Kurtley Beale will play his first Super Rugby match in 1494 days after being rushed straight into the Western Force’s lineup to take on the Crusaders on Saturday night.
His selection comes after being signed earlier this month following an injury to Harry Potter.
He’s not the only big-name Wallaby returning either, with Izack Rodda to make his comeback via the bench as earlier reported by The Roar.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has tweaked his halves for Saturday’s huge clash with the Blues.
Reds coach Les Kiss meanwhile has been forced into several changes following the injuries to Josh Flook and Seru Uru, which comes off the back of the suspensions to co-captain Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight.
Scroll down for all the team news ahead of round nine.
(All times AEST).
Friday
Drua vs Hurricanes, 5:05pm AEST
Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Sikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo, Kimi Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, ,Samu Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Meli Derenaligi, Peni Matawalu, Michael Naitokani, Junior Ratuva
Hurricanes (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, James O’Reilly, Pasilio Tosi Ben Grant, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Kini Naholo, Josh Moorby
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Caleb Delany, Peter Lakai, Richard Judd, Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
Reds vs Highlanders, 7:35pm
Reds (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (c), John Bryant, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Suli Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Lawson Creighton, Tim Ryan
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Ricky Jackson, Saula Ma’u, Hugo Pummer, Pari Pari Parkinson, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Ajay Faleafaga, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Damon Murphy
TMO: Brett Cronan
Saturday
Blues vs Brumbies
Blues (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Lucas Cashmore, AJ Lam
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni,
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
Force vs Crusaders, 7:35pm
Force (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Thomas Franklin, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
Crusaders (1-15): Joe Moody, Brodie McAlister, Owen Franks, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie (c), Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
Reserves: George Bell, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Ryan Crotty
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Kyle Burnett
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