The Highlanders have delayed the naming of their side for their Super Rugby-opener against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night as they are sweating on the fitness of players.

Cameron Shepherd has not been included in the Western Force side to take on the Brumbies in Canberra tomorrow night due to poor pre-season form.

The Brumbies have named an inexperienced side featuring six new caps for their Super Rugby-opener against the Western Force at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Mike Harris will play first five in the absence of the injured Quade Cooper when the Reds open their Super Rugby campaign against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night.

Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes is in doubt to face the Reds in Sydney on Saturday night.

Piri Weepu will make his Blues debut off the bench when the side plays the Crusaders in Auckland on Friday night.

Tyler Bleyendaal will run at first five and Israel Dagg on the wing when the Crusaders play the Blues in their Super Rugby season-opener at Eden Park on Friday night.

Conrad Smith will captain the Hurricanes in their opening Super Rugby game against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZT).

Every year, Super Rugby seems to throw up several star rookies or those with little experience at this level. CAMPBELL BURNES brings you six players who could be the talk of the town by season’s end.

Defending Super Rugby champions the Reds will not suffer the dreaded second-year syndrome.

Ma'a Nonu will join the Blues this week after finishing his playing commitments in Japan.

Allister Coetzee has reportedly turned down an offer to join the Springboks coaching staff by signing a three-year contract extension with the Stormers.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph will field a team that bears little resemblance to his first-string side for the opening game against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.

In what can only be described as a refreshing and innovative move, referee Chris Pollock has sent an email to the Blues and Crusaders outlining how he will control their match at Eden Park on Friday night.

Israel Dagg is expected to play on the left wing for the Crusaders in Friday night’s Super Rugby opener against the Blues in Auckland.

Finally, there is some good news for the Waratahs.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder hopes the start of Super Rugby is not dominated by the referees’ whistles.

As far as opening Super Rugby assignments go, Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett knows his new-look side faces a tough one by going to South Africa first up.

Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara and Crusaders first five Tyler Bleyendaal are set to make their Super Rugby debuts when the competition kicks off this weekend.

The All Blacks will attend two training camps during Super Rugby as part of their build-up to June’s test series against Ireland.