Crusaders fly-half Dan Carter is set to return to action against the Force this weekend © Getty Images

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News: Late blitz sends Bulls top

News: Crusaders hit top spot

Match Pack: Reds stun the Bulls in Brisbane

Matches: Sharks 23 - 10 Blues | Bulls 51 - 11 Lions | New South Wales Waratahs 19 - 12 Brumbies | Highlanders 31 - 33 Hurricanes | Force 24 - 16 Crusaders | Queensland Reds 16 - 13 Stormers | Chiefs 25 - 25 Cheetahs

Players/Officials: Dan Carter | Juan Smith

Tournaments/Tours: Super 14

Teams: Australia | Blues | Brumbies | Bulls | Cheetahs | Chiefs | Crusaders | Force | Highlanders | Hurricanes | Lions | New South Wales Waratahs | New Zealand | Queensland Reds | Sharks | South Africa | Stormers

The battle for the Super 14 play-offs is set to intensify this weekend in Round 11 of this year's battle for southern hemisphere supremacy.

The Crusaders are currently setting the pace following their hammering of the Cheetahs in Christchurch last weekend and they will be confident of cementing their place on top of the pile against the struggling Western Force who suffered their seventh reverse of the season against the Blues last time out.

The Friday night match at the Perth Oval is the first of a testing run of games for the Crusaders, eight-time winners of the Super Rugby crown, with away trips to the Stormers and Bulls ahead of them, but they have been boosted by the return of fly-half Dan Carter after recovering from a hip injury that ruled him out of the win over the Cheetahs.

The Crusaders are further boosted by the returns of Robbie Fruean in the centres and Kieran Read at flanker, while Zac Guildford starts on the wing, moving Sean Maitland to fullback. All Blacks lock Brad Thorn is back in the starting XV, while Wyatt Crockett has been relegated to the bench, leaving Ben and Owen Franks as the starting props.

In contrast to Carter's return, the Force have lost their chief playmaker in young Wallaby James O'Connor to a shoulder injury. A raft of changes by John Mitchell sees Pek Cowan, Brett Sheehan, Ben Whittaker, Ben McCalman and Nick Cummins all come into the starting side due to good form or returns from injury or suspension.

The Bulls only trail the Crusaders on points difference and will look to reclaim pole position against basement side the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The defending champions' bid for glory hit a bump in the road against the Reds last weekend with the Australian side producing a stunning win at Suncorp Stadium. And the Lions, who are yet to break their duck this year following their ninth successive loss, against the Sharks last weekend, are likely to feel the wrath of their South African rivals as a result.

Heini Adams will make a rare start at scrum-half for the Bulls, with Fourie du Preez rested on the bench. Jaco Pretorius has been given the nod ahead of Stephan Dippenaar at outside-centre and will combine with Wynand Olivier. The Lions have been forced to make two changes due to injury, with Walter Venter taking over from Doppies la Grange at No.12 and Derick Minnie slotting in at No.8 in place of Todd Clever.

The Reds' victory over the Bulls lifted them into the semi-final picture and underlined their title credentials but they will be under pressure to back up that performance with another of similar class against the Stormers in Friday's Game of the Week.

Both the Waratahs and the Brumbies remain in the hunt for the post-season and the two Australian rivals will square up at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday. The Tahs have arguably conceded home advantage by switching the game to Homebush rather than use their usual Sydney Football Stadium home but they will be hoping it inspires a return to winning ways having succumbed to the Crusaders a fortnight ago. The Brumbies are also looking to get their season back on track having been beaten on home soil by the Hurricanes last weekend and fact a must-win scenario if they are to remain in touch with the top four.

The Waratahs will wait until the last minute to name their team, with two thirds of their front row struggling to make it back from injuries. Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau will be given every opportunity to face the Brumbies. The Waratahs also have some troubles in the backs, with Berrick Barnes and Lachie Turner dealing with stomach bugs and Rob Horne getting over a buttock problem. Rookie Rory Sidey is training with the squad as cover.

Victory over the Brumbies in Canberra breathed life into the Hurricanes' campaign and they have the chance to further their revival against the Highlanders in Dunedin. The home side are coming off a mauling at the hands of lowly Force two weeks ago but they may tackle a 'Canes side without captain Andrew Hore, who is a doubtful starter due to a knee injury picked up against the Brumbies. On the positive side for Cooper, openside flankers Karl Lowe (illness) and Scott Waldrom (impending fatherhood), along with scrum-half Piri Weepu (family bereavement) are all expected to return after missing the Canberra trip. The Highlanders have injury woes of their own with hooker Jason Macdonald ruled out of the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

A narrow victory over the Lions last weekend extended the Sharks' winning run to four games - having lost their first five games - and a similar result against the Blues will keep their faint play-off hopes alive. But the Blues got their season back on track with a big win against the Force last time out following a drubbing against the Stormers and a victory would see them edge nearer a priceless play-off berth.

The Sharks are back on home soil in relatively good condition, with one change to the starting lineup. Andries Strauss replaces the injured Riaan Swanepoel in midfield. Anthony Boric has missed the Blues' trip to South Africa due to an ankle injury, with Andrew van der Heijden his replacement.

The latest action gets underway in Hamilton on Friday night with the wobbling Chiefs tackling the Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium. The Chiefs were handed a lesson by the Stormers last weekend and since then have seen fly-half Mike Delany and winger Leila Masaga sidelined by injury. But coach Ian Foster did receive some good news this week with All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu ready to return having recovered from a knee injury. Foster has dropped senior players Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard and Sione Lauaki to the bench as he seeks to wring some form out of his misfiring squad.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has been handed a timely boost with his captain Juan Smith returning to the mix having missed the last three games due to a family bereavement.