The Queensland Reds have opted against asking their first-choice XV to back up from last week's Super Rugby AU final in Friday's Trans-Tasman opener, resting a number of key players for their clash with the Highlanders.
Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Fraser McReight have been named on the bench, Tate McDermott is out of the matchday squad entirely, and Harry Wilson and Jordan Petaia have joined Hunter Paisami on the injury list.
There is some good news for the side with Suliasi Vunivalu making his return from a hamstring complaint via the bench, while Seru Uru, Filipo Daugunu and co-captain Liam Wright make for strong replacements for Wilson, Petaia and McReight respectively.
Feao Fotuaika switches to tighthead prop with Tupou on the bench, allowing Dane Zander to come into the starting side at loosehead, and former first XV mainstay Angus Blyth replaces Salakaia-Loto at lock.
Kalani Thomas gets his first start in a Reds jersey in McDermott's absence, with Moses Sorovi coming onto the pine. Isaac Henry, an unused substitute in last week's final, will have another chance to make his Super Rugby debut from the reserves on Friday.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, have named a fairly stead side from the one which lost in Round 10 of Super Rugby Aotearoa. They get Pari Part Parkinson back at lock and Hugh Renton at blindside flanker, while Nehe Milner-Skudder is the casualty from a backline reshuffle.
All teams for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman will be announced at least 48 hours before kick-off. Keep this page bookmarked as we update it with all the team info throughout the week.
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round 1 teams
Highlanders vs Queensland Reds
Friday, 5:05pm (AEST), Forsyth Barr Stadium
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Ash Dixon (c), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Hugh Renton, 7. Billy Harmon, 8. Kazuki Himeno, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Michael Collins, 14. Patelesio Tomkinson, 15. Sam Gilbert
Bench: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Ethan De Groot, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. James Lentjes, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Tim O'Malley, 23. Ngatugnane Punivai
Reds
1. Dane Zander, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Feao Fotuaika, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Angus Blyth, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (c), 8. Seru Uru, 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. James O'Connor (c), 11. Jock Campbell, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Bryce Hegarty
Bench: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Isaac Henry, 23. Suliasi Vunivalu
NSW Waratahs vs Hurricanes
Friday, 7:45pm (AEST), SCG
Waratahs
TBC
Hurricanes
TBC
Crusaders vs ACT Brumbies
Saturday, 5:05pm (AEST), Orangetheory Stadium
Crusaders
TBC
Brumbies
TBC
Melbourne Rebels vs Blues
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), AAMI Park
Rebels
TBC
Blues
TBC
Western Force vs Chiefs
Saturday, 9:55pm (AEST), HBF Park
Force
TBC
Chiefs
TBC