Teams: Heartbreaking reason for star's fresh look as Blues take on Hurricanes in top-of-the-table clash

Blues players will take the field with shaved heads and bleached hair this weekend in a show of solidarity for teammate Cam Suafoa, following the news his cancer is terminal.

Suafoa, who has been battling the illness since 2023, recently announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 27.

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

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

Highlanders v ACT Brumbies

FRI 10 APRIL: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

The Brumbies have received a major boost with the return of Test front-rowers Allan Alaalatoa and Lachlan Lonergan from long-term injuries.

It will be the pair's first game time this year with Alaalatoa (back) named to start at tighthead prop in Dunedin and Lonergan (knee) included on the bench.

"He's more than ready, Al," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.

"Probably itching to get out there before the bye, but we held him back a little bit there."

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kemaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Nic Shearer, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson

Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Hugh Renton, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Taniela Tele'a

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

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby MacPherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert

TMO: Richard Kelly

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Moana Pasifika v Chiefs

SAT 11 APRIL: Rotorua International Stadium (12.05pm kickoff AEST)

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes has named Damian McKenzie at No.10 after the All Blacks star missed last weekend's win over the Waratahs with concussion.

McKenzie had been playing at fullback but reverts to the chief playmaking position in Rotorua with Josh Jacomb dropping to the bench.

Reon Paul set to make his Chiefs debut from the bench.

Paul is the nephew of All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara and was educated at Rongotai College in Wellington before spending last year at the Blues, without getting any game time.

He has played 19 games for Bay of Plenty in the NPC.

MOANA (1-15): Malaki Hala-Ngatai, Millenium Sanerivi, Paula Latu, Tom Savage, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Niko Jones, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Atu Moli, Jimmy Tupou, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Tyler Pulini

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Fiti Sa, Luke Jacobson, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Reon Paul

Referee: Marcus Playle

Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon

TMO: Glenn Newman

Fijian Drua v Western Force

SAT 11 APRIL: Churchill Park, Lautoka (2.35pm kickoff AEST)

Force fullback Mac Grealy is excited to link up with Zac Lomax in Fiji after the star recruit was a late scratching in the upset win over the Reds last weekend.

"I think it's exciting for all of us… it's like having a new toy as a kid, you know, getting to use it and sort of hopefully put him in some good spots," Grealy said.

"He's looking real sharp and has definitely put himself in the mix but it was pretty devastating for me last week.

"He's certainly put in the work since he's come in and I know he had a lot of family coming up so to be ruled out was tough, but he's handled like an absolute professional and that's how he's handled things since he's come in."

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila (co-c), Joseva Tamani, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ilaisa Droasese, Iosefo Namoce, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (co-c), Isikeli Basiyalo, Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Manasa Mataele

FORCE (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Jeremy Williams (c), Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack Daly, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Kurtley Beale, Zac Lomax

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey

TMO: James Leckie

Hurricanes v Blues

SAT 11 APRIL: Hnry Stadium, Wellington (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has named Callum Harkin at fullback for the top-of-the-table clash with the Blues.

Harkin missed the win over the Reds with concussion and replaces Josh Moorby as the No.15, with Moorby shifting to the wing for the injured Bailyn Sullivan.

Meanwhile, the Blues will take the field with shaved heads and bleached hair this weekend in a show of solidarity for teammate Cam Suafoa.

Suafoa announced last week that he would finish playing the game officially to begin a "different type of battle" involving chemotherapy treatment in the coming days.

"I just wanted to give you a little bit of an update on my situation, and I've decided to finish playing rugby. Officially decided to retire, was told the unfortunate news that my cancer had spread and it was terminal now," Suafoa said in a video.

Blues coach Vern Cotter said the team had shared Suafoa's fight since the beginning and the players were drawing strength from his situation.

Cotter said there was a strong sense of empathy and togetherness within the group, and it was positive to have Suafoa attend training on Tuesday.

Footage shared on the team's social media page showed several players, including playmaker Beauden Barrett, sporting the bleached blond look.

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, 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: Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Laukai, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry (c), Che Clark, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Tristyn Cook, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley

TMO: Brett Cronan

Queensland Reds v Crusaders

SAT 11 APRIL: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

Reds coach Les Kiss has made two changes to his starting side, with hooker Matt Faessler and winger Tim Ryan coming in for Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard (both concussion).

The Crusaders will be without big guns Will Jordan (calf) and Codie Taylor (hamstring), with Johnny McNicholl and George Bell coming in at fullback and hooker respectively.

The Reds and Crusaders are both 4-3 but the defending champions are coming off two 50-point wins.

"We are certainly playing one of the form teams. Super Rugby Pacific does not relent. It is a fantastic comp and we meet a big challenge this week," Kiss said.

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Richie Asiata, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Isaac Henry

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leciester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Johnny Lee, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan

TMO: Aaron Paterson

BYE: NSW Waratahs