Live blog: Super Rugby Pacific round 10

The 10^th round of Super Rugby Pacific continues on Saturday when the Queensland Reds host the Western Force in Brisbane. Follow the action in the live blog below.

Round 10 headlines

Possible All Blacks bolter continues to impress for Hurricanes

Hurricanes edge Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific thriller

Waratahs take their first NZ Super scalp with last-gasp score

Team news

Playmaker Beauden Barrett will play his 300^th first-class match today when the Blues play the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.

Barrett will start at flyhalf, and will look to lead a star-studded Blues side around the park in Fiji. Coach Leon MacDonald has made six changes to his run-on XV.

Dalton Papali’i is back at openside flanker this week, and will captain the team.

In the second game today, the Rebels have made four changes to their starting side ahead of their crunch clash with Moana Pasifika.

Led by playmakers Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon, the Rebels will be desperate to win on Friday.

But the game of the round is undoubtedly a mouth-watering New Zealand blockbuster between the undefeated Chiefs and title holders the Crusaders in Hamilton.

The Chiefs have welcomed back some key All Blacks for this clash, including co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber.

Weber has replaced rising star Cortez Ratima at halfback, and will partner dangerman Damian McKenzie in the halves.

But the Crusaders have a few tricks up their sleeve as well.

The defending Super Rugby Pacific champions have welcomed back some big name players, including All Blacks winger Leicester Fainga’anuku.

In the final game today, the Queensland Reds will host Australian rivals the Western Force in Brisbane.

MVP votes (3-2-1)

Hurricanes vs Brumbies – Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes), Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)

Waratahs vs Highlanders – Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Aaron Smith (Highlanders)

Drua vs Blues – Cameron Suafoa (Blues), Zarn Sullivan (Blues), Adrian Choat (Blues)

Moana vs Rebels – Monty Ioane (Rebels), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels)

Chiefs vs Crusaders – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Sam Cane (Chiefs)

MVP candidates leader board (updated) 

15 points – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

12 points – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)

11 points – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)

10 points – Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)

8 points – Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)

7 points – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)

6 points – Beauden Barrett (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Emoni Narawa (Chiefs), Hamish Stewart (Force), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Mark Telea (Blues), Richard Hardwick (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Tevita Ikanivere (Drua)

5 points – David Havili (Crusaders), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes)

4 points – Iosefo Masi (Drua), Josh Flook (Reds), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Tom Wright (Brumbies)

3 points – Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes), Ben O’Donnell (Brumbies), Bryce Hegarty (Force), Cameron Suafoa (Blues), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Daniel Rona (Chiefs), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Finlay Christie (Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), James Slipper (Brumbies), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Monty Ioane (Rebels), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), Salestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Tate McDermott (Reds), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders), Tim Anstee (Force), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)

2 points – Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Brad Weber, Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Billy Harmon (Highlanders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Dallas McLeod (Crusaders), Danny Toala (Moana), Fraser McReight (Reds), Harry Wilson (Reds), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Jamie Booth (Hurricanes), Kitione Salawa (Drua), Levi Aumua (Moana), Luke Reimer (Brumbies), Manasa Mataele (Force), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Nic White (Brumbies), Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Taj Annan (Reds), Tane Edmed (Waratahs)

1 point – Abraham Pole (Moana), Adrian Choat (Blues), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Anton Segner (Blues), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs), Eroni Sau (Drua), Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Josh Moorby (Hurricanes), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Drua), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Liam Wright (Reds), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Nepo Laulala (Blues), Nikora Broughton (Highlanders), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), Ollie Callan (Force), Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds)