Hugh Sinclair will captain the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane against a Queensland Reds side bolstered by the return of brutal centre Hunter Paisami.
Regular skipper Jake Gordon will likely miss a month with a knee injury, with lock Sinclair promoted to become the 178th Waratahs captain.
Langi Gleeson has defied a leg injury to be named on the bench but Darby Lancaster (leg) won't play, joining injured fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the sidelines for Saturday's Suncorp Stadium grudge match.
Leafi Talataina will wear the No.8 while Triston Reilly starts on the wing. Teddy Wilson will take Gordon's spot at halfback.
"He's ready for what will be a big game … we've got full belief in what he'll bring," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said of Wilson.
"He's a competitor, he fights, and he embodies everything we want in a player."
The Reds welcome Paisami back from suspension while Tom Lynagh will start in the No.10 after he missed last weekend's Crusaders loss following a head knock.
Seru Uru will also come into the side but Liam Wright has not been named, the one-time Wallabies skipper again sidelined as he assesses the severity of a shoulder injury that's flared again.
The teams will play for the Bob Templeton Cup, the ledger incredibly split at 20 wins each.
"This is the game on the calendar that matters the most in Australian rugby," Reds coach Les Kiss said.
"It's a great indicator of a lot of things and that's not taking anything away from the Brumbies, who are probably the flagship team.
"They're (the Waratahs) undefeated, in a good place with an unbelievable roster ... star-studded and we'll have to be at our best."
Meanwhile, Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will return after a three-game absence due to concussion as the Brumbies host Fijian Drua.
Hooker Billy Pollard and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan, who kicked the winning penalty in Auckland against the Blues in the last round, will also start for Stephen Larkham's side on Friday.
Perth product Kane Koteka will play his first Super Rugby game in 1050 days as the Western Force rest key quartet Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Hamish Stewart and Carlo Tizzano against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Dylan Pietsch (knee) and Nick Champion de Crespigny (head injury protocols) are also unavailable, winger Pietsch hopeful his injury is only short-term.
"If we're serious about being successful this season, it's important we use the depth of our squad," Force coach Simon Cron said of the decision to manage his stars.
"This is an exciting opportunity for a number of our key players to step forward."
Shute Shield standout Coby Miln could make his Force debut off the bench as a playmaker and Divad Palu is back from a shoulder injury.
