All eyes have been on Israel Folau for the past two weeks after his controversial Instagram post. Stood down last Friday, the Waratahs will take to the field without the star fullback for the first time since his post went public and with the Australian Conference lead on the line, there’ll be plenty for the Tahs to play for.
Elsewhere the round is highlighted by a New Zealand derby with the Blues heading to Dunedin, while the Brumbies head to Cape Town on their South African tour.
(Note: All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Chiefs vs. Lions | Sunwolves vs. Hurricanes | Sharks vs. Reds | Highlanders vs. Blues | Waratahs vs. Rebels | Stormers vs. Brumbies
Friday, April 19
Chiefs vs. Lions, 5.35 p.m., FMG Stadium, Waikato
Chiefs: TBA
Lions: Sylvian Mahuza; Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Franco Naude, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Gianni Lombard, Ross Cronje; Warren Whiteley, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole. Replacements: :Malcolm Marx, Frans Van Wyk, Johannes Jonker, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Andries Coetzee
Sunwolves vs. Hurricanes, 8 p.m, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Sunwolves: TBA
Hurricanes: TBA
Sharks vs. Reds, 11.05 p.m., Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Sharks: Curwin Bosch,. Sbu Nkosi, Kobus van Wyk, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder (captain) Daniel du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Philip van der Walt, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Beast Mtawarira Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Juan Schoeman, Thomas du Toit, Tyler Paul, Jean-Luc du Preez, Cameron Wright, Marius Louw, Aphelele Fassi.
Reds: Hamish Stewart, Sefa Naivalu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Jack Hardy, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia’aua, Jock Campbell.
Saturday April 20
Highlanders vs. Blues, 5.35 p.m., Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders: TBA
Blues: TBA
Waratahs vs. Rebels, 7.45 p.m., Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Waratahs: TBA
Rebels: TBA
Stormers vs. Brumbies, 11.05 p.m., Newlands, Cape Town
Stormers: TBA
Brumbies: TBA
Bye: Bulls, Crusaders, Jaguares