As we close in on the halfway mark of the season we enter our first bye round with four teams kicking their feet up and enjoying a much-needed break while an Aussie derby headlines Round 7.
Failing to get a win at home against the Rebels, the Waratahs hit the Hume highway to take on the Brumbies in one of the biggest Australian rugby rivalries.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will be eyeing a bounce back win when they host Moana Pasifika.
Check out all the team lists, key ins and outs, odds and our tips below.
Friday, April 5
Blues vs.
Western Force
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm [AEDT]
Blues: Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Reiko Ioane, Corey Evans, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plumer, Taufa Funaki, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'I, Akira Ioane, Lachlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Angus Ta'avao, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Lucas Cashmore, Caleb Tangitau
Force: Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Thomas Franklin, Sam Carter, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon.
Replacements: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Ollie Callan, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry O'Donnell.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Blues $1.04, -23.5 $1.90; Force $9, +23.5 $1.85
Prediction: Off the back of a hiding over Moana Pasifika, the Blues have made 10 changes -- five of them forced through injury -- as they prepare to take on the bottom of the table Force. Only Caleb Clarke and Reiko Ioane survive from last week's backline, with Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta and Finlay Christie all ruled out, but don't expect it to have too big an impact with AJ Lam and Harry Plummer all sound replacements. Meanwhile, the return of Dalton Papali'i to form a formidable loose trio with Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu will bolster their forward pack. The Force have made several changes of their own off the back of their loss to the Drua with Max Burey moving back into fullback in the absence of Harry Potter and Sam Carter making his first start for the Force. An understrength Blues side is the perfect chance for the Force to rise off the bottom of the ladder, but they'll need to mimic their performance against the Reds if they're to get on top in Auckland.
Tip: Blues by 7.
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Melbourne Rebels vs.
Fijian Drua
AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7:35pm [AEDT]
Rebels: Nick Jooste, Darby Lancaster, Filipo Daugunu, David Feiliuai, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens, Tuaiana Taii Tualima, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon.
Replacements: Mason Gordon, Matt Proctor, James Tuttle, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Daniel Maiava, Taniela Tupou, Isaac Kailea, Alex Mafi.
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Apisalome Vota, Epeli Momo, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani, Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Vilive Miramira, Leone Rotuisolia, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro
Odds: [tab.com.au] Rebels $1.60, -3.5 $1.87; Drua $2.25, +3.5 $1.87
Predictions: Coming home with the chocolates after defeating the Waratahs last weekend, the Rebels will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season. A messy affair, the Rebels will need to clean up their act if they're to get over a high-flying Drua side, especially in the absence of captain Rob Leota who's been ruled out through injury. It's a big opportunity for Maciu Nabolakasi who comes in in Leota's absence. The Drua have also made several changes in their hunt for their first away win of the season. Vilive Miramira returns to the starting line-up, while captain Meli Derenalagi is back in the squad. While they enjoyed some wet and wild, unstructured rugby last weekend, they'll need their forward pack to lay a platform to roll over the Rebels in Melbourne.
Tip: Rebels by 3
Saturday, April 6
Chiefs vs.
Moana Pasifika
FMG Stadium, Waikato, Hamilton 5:05pm [AEDT]
Chiefs: Nanai Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Peniasi Malimali, Damian McKenzie, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Wallace Sititi, Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'I, Jimmy Tupou, Rueben O'Neill, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris.
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown
Moana: Kyren Taunoefolau, Ah Wong, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Viliami Fine, William Havili, Melani Matavao, Semisi Paea, Niko Jones, Irie Papuni, Ola Tauelangi, Tom Savage, Sekope Palu, Sama Malolo, Donald Brighouse.
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Aisea Halo, Otumaka Mausia, D'Angelo Leuila
Odds: [tab.com.au] Chiefs $1.01, -26.5 $1.87; Moana $13, +26.5 $1.87
Predictions: After a shock loss to the Crusaders is it any surprise Damian McKenzie has been jettison straight back into the Chiefs line-up? Making his return from a niggly knee-injury alongside All Black's lock Tupou Vaa'i will lift the Chiefs but they'll be without Luke Jacobson and Shaun Stevenson due to the All Blacks rest policy. It shouldn't impact them too much though with Moana Pasifika making their own wholesale changes after they were thumped by the Blues. Niko Jones, son of All Blacks legend Sir Michael Jones, is the headline naming in the squad, otherwise it could be a long night for Moana.
Tip: Chiefs by 14+
Brumbies vs.
NSW Waratahs
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm [AEDT]
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Ollie Sapsford, Hudson Creighton, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Sosefo Kautai, Billy Pollard, James Slipper.
Replacements: Connal McInerney, Fred Kahea, Rhys Van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Declan Meredith.
Waratahs: Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Lachlan Swinton, Fergus- Lee-Warner, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Julian Heaven, Angus Bell.
Replacements: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Teddy Wilson, Will Harrison, Izaia Perese.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Brumbies $1.34, -8.5 $1.85; Waratahs $3.10, +8.5 $1.90
Predictions: How good were the Brumbies last week in a classic against the Reds? The same can't be said for the Waratahs though and they'll need to shed the loss quickly if they're to get a sniff in Canberra. The return of Angus Bell to the front row is a big win for the Tahs, so to Lalakai Foketi's first start this year, but they'll be without their starting hooker Mahe Vailanu after he suffered a season ending knee injury. The Brumbies have made several changes of their own, most notably Billy Pollard moving into Lachlan Lonergan's vacant hooking role following his horrific ankle injury. They're lock stocks have been bolstered with Nick Frost partnering with Darcy Swain, while their lethal backline remains unchanged. The trip down the Hume highway is always an exciting trip for the Tahs, but there will be plenty of pressure on their shoulders to right the wrongs of last week.
Tip: Brumbies by 12