Il Nuovo Postiglione - Nothing personal for Tupou against Reds while Crusaders try to stop rot

Tupou started his career at the Reds and spent seven years with them before heading south to Melbourne this season on a big-money deal.

Since he jumped ship, the Rebels have entered voluntary administration and their future is uncertain.

The doom and gloom intensified when they were hammered by ACT Brumbies in the opening match of the season, but gritty victories over Western Force and Moana Pasifika have left them fourth on the 12-team ladder.

Tupou will meet his old team for the first time, admitting facing good friends was something he had struggled with "but I've got better over time".

"Coming into this week I don't want to look at it and make it personal," the 27-year-old said ahead of Friday's clash at home.

"I will just try and focus on what we do here and do whatever it takes to get us the win."

The Rebels face a daunting task against a Reds side who have also started with two wins from three and were rock-solid in defence to stun title favourites Waikato Chiefs last week.

- 'No illusions' -

Opening the weekend action, seven-time champions the Canterbury Crusaders play the table-topping Wellington Hurricanes after three straight losses -- their worst start to a Super Rugby season since the competition began in 1996.

The Crusaders have home advantage but will be missing skipper Scott Barrett, who is out with a fractured finger, joining All Blacks team-mate Will Jordan (shoulder) and British & Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny (chest muscle) on the sidelines.

Nevertheless, 'Canes coach Clark Laidlaw is expecting a thorough examination from a side desperate to stop the rot.

"We're under no illusions what the Crusaders can do. We know what's coming and how tough it's going to be," said Laidlaw, whose team is the only unbeaten side so far.

In other matches, Force meet Moana in Perth as they too attempt to halt a three-match losing streak.

The Chiefs play on Saturday at home against the Fijian Drua while the Brumbies travel to Dunedin to take on Otago Highlanders.

Injuries have forced the NSW Waratahs to make sweeping changes against the Auckland Blues, with an entirely new front-row.

The odds were already stacked against the Sydney-based side, with the Blues winning nine on the trot against them.

"These away games are important for us early in the season," said Blues skipper Dalton Papali'i.

"We have a run of home games through the middle of the competition and we don't want to look back at these early season games and have any regrets."

C.Albano--INP