Rugby is back.

Rugby finally returns this weekend with New Zealand’s brand new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition kicking off with two absolutely cracking fixtures.

First up tomorrow we’ve got the Highlanders taking on Warren Gatland’s Chiefs in what promises to be an entertaining affair at Forsyth Stadium.

Highlanders Head Coach, Aaron Mauger, has selected the uncapped duo of Sam Gilbert and Vilimoni Koroi in his side with Josh Ioane starting at ten and Mitch Hunt in at fullback.

The Chiefs have Damian McKenzie at fullback with fellow All Black Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield. Aaron Cruden starts on the bench.

You can watch the Highlanders vs the Chiefs on Sky Sports Main Event and Action tomorrow (Saturday) morning with coverage starting at 7.30 am and the game kicking off at 8.05 am.

Highlanders: Mitch Hunt, Sam Gilbert, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Kayne Hammington, Teihorangi Walden, Vilimoni Koroi.

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sean Wainui, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (capt), Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Mitchell Brown, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ryan Coxon, Ross Geldenhuys, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Dylan Nel, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Aaron Cruden, Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Sunday then sees the Blues entertain the Hurricanes at Eden Park in a hugely anticipated affair. Beauden Barrett will come up against his old club for the first time after being named at fullback for the Blues but there’s no room in the squad for Dan Carter.

The Hurricanes meanwhile are set to unleash Ardie Savea from the bench with the flanker named in a squad for the first time since his horrific knee injury in last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat to England.

You can catch this game bright and early on Sunday morning with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena starting at 4 am and the game kicking off at 4.35 am.

Blues: Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock; Hoskins Sotutu, Blake Gibson, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Marcel Renata, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Matt Duffie.

Hurricanes: Chase Tiatia, Wes Goosen, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara (co-captain), Gareth Evans, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (co-captain), Fraser Armstrong.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Billy Proctor.