Super Rugby preview round five: Can the Landers do it again?

It’s said (or sung) that 'History Never Repeats' but the Highlanders will be hoping Split Enz are wrong in this weekend’s second southern derby of the Super Rugby season.

The Hurricanes welcome back two big guns and are expected to breeze past the Force in Napier.

And there’s a bit of beef brewing between the Blues and Moana Pasifika ahead of their clash at Eden Park.

So let’s take a look at the round five match-ups involving NZ teams.

HURRICANES v FORCE | Napier | Friday 7.05pm

Just when you thought the Hurricanes couldn’t get any stronger after putting 59 points on the Waratahs in Sydney, they add two All Blacks to their bench for what should be a routine win over the Force.

Playmaker Ruben Love is set to play his first game of the season after suffering an ankle injury in preseason.

Prop Tyrel Lomax broke his thumb at the end of the All Blacks season in 2025 and is also back to full fitness after some game-time for the Hurricanes’ development team.

Coach Clark Laidlaw isn’t taking the Western Australians lightly though.

“We had a draw with them last year, went to golden point and weren’t good enough to get across the line, so we know it’s going to be a tough challenge.”

HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Devan Flanders, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Jone Rova, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Warner Dearns, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Ruben Love, Riley Higgins

CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS | Christchurch | Saturday 7.05pm

The finger is hovering over the panic button in Christchurch as the defending champion Crusaders face the prospect of being 1-and-4 to start the season.

They’ll have Will Jordan back after he was rested and sorely missed in the defeat to the Blues where their attack failed to spark.

The Highlanders got one over them during round one in Dunedin. Since, they've added some Argentinian beef to their forward pack in the form of veteran Pumas lock Tomas Lavanini for the rematch in the Garden City.

He played 49 games for the now-defunct Jaguares before moving to France, and is expecting his lungs to be tested in his return to Super Rugby.

“It’s quicker; just go, go and go, that’s the most difficult part, because in France, you maybe have a little bit more time to react. Here, you must be quick. But I prepared well for two months, so I’m ready.”

CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Dallas McLeod

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soana Viekna, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oli Haig, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasiota

BLUES v MOANA PASIFIKA | Auckland | Sunday 3.35pm

It’s been a big week for Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga, who’s been linked as a possible assistant to new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.

But the former ABs captain’s focus is firmly on the Blues, who his team beat for the first time last year.

Umaga’s stirred the pot before the clash at Eden Park, saying the Blues have made it difficult for his North Harbour-based side to co-exist in Auckland.

"I don't know if they realise there are two professional rugby teams in this city, but we do know that they don't want us here."

"That's why they are our greatest rivals because they want us to see us not do well, not thrive. I struggle with that when rugby's in a place where we're at."

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Cole Forbes

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Laghlan McWhannell, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Zarn Sullivan

MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Monu Moli, Lolani Faleiva, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Ngani Laumape, Tuna Tuitama