James Slipper has retired from Test rugby but he continues to make history at Super Rugby Pacific level.
The veteran prop will become the first Australian to play 200 games when he lines up for the ACT Brumbies against the Crusaders on Sunday.
Read on for all the round two team news.
Watch the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
Brett Cameron of the All Blacks at Tokyo Stadium. Getty
Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika
FRI 20 FEB: Sky Stadium, Wellington (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)
Brett Cameron will start the season at No.10 for the Hurricanes after Ruben Love suffered a 4-6 week injury while training during the bye week.
“He stood on a foot and rolled his ankle, totally innocuous,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“It could have been a lot worse.”
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has dropped captain Miracle Faiilagi to the bench after he scored a match-winning hat-trick against the Fijian Drua.
Hooker Samiuela Moli will lead the team instead.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (c), Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Matolu Petaia, Brad Shields, Arese Poliko, Cam Roigard, Billy Proctor
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli (c), Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Veikoso Poloniati, Alefosio Aho, Semisi Paea, Konrad Toelafoa, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Patrick Pellegrini, Tuna Tuitama, Faletoi Peni, Glen Vaihu, Israel Leota, Simon Peter Toleafoa
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Tito Tuipulotu, Lolani Faleiva, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Tevita Ofa
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
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NSW Waratahs vs Fijian Drua
FRI 20 FEB: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)
Former Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu is set to make his Waratahs debut after being named on the bench to take on the Drua.
The starting XV is unchanged.
“We’re delighted that Ioane gets an opportunity. He’s worked hard since he arrived at the club and it was a tough decision to leave him out of the 23 for round one,” NSW coach Dan McKellar said.
“It’s going to be a cracking game for the fans on Friday night. The Drua play a unique brand of rugby. We need to make sure that we are disciplined and consistent in everything we do. They are a dangerous opposition and will punish any team from turnover.”
Wallabies outside back Andrew Kellaway is again missing from the 23.
“We just thought he was a little bit underdone off the back of the spring tour and a very, very short holiday that he had. He had a little bit of a knee issue as well, so we just wanted to get that right and give him some time, so there’s good signs there,” McKellar said.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, James Hendren
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Joseva Tamani, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Ponipate Loganimasi, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou, Manasa Mataele
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Highlanders vs Chiefs
SAT 21 FEB: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (5.05pm kickoff AEDT)
Highlanders prop Angus Ta’avao will miss Saturday’s game after the heartbreaking death of his son Leo.
Young Rohan Wingham will start at tighthead.
For the Chiefs, last week’s match winner, Cortez Ratima, is not travelling to Dunedin because of the impending birth of his second child.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is on the bench instead.
“These local derbies are brutal,” Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes.
“There is no inch given and it will go up another notch against the Highlanders.”
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Kyren Taumoefolau, Etene Nanai-Seturo
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O’Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Emoni Narawa
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Michael Winter, Ben Wollerton
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Darcy Swain of the Force gets tackled. Getty
Western Force vs Blues
SAT 21 FEB: HIF Health Insurance Oval, Joondalup (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)
Wallabies lock Darcy Swain returns to the Force starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with the Blues.
Swain replaces Nick Champion de Crespigny who is unavailable with a knee injury.
The Force are hosting a game at Joondalup for the first time with HBF Park off limits for the Asian Cup football tournament.
For the Blues, Laghlan McWhannell lines up alongside Josh Beehre with experienced lock Sam Darry unavailable following a head knock against the Chiefs.
“Travelling to Perth is always a challenge and the Force are a tough, well-organised side at home,” Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
“Going over there, we know we need to be at our best. We’ve taken a lot of lessons from last week and the focus is on being accurate, disciplined, and connected for the full 80 minutes.”
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa’agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
Crusaders vs ACT Brumbies
SUN 22 FEB: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (1.35pm kickoff AEDT)
Crusaders coach Rob Penney has reacted to the round one loss by promoting All Blacks Will Jordan and Fletcher Newell into the starting side.
Brumbies prop James Slipper has been named to play his 200th Super Rugby game.
He trails only Crusaders great Wyatt Crockett (202) for most games played.
“He is one of the most respected players in Australian rugby, and reaching 200 Super Rugby games is a huge achievement,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“He continues to set the standard with how he prepares, how he trains, and how he competes.”
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Leicester Fainga’anuku
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
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
BYE: Queensland Reds