Hunter Paisami has been named in the Queensland Reds starting XV with Brad Thorn making eight changes to his 23 when the side plays the Western Force in Perth.

In the absence of the injured Liam Wright and Tate McDermott, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will captain his state for the first time.

“It’s been a big week with the floods up here in Brisbane,” Coach Brad Thorn said.

“We’ve had two tough games so far and we look forward to another one against the Force on Friday night.

“They’ve got good experience and they’re playing in front of their home fans for the first time this year, so they’ll be a tough opposition.”

The Western Force have made two changes as they make a welcome return home to play at HBF Park in Perth.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa makes his first Super Rugby start for the Force while Western Australian homegrown talent Ollie Callan moves into the starting side.

Join experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones and special guest Jamie Wall as they look at Super Rugby week 2, that debut by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and tip what four teams will miss the finals this year.

Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika will make its long awaited debut in Super Rugby Pacific after two aborted starts. Several members of the team were struck down with COVID in week 1 and the recovery from the virus meant that it was not feasible to play in Round 2.

The team has been named for their Friday night clash against the Crusaders.

“This has been 26 years in the making and after recent challenges, it’s good to finally be here. For many it will be their debut and significantly they are getting the opportunity to take to the field and compete, when perhaps an opportunity wouldn’t be available. It will be a very special occasion for them, their families and wider Pacific community,” Head Coach Aaron Mauger said.

International powerhouse and Wallaby Test centurion Sekope Kepu will Captain the team in his preferred position of tighthead prop.

A strategic substitute bench has been selected to provide impact in the latter stages of the match with 35-Test Manu Samoa flanker Jack Lam and 26-Test Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano both primed for a Super Rugby return. 

With two games of match practice up their sleeve the Crusaders have taken the opportunity to revamp their team for the clash with four debutants and three returning All Blacks.

The Melbourne Rebels have named Victorian lock Josh Canham in their starting XV to make his Super Rugby debut.

Joe Powell and Matt To’omua will combine for a second consecutive match, while Carter Gordon has been recalled replacing the suspended Reece Hodge at full-back.

Super Rugby Pacific Round 3 teams (ALL TIMES AEDT)

Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders

Friday, 5:05pm, Mt Smart Stadium

Moana Pasifika

1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Luteru Tolai, 3. Sekope Kepu (c), 4. Mike McKee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Solomone Funaki, 7. Alamanda Motuga, 8. Henry Time-Stowers, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Neria Fomai, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Tima Fainga’anuku, 15. William Havili

Reserves: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, 18. Joe Apikotoa, 19. Alex McRobbie, 20. Jack Lam 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Christian Leali’ifano, 23. Fine Inisi.

Crusaders

1. George Bower, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Mitchell Dunshea, 5. Quinten Strange (c), 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Pablo Matera, 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Simon Hickey, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. George Bridge, 15. Chay Fihaki.

Reserves: 16. Cody Taylor, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Dominic Gardiner, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Richie Mo’unga, 23. Isaiah Punivai.

Fijian Drua vs Rebels

Friday, 7:45pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium

Fijian Drua

1. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Ratu Rotuisolia, 6. Meli Derenalagi (c), 7. Vilive Miramira, 8. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 9. Peni Matawalu, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15. Baden Kerr.

Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Viliame Rarasea , 20. Rusiate Nasove , 21. Joshua Vuta, 22. Teti Tela , 23. Jona Mataiciwa.

Rebels

1. Cameron Orr, 2. James Hanson, 3. Cabous Eboff, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Josh Canham, 6. Michael Wells (c), 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Tamati Ioane, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Raymond Nu’u, 13. Lukas Ripley, 14. Young Tonumaipea, 15. Carter Gordon.

Reserves: 16. Efi Ma’afu, 17. Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18. Rhys Van Nek, 19. Josh Hill, 20. Sam Wallis, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Nick Jooste, 23. Ilikena Vudogo.

Force vs Reds

Friday, 10pm, HBF Park, Perth

Force

1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Ollie Callan, 8. Tim Anstee, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Richard Kahui, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.

Reserves: 16. Jack Winchester, 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Kane Koteka, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Grason Makara.

Reds

1. Dane Zander, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Feao Fotuaika, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (c), 6. Seru Uru, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Kalani Thomas, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Josh Flook, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell.

Reserves: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 21. Spencer Jeans, 22. Lawson Creighton, 23. Mac Grealy.

Blues vs Chiefs

Saturday, 2:35pm, Eden Park

Blues

1. Alex Hodgman, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13. Ardie Savea, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Stephen Perofeta.

Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Beauden Barrett/Zarn Sullivan, 23. AJ Lam.

Chiefs

1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Brodie Retallick, 6.Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Sam Cane (co-c), 8. Pita Gus Sowakula, 9. Brad Weber (co-c), 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Etene Nani-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Alex Nankivell, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Chase Tiatia

Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

Hurricanes vs Highlanders

Saturday, 5:05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Highlanders

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes (cc), 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Mitch Hunt (cc), 11. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Connor Garden-Bachop.

Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Marty Banks, 23. Scott Gregory

Brumbies vs Waratahs

Saturday, 7:45pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Brumbies

1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks.

Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Ed Kennedy, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23. Jesse Mogg.

Waratahs

1. Angus Bell, 2. Davie Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Izaia Perese, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Alex Newsome

Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Max Douglas, 20. Langi Gleeson, 21. Carlo Tizzano, 22. Will Harrison, 23. Tevita Funa.