Bernard Foley of the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval.

Check out all the week one teams!

REBELS v BLUES in Melbourne, Thursday 7.45pm AEDT

THE Rebels have been dealt a hammer blow ahead of their season opener against the Blues, with a number of key men ruled out of the match.

High profile off-season recruit Koroibete has yet to overcome a knee injury, Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu is out with an infection and front-row forwards Toby Smith and James Hanson sustained injuries during their final pre-season fixture against the Reds last week.

The injury blows have forced coach Tony McGahan to hand five players their debut Super Rugby caps.

Japan No 8 Amanaki Mafi, Kiwi fly-half Jackson Garden-Bachop and winger Jack Maddocks will make their first starts, while hooker Jordan Uelese and prop Tyrel Lomax are on the bench.

“A couple of injuries and illnesses during the trial phase has impacted selection for our season opener but the situation presents an early opportunity for players to put their hand up and stake their claim for positions,” McGahan said.

“It’s unfortunate we’re missing key players for round one, we gave everyone the chance to prove their fitness and availability, but it’s too early in the season to risk the long-term health of our players with a big season still ahead of us.”

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Wingers Marika Koroibete and Sefa Naivalu have been ruled out of the Rebels’ opening match.Source:News Corp Australia

With Hanson and Smith ruled out, Cruze Ah-Nau, Pat Leafa and Laurie Weeks form a dependable front-row combination and Steve Cummins partners Wallaby Lopeti Timani in the second-row.

There’s plenty of mobility in the back-row with Jordy Reid and Colby Fainga’a the flankers, and Mafi at the back of the scrum.

Captain Nic Stirzaker has a new halves partner, with Garden-Bachop starting at fly-half and Jack Debreczeni moved to fullback.

Wallaby Reece Hodge is at inside centre and partners the experienced Mitch Inman, while Tom English and Maddocks are on the wings.

“There’s no shying away from the challenge against the Blues, they’re going to be a physical side full of confidence after their trial victory over the Chiefs last week,” McGahan said.

“But we’ve got 23 fit players ready to roll up their sleeves and eager to impress.

Blues coach Tana Umaga has also been forced to name an understrength line-up.

Dual international Sonny Bill Williams (achilles) won’t be available until about round six.

Also missing are co-captains James Parsons and Jerome Kaino, while lock Patrick Tuipulotu sits out despite recently being cleared to rejoin the squad after a drug scare.

Umaga has named a tight-five with just 19 Blues caps between them.

However, the unit impressed in their pre-season win against the Chiefs last week and two are proven performers, with prop Pauliasi Manu and stand-in captain Jimmy Tupou boasting 91 Super Rugby appearances between them.

Manu, who returns to the Blues after four years at the Chiefs, anchors a scrum with North Harbour prop Sione Mafileo and Northland captain Matt Moulds, who gets a start after an apprenticeship behind All Blacks Keven Mealamu and Parsons.

Steven Luatua, Blake Gibson and Akira Ioane form an explosive back-row combination.

Rieko Ioane and Akira Ioane will start for the Blues against the Rebels on Thursday.Source:Getty Images

One of last year’s breakout stars, Melani Nanai, shifts from fullback to the wing to accommodate Michael Collins.

Rieko Ioane, meanwhile, shifts to his preferred position at outside centre and joins Piers Francis in the midfield.

As expected, Augustine Pulu partners Ihaia West in the halves.

Umaga has named a strong bench including All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, George Moala and Rene Ranger.

REBELS (15-1): Jack Debreczeni, Jack Maddocks, Mitch Inman, Reece Hodge, Tom English, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Nic Stirzaker (c), Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga’a, Jordy Reid, Lopeti Timani, Steve Cummins, Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah-Nau

Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Tom Moloney, Tyrel Lomax, Culum Retallick, Jake Schatz, Ben Meehan, Sione Tuipulotu, Jonah Placid

BLUES (15-1) : Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Piers Francis, Melani Nanai, Ihaia West, Augustine Pulu, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Steven Luatua, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Jimmy Tupou (c), Sione Mafileo, Matt Moulds, Pauliasi Manu

Reserves: Hame Faiva, Sam Prattley, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Murphy Taramai, Sam Nock, George Moala, Rene Ranger

Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)

Tevita Li will make his debut for the Highlanders after moving from the Blues.Source:Getty Images

HIGHLANDERS v CHIEFS in Dunedin, Friday 5.35pm AEDT

ALL Blacks flanker Elliot Dixon has been left out of the Highlanders starting XV by first-year head coach Tony Brown in the team to play the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The flanker made his debut for New Zealand last year after building a reputation for hard work over the previous two years, but he’s dropped behind Gareth Evans in the pecking order.

Recently re-signed captain Ben Smith will start at fullback in perhaps the hottest backline in the competition.

Joining him in the back three are wingers Waisake Naholo and Blues recruit Tevita Li.

Rob Thompson and Malakai Fekitoa have been named in the midfield, forcing Matt Faddes to come off the bench.

Scrum-half Aaron Smith pairs up with No 10 Lima Sopoaga in a classy halves pairing, while No

8 Liam Squire provides another attacking weapon and lineout option.

Meanwhile, four youngsters are set to make their Super Rugby debuts for the Chiefs.

Flanker Mitchell Karpik is joined by fellow 21-year-old livewire Taranaki inside centre Johnny Fa’auli in the run-on team, while 19-year-old hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and 20-year-old halfback Jonathan Taumateine will make their impact from the bench.

All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala will also don the Chiefs jersey for the first time after diligently working his way back from a knee injury sustained in January 2016.

Coach Dave Rennie’s squad is vastly experienced, with the starting side featuring 10 players with All Blacks experience.

Among those unavailable are Sam Cane, working his way back from an ankle injury, and Charlie Ngatai, who is recovering from concussion.

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (c), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Adrian Smith, Craig Millar, Guy Millar, Jackson Hemopo, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes

CHIEFS (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Johnny Fa’auli, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (c), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Mitchell Karpik, Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Hika Elliot, Kane Hames

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Atu Moli, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Jonathan Taumateine, Tim Nanai-Williams, Shaun Stevenson

Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ)

George Smith has been named to start at openside flanker for the Reds.Source:News Corp Australia

REDS v SHARKS in Brisbane, Friday 8pm AEDT

GEORGE Smith will play his first Super Rugby match since 2013 after being handed a starting debut for the Reds by first-year head coach Nick Stiles.

Smith, a legend of the game who played more than a decade at the Brumbies before heading overseas, will play his first match since winning the Japanese championship with Suntory.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, Quade Cooper and Scott Higginbotham have also been named for their Reds returns.

James Slipper will once again captain the side and be joined by Moore and Sam Talakai in the front-row.

Smith is joined by Higginbotham and Adam Korczyk in the back-row.

Cooper will be partnered in the halves by Wallaby Nick Frisby and there’s plenty of attacking weapons out wide with Samu Kerevi, Karmichael Hunt and Eto Nabuli all named.

“It’s pretty exciting to think in two days we’ll be back playing at Suncorp Stadium in front of our home fans,” Stiles said.

“We’ve all had this date circled in our calendars for a long time and the players and staff have worked incredibly hard to get to this point in the best possible position.

“Anyone who watched how we performed in the tens and our trial against the Rebels would know there is a lot of competition for spots in this squad.

“We’ve got a lot of seasoned campaigners, but there are also some young up-and-coming players who have earned an opportunity through their hard work and their form in pre-season.

“Now the challenge is there for us to put everything we’ve worked on into practice against the Sharks on Friday night.”

Classy Springboks fly half Pat Lambie will captain the Sharks.

REDS (15-1): Karmichael Hunt, Chris Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, Nick Frisby, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Adam Korczyk, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Stephen Moore, James Slipper (c)

Reserves: Andrew Ready, Markus Vanzati, Sef Fa’agase, Izack Rodda, Hendrik Tui, James Tuttle, Jake McIntyre, Izaia Perese

SHARKS (15-1): Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie (c), Cobus Reinach, Tera Mtembu, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Tendai Mtawarira

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewie, Jacques Vermeulen, Michael Claassens, Jeremy Ward, Clement Poitrenaud

Referee: Nick Briant (NZ)

Nehe Milner-Skudder has been ruled out of the Hurricanes’ season opener against the Sunwolves.Source:Getty Images

SUNWOLVES v HURRICANES in Tokyo, Saturday 3.15pm AEDT

THE Hurricanes will open the defence of their Super Rugby crown with All Blacks guns Beauden Barrett and captain Dane Coles on the bench.

Halfback TJ Perenara is named skipper for Saturday’s historic clash at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.

Maori All Blacks playmaker Otere Black will wear No 10 while Coles’ hooking spot goes to Ricky Riccitelli.

Coach Chris Boyd has named his three other All Blacks tourists — Perenara and brothers Julian and Ardie Savea — to start but makes no apologies for his approach with Barrett and Coles.

“Beauden and Dane are both following their return to play protocols and part of that is that they were always going to have a graduated entry into the Super Rugby season,” Boyd said.

“They’re both key guys for us and there is no benefit in pushing them any faster than we need to, but they’ll both have a part to play in Tokyo.”

Barrett’s younger brother Jordie, 20, will make his Super Rugby debut at fullback in the absence of the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder (hamstring).

Starting lock James Blackwell and utility bench forward Reed Prinsep are poised to make their first Hurricanes appearances.

Meanwhile, new Sunwolves coach Filo Tiatia — a former Hurricanes No 8 — has named former Reds flanker Ed Quirk as the club’s new skipper.

SUNWOLVES (15-1): Riaan Viljoen, Takaaki Nakazuru, Tim Lafaele, Derek Carpenter, Kenki Fukuoka, Hikaru Tamura, Keisuke Uchida, Willie Britz, Ed Quirk (c), Maigene Ilaua, Sam Wykes, Liaki Moli, Heiichiro Ito, Shota Horie, Masataka Mikami

Reserves: Takeshi Hino, Koki Yamamoto, Takuma Asahara, Kotaro Yatabe, Shokei Kin, Kaito Shigeno, Ryohei Yamanaka, Shota Emi

HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Otere Black, TJ Perenara (c), Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, James Blackwell, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves

Reserves: Dane Coles, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Reed Prinsep, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Beauden Barrett, Vince Aso

Referee: Egon Seconds (SA)

CRUSADERS v BRUMBIES in Christchurch, Saturday 5.35pm AEDT

FULLBACK Israel Dagg will become the latest Super Rugby centurion when his Crusaders team take on the Brumbies

New coach Scott Robertson has also named six Crusaders debutants in his starting side — halfback Bryn Hall, wingers George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu, centre Jack Goodhue and Whetu Douglas at No 8.

Halfback Ere Enari is set to make his debut from the bench.

Meanwhile, the Brumbies have four new players in their run-on side, with three more on the bench.

Prop Nic Mayhew, flanker Chris Alcock, five-eighth Wharenui Hawera and centre Kyle Godwin will all get their first Brumbies start in a side containing eight Wallabies, with forward Lolo Fakaosilea and backs De Wet Roos and Isaac Thompson potential debutants off the bench.

CRUSADERS (15-1): Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Whetu Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Ere Enari, Mitchell Hunt, David Havili

BRUMBIES (15-1): Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, James Dargaville, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Chris Alcock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (c), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Nic Mayhew

Reserves: Robbie Abel, Ben Alexander, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Tom Staniforth, Lolo Fakaosilea, De Wet Roos, Andrew Smith, Isaac Thompson

Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)

Bernard Foley of the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval.Source:News Corp Australia

WARATAHS v FORCE in Sydney, 7.45pm AEDT

THE Waratahs have suffered a blow, with Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley ruled out with concussion.

Foley suffered a head knock in the Waratahs’ final trial last week and will be replaced by Bryce Hegarty for the clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The Tahs have also lost one of their bench players, with lock Ned Hanigan withdrawing due to a knee injury.

Gibson has named a strong tight-five, all capped at national level.

The inclusion of Sekope Kepu, who played in France last season, strengthens the scrum.

Will Skelton’s selection in the second-row, however, means the Waratahs’ lineout will be tested, particularly after Gibson opted for a mobile back-row of Michael Wells, Michael Hooper and Jack Dempsey.

Irae Simone has been named in the Waratahs’ starting line-up.Source:News Corp Australia

Boom rookie Irae Simone will start at inside centre after an impressive trial against the Highlanders and partner Israel Folau in a potentially lethal midfield combination.

Fit-again Rob Horne joins Reece Robinson and Andrew Kellaway in the back three.

For the Force, former NRL winger Curtis Rona will make his debut at outside centre.

The ex-Bulldogs player will partner fellow Super Rugby debutant Bill Meakes in a new-look centre combination.

New forward recruits Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs) and Ben Daley (Reds) will start on the bench.

WARATAHS: (15-1) Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (c), Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson.

Reserves: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, David McDuling, Brad Wilkin, Matt Lucas, Taqele Naiyaravoro, David Horwitz

FORCE (15-1): Dane Haylett-Petty, Luke Morahan, Curtis Rona, Bill Meakes, Chance Peni, Jono Lance, Ryan Louwrens, Richard Hardwick, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Jermaine Ainsley, Heath Tessmann (c), Pek Cowan

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Daley, Tereta Faulkner, Matt Philip, Isireli Naisarani, Michael Ruru, Ian Prior, Alex Newsome

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)

CHEETAHS v LIONS in Bloemfontein, Sunday 12.05am AEDT

CHEETAHS: TBC

LIONS: TBC

Referee: Quinton Immelman (SA)

KINGS v JAGUARES in Port Elizabeth, Sunday 2.15am AEDT

KINGS: TBC

JAGUARES: TBC

Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)

STORMERS v BULLS in Cape Town, Sunday 4.30am AEDT

STORMERS: TBC

BULLS: TBC

Referee: Jaco van Heerden (SA)

— additional reporting AAP

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Originally published as Super Rugby teams: Blow for Tahs, Brumbies named