The critical moment has arrived for many teams as the commercial end of the competition is fast approaching.

This includes the Highlanders, who start Round 13 with a home game against Western Force in Dunedin.

Here are the rosters for the penultimate round of the regular season.

Highlanders vs. Western Force

Friday, 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

The Highlanders created a selection surprise by displacing Sam Gilbert in the top five on Friday.

Gilbert mainly played wing and fullback for the Highlanders, but played center at school.

“He played a few club games there, and he was a 10 at school too,” assistant coach Clarke Dermody said.

“So he’s actually been out of position for a few years for us on the wing and at the back, which is probably his other position, but this week he’s getting a crack at 10.”

Mitch Hunt will provide cover on the bench.

Mountaineers: Connor Garden-Bachop, Fetuli Paea, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Sam Gilbert, Aaron Smith (cc), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, James Lentjes, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Reservations: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Strength: Jake Strachan, Bryon Ralston, Kyle Godwin, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Reesjan Pasitoa, Ian Prior, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Andrew Ready, Tom Robertson. Reservations: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Bo Abra, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Michael McDonald, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui.

READ MORE:
* Highlanders explain rationale for Sam Gilbert’s shock selection at No 10
* A team of stars or a team of stars: How to reinvigorate the All Blacks
* Bryce Heem negotiates tough times to become Blues’ Mr Fixit in Super Rugby Pacific
* New date set for Moana Pasifika’s rescheduled match against Western Force

Crusaders vs. Brumbies

Friday, 9.45pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra

Crusaders captain Scott Barrett is back from suspension, just in time for his team’s crucial game against the Brumbies.

Barrett, who had his four-week suspension reduced by one week for taking a head contact training intervention course, has missed the team’s last three games.

Fellow All Blacks Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue and Codie Taylor also bolster the squad after a week off.

Head coach Scott Robertson, who expects a barrage of high balls, has named George Bridge on the left wing above Leicester Fainga’anuku, who along with Braydon Ennor will provide a punch on the bench.

That means there’s no room for Fergus Burke, with David Havili securing first cover in five-eights behind Richie Mo’unga.

crossed: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reservations: Ricky Jackson, Finlay Brewis, Tamaiti Williams, Liam Hallam-Eames, Tom Christie, Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Brumbies: Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Rod Iona, Nic White, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Tom Hooper, Caderyn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper. Reservations: Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford.

Fijian Drua vs. Moana Pasifika

Saturday, 4.35pm at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger has resigned center Levi Aumua and locked out Samuel Slade for this game, which could help decide who will take the wooden spoon this season.

Both players broke team protocols and despite being two of the best players on the team, standards are standards.

Former Warriors center Solomone Kata enters Moana Pasifika’s side, while Christian Lealiifano comes on the bench, with Hawke’s Bay’s Lincoln McClutchie starting in the top five.

Fijian Drua: Kitione Taliga, Onisi Ratave, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvovu, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Mesulame Dolokoto, Meli Derenlagi (c), Viliame Rarasea, Isoa Nasilasila, Manasa Saulo, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Reservations: Tevita Ikanivere, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Samuela Tawake, Chris Minimbi, Nemani Nagusa, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Selestino Ravutaumada.

Moana Pasifika:William Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Solomone Kata, Danny Toala, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Henry Time-Stowers, Solomone Funaki, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Alex McRobbie, Michael Curry, Sekope Kepu (c), Ray Niuia , Abraham Pole. Reservations: Samiuela Moli, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Veikoso Poloniati, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali’ifano, Henry Taefu.

Blues against Reds

Saturday, 7.05pm at Eden Park, Auckland

Beauden Barrett returns from All Blacks rest as the Blues look to protect their No.1 spot in the Super Rugby Pacific, but there’s also room for in-form Stephen Perofeta in a line-up that looks suspiciously better for seniors Auckland Thieves.

Predictably, coach Leon MacDonald kept changes to a minimum after his side produced their best attacking performance of the season to run in 11 tries to dismantle the Melbourne Rebels 71-28 in round 12.

Perofeta returns to the back to accommodate Barrett and unlucky Zarn Sullivan takes that burgeoning left boot off the bench in the backline’s only switcheroo, while Alex Hodgman returns from his elbow injury to start at the prop loose-headed in solitary pack change.

It meant MacDonald remained with his second row of James Tucker and Tom Robinson who both made big changes against the Rebels, with veteran Luke Romano returning after a well-deserved break via the bench. The Blues are on a 10-game winning streak – just two off their franchise record.

Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reservations: Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.

Reds: Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott (c); Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Connor Vest, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Feao Fotuaika, Albert Anae, Dane Zander. Reservations: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Sef Fa’agase, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Lawson Creighton.

Waratahs versus Hurricanes

Saturday, 9.45pm at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Josh Moorby’s hat trick against Fijian Drua saw Jordie Barrett return to second five eighth for the Hurricanes’ game against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Coach Jason Holland opted to keep Moorby, 23, at the back after his heroics last Sunday, with Barrett returning from a week off from the All Blacks in the No.12 shirt he wore for three games back-to-back last month (before moving the next two to No. 15).

Ardie Savea returns from a rest to take over the skipper’s armband from TJ Perenara – who takes his turn on the sidelines this week – with last week’s impressive debutant Tyler Laubscher unavailable with a minor injury.

Dane Coles and Owen Franks have again been named to the bench after their long-awaited returns to the park last weekend.

Waratah: Alex Newsome, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Archer Holz, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Reservations: Mahe Vailanu, Teterta Faulkner, Paddy Ryan, Ned Hanigan, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Ben Donaldson, Triston Reilly.

Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Bailyn Sullivan, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Aidan Morgan, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, TK Howden, Justin Sangster, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reservations: Dane Coles, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delany, Cameron Roigard, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Billy Proctor.

Rebels against leaders

Sunday, 4pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne

The Chiefs hosted two big guns for Sunday afternoon’s clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.

Co-captain Brad Weber (neck) and leading five-eighth Josh Ioane (ribs) were both named to start the clash at AAMI Park after missing the last three and five games, respectively.

Cortez Ratima and Bryn Gatland make way and drop the 23 altogether, while the All Blacks lock down Tupou Vaa’, hot-to-trot center Alex Nankivell and winger Jonah Lowe were also given a week off, and the Impressive No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula will have some reduced minutes on the bench.

Rebels: Reece Hodge, George Worth, Andrew Kellaway, Stacey Ili, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, James Tuttle, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), Josh Hill, Matt Philip, Pone Fa’amausili, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon. Reservations: James Hanson, Cameron Orr, Cabous Eloff, Josh Canham, Richard Hardwick, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, Lukas Ripley.

Chiefs: Kaleb Trask, Emoni Narawa, Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Josh Ioane, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reservations: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitch Brown, Xavier Roe, Rivez Reihana, Inga Finau.