The fixture is also Codie Taylor’s 150th for the Crusaders, adding to the occasion.
“I’ve had quite a few milestone games at the stadium, and it’s the only stadium I know that I’ve called home from my debut right until this point,” Taylor said.
“I see it as a place that was created to give hope to our city and our region. I was part of the wider squad when the earthquake hit, and I was part of that tough time the city went through.
“We travelled for every game that season, and then eventually we got a home ground. It became a place to bring hope and unify the city in a way. Rugby has done that down here.
“It’s a place we love to play at. It’s home.”
All Blacks duo Ethan Blackadder and Kyle Preston are out injured, joining David Havili on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Jack Sexton, son of former Crusaders hooker Matt Sexton, is in line to make his debut off the bench.
For the Drua, their season has gone from bad to worse, with captain Frank Lomani out with injury, while star winger Ponipate Loganimasi has been ruled out for the season.
There will be a familiar face in the Drua side with former Crusader Manasa Mataele named on the left wing.
The Crusaders and Fijian Drua have alternated wins across their five meetings in Super Rugby Pacific, with the Crusaders winning 31-14 in their most recent encounter.
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Johnny Lee, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan (c).
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 21. Dom Gardiner, 21. Louie Chapman, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Braydon Ennor.
Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Joseva Tamani, 5. Isoa Nasolabial (c), 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Iosefo Namoce, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 14. Joji Nasova, 15. Iliasia Droasese.
Bench: 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Phillip Baselala, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Isikeli Rabitu.
Chiefs v Waratahs
FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Saturday 7.05pm
The Chiefs will be without All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie due to a head knock, but welcome back another New Zealand international in Tupou Vaa’i from a knee injury as they host the Waratahs in their first match in Hamilton in a month.
McKenzie joins a growing casualty ward which also includes Etene Nanai-Seturo, who has been ruled out with a foot injury, meaning off-season recruit Kyren Taumoefolau claims a rare start on the right wing.
Both players should be available for selection next week.
“It’s nice to be home again, and we are looking forward to playing in front of our people,” Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said.
“We have a few out injured, which is normal in this tough competition, but the quality of the side we’re able to field shows the depth we have throughout the squad and our wider training group.”
Prop Reuben O’Neill will win his 50th cap, while Daniel Sinkinson should make his debut off the bench.
The Waratahs head into the match full of confidence after a shock win over the Brumbies last weekend.
Former Australia Under-20s captain Teddy Wilson is set for his first start of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, after being named at halfback.
He will partner former Chiefs playmaker Jack Debreczeni in the halves.
The Waratahs won 21-14 in their last Super Rugby Pacific meeting with the Chiefs, snapping an eight-game losing streak against them.
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Reuben O’Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Kaylum Boshier, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Leroy Carter, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Liam Coobes-Fabling.
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. George Dyer, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Kyle Brown, 23. Daniel Sinkinson.
Waratahs: 1. Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Daniel Botha, 4. Matt Philip (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Clem Halaholo, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Triston Reilly, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Sid Harvey.
Bench: 16. Folau Fainga’a, 17. Jack Barrett, 18. Siosifa Amone, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Jamie Adamson, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Jack Bowen, 23. George Poolman.
Reds v Force
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 9.35pm
In a rarity, all eyes are on the Western Force this weekend with former NRL star Zac Lomax in line to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
Lomax switched codes after his high-profile exit from the NRL, where he was chasing a lucrative deal in R360, which has been delayed and attempts to return to rugby league were blocked.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played the 15-man code since his high school days, but Force coach Simon Cron insists Lomax is ready to go.
“He’s a natural athlete – big, strong, fast, powerful,” Cron said. “We’ve done a bit of work with him since he got here, he’s very confident he’s ready.
“He’s coming off the bench, so it gives him a chance to work his way into the game. He’s a great player, and he’s ready to go.”
The Reds have only made a handful of changes to their side, which is coming off a mauling at the hands of the Hurricanes.
Teenager Treyvon Pritchard will make his first start for the side, while Carter Gordon returns at first five-eighth.
“Treyvon has certainly shown what he is capable of in his minutes off the bench this season,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“It’s only scratching the surface of his potential and he gets to take another step in his learning with experienced Wallabies around him.”
The Reds have won their last three meetings against the Force.
Reds: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Nick Bloomfield, 4. Seru Uru, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Treyvon Pritchard, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Hamish Muller, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Louis Werchon, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Tim Ryan.
Force: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Misinale Epenisa, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), 7. Jack Daly, 8. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Darby Lancaster, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. George Bridge, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Mac Grealy.
Bench: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19. Lopeti Faifua, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Kurtley Beale, 23. Zac Lomax.
Zac Lomax has been named to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Western Force. Photo / Photosport