blindside flanker.

Larkham inked a two-year contract extension with the Brumbies on Wednesday.

Reds coach Les Kiss has handed Filipo Daugunu a start on the wing ahead of Tim Ryan.

"We know what we are up against, the best team in the comp at the moment at their home ground," Kiss said.

"It'll be a very tough encounter. Our preparation needs to be good and our performance needs to be disciplined for the 80 minutes. Canberra is a tough place to win but these are the challenges we look forward to."

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuiana Taii Tualima, 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

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Treyvon Pritchard

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey

TMO: James Leckie

BYE: Fijian Drua