With David Havili and Quinn Tupaea both leaving the field in last week's Bledisloe Cup clash, much of the discussion in the follow-up has centred around who the All Blacks will field in the No 12 jersey in this weekend's rematch.
Currently sitting undefeated at the top of the Odds conference, Waikato will face a litmus test at home this weekend when they take on an inconsistent Auckland side at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday.
The five Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises - the Brumbies, Reds, Rebels, Force and Waratahs - and the Fijian Drua have unveiled their squads for next season.
Prior to the British & Irish Lions series, the Springboks scrum had been billed as a major strength of the hosts and one where the Lions could potentially come undone.
Japan's Top League will look to put a year lost to the COVID-19 pandemic behind it on Saturday when play returns for the final season in the competition's current guise.
Despite only playing one match this year, Waratahs coach Rob Penney is rolling the dice with league convert Tepai Moeroa at inside centre on Saturday night.
Melbourne feel the Brumbies may have revealed a road-map to Super Rugby AU success over the NSW Waratahs that they can follow in Saturday's crunch match.
The NSW Waratahs are on the road again in Round 8 of Super Rugby AU, as they travel to the nation's capital to take on the Brumbies.
Rugby nomad Robbie Abel wants to be a calming voice to the youngsters at the NSW Waratahs, the latest destination on his sporting journey.
The Highlanders and Stormers have named their sides ahead of their week four clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.
