There’s still loads to play for in Super Rugby Pacific with the last-placed Drua still only six points off the final qualification berth while the log-leading Chiefs are only four points clear of the third-placed Brumbies.
We saw a rather low-scoring weekend in Round 10 with a couple of games going down to the wire. Our scribe reckons we could have another couple of close affairs this ANZAC weekend.
Friday
We’ve got a double-bill Friday in store with the Chiefs and the Force squaring off in Hamilton for the day’s opener, while it’s the battle of the tinctures in the late kick-off with the Reds and Blues going toe-to-toe in Queensland.
The overachieving Force continue to impress with the men from Perth grabbing a 17-17 draw with the Hurricanes this past weekend. While the Canes are far from vintage in 2025, the result was still rather impressive, with the Force weathering a solid second 40 effort from the men from Wellington.
A late Ben Donaldson penalty forced the game into extra time, and like for most of the second half of regular time, the New Zealand franchise were the dominant side but the Force managed to hold out with no points scored in extra time, meaning the Aussie outfit walked away with a share of the spoils.
The Chiefs had a far easier time of it in Round 10 as they cantered to a 46-10 victory over the Highlanders.
With Damien McKenzie moved back into the flyhalf berth, the Chiefs looked a totally different side to the one that went down by seven points to the Waratahs a week prior.
The All Black ace has been ruled out for this one, however, with what looks to be a short-term hand injury. There is good news for Chiefs fans with D-Mac’s fellow All Black Wallace Sititi returning from a long-term injury to play off the bench.
Like their opponents, the Force have also lost a key man with scrum half Nick White ruled out for this one. His place in the run-on side is taken by Henry Robertson, with Wallaby Under 20 Doug Philipson cover on the bench.
Speaking of overachievers and underachievers, our next game sees reigning champions the Blues look to continue their slow ascent up the Super Rugby log when they take on the high-flying Reds at Suncorp.
The Aussie side currently sits in fourth on the log while their opponents are six points adrift in eighth place.
As touched upon above, the Blues have been slugging their way up the Super Rugby standings and had won two on the bounce, but their mini-winning streak was curtailed by the Crusaders, who beat them 25-23 in Canterbury this past Friday.
Having trailed the Crusaders 19-7, the Blues struck back just before the final quarter of the fixture with Hoskins Situtu working some magic with a try and then a delightful out-the-back pass/fling that caught the Crusaders off guard and allowed AJ Lam to find some space and level the scores.
Beauden Barrett would then put the Blues in front with a penalty, but the Crusaders would hit back with two three-pointers of their own, with the second sealing the win in injury time.
While the Blues were duking it out in a tough old derby, the Reds had their feet up as they enjoyed a bye week in Round 10. The break came at just the right time for Les Kiss’ men, who had underperformed the week prior in a 26-39 defeat to the Brumbies.
Looking ahead to the team news for this one and Wallaby Jock Campbell will get only his second start of the season as he dons the number 15 jersey, while talented young prop Massimo De Lutiis returns to the squad via the bench.
The Blues have made a big call themselves with Beauden Barrett set to play off the bench with Harry Plummer cracking the nod at flyhalf.
Friday Singles
Chiefs Minus (-22.5) 9/10
While McKenzie may be out, I’m backing the Chiefs to put in a display. They’ve got a stacked backline, and I’m expecting their back three to cause all sorts of problems on the counter.
Reds
With Barrett suffering from illness and playing off the bench, the Blues have lost their lynchpin. I can see the Reds exploiting this and bagging what could prove to be a vital win in Queensland.
Friday Double
Chiefs Minus (-22.5) 9/10 and Reds Win
Saturday
Over to Saturday’s action now and we’ve got a rather stacked day that sees proceedings open with a clash between the two newest sides on the block, with Moana Pasifika taking on the Drua in North Harbour.
We then move on to a Kiwi derby, which pits the Highlanders against the Crusaders in Dunedin. It’s then over to Canberra, where the Brumbies will take on the Hurricanes.
Clashes between Moana and the Drua have tended to produce points, with four of the last five games seeing combined points totals over 50. This game does have a lot of significance to it, however, with the two sides currently occupying 10th (Moana) and 11th (Drua) spots on the log, both are still in with a shot of making the play-offs.
The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in Round 10 with the Drua breaking a four-game losing streak by beating the Waratahs 28-14 at Churchill Park, while Moana really struggled to get anything going on attack against the Brumbies in a 0-24 defeat.
What will be worrying for Tana Umaga and his coaching staff is how dominant his side were in the early salvos of the game – they had 63% possession and 55% territory before Corey Toole got the Brumbies opener – but were unable to do anything with it.
Looking at the team news for this one and there’s some brotherly love going on for Moana with the Savea brothers set to link up in a Super Rugby match for the first time since Julian’s Hurricanes days.
The older Savea brother will make his mark off the bench while Ardie gets the start. For the Drua, young gun Isikeli Rabitu starts at inside centre while Kitione Salawa cracks the nod at number eight.
Over to the sole all-Kiwi affair of the weekend, and we’ve got the second-placed Crusaders travelling to Dunedin to take on the ninth-placed Highlanders.
The visitors continued their impressive run of form, bagging their sixth win in seven games and their third on the trot with a late penalty from Wallaby James O’Connor handing them a 25-22 win over rivals the Blues.
The result saw them keep the pressure on the log-leading Chiefs, who sit ahead of them only by virtue of superior points differential.
"You're playing for something a lot bigger than yourself"
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 24, 2025
Hear from some of the Aussie players ahead of #SuperRugbyPacific Anzac Weekend Round 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GwknYKRmse
The Highlanders were brought crashing back down to earth this past weekend as they were unable to build on their 43-20 Round 9 win over the Drua, as they went down 46-10 to the Chiefs.
They really struggled to get anything going on the attack against the men from Waikato, while the forward pack struggled at the breakdown.
To compound matters for the Highlanders, they are missing a load of players due to fresh injuries, with captain Hugh Renton ruled out alongside wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki.
The Crusaders have a far cleaner bill of health, but they have made a couple of changes with youngster Xavier Saifoloi getting a start at blindside flanker, while George Bower comes into a strong front row.
From Dunedin to Canberra, we head for a clash between the standout Australian outfit, the Brumbies, and a Hurricanes side desperate to hit a run of form.
They both managed to walk away with points this weekend, but it will be the Brumbies who will be happier with their outing as they managed a 0-24 bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika, while the Hurricanes had to settle for a share of the spoils as they drew 17-17 with the Force.
The Brumbies were spectacular on defence this past weekend with their defensive structure showing little frailties throughout the 80-minutes against a Moana Pasifika side that know their way to a tryline. This defensive solidity bodes well for the men from Canberra as we edge our way closer to the play-offs.
For the Hurricanes, their adventure to Perth proved to be rather disappointing as they had moments to win the game with a late drop goal, shaving the upright, underlining how unlucky they were.
Looking ahead to the clash at the GIO, the hosts have opted to make a couple of changes with James Slipper and Billy Pollard coming into the front row, while Luke Remier slots in at six and Len Ikitau comes into the centres. For the Canes, they too have made changes to their front row with Tevita Mafileo, Raymond Tuputupu and Pasilio Tosi all handed starts, while Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor get starts in the backline.
Saturday Singles
Moana Pasifika Minus (-5.5) 17/20
I fancy Moana here. They have been solid in North Harbour while the Drua have really struggled on the road this term. The return of Ardie Savea is also a massive boost for them.
Crusaders Minus (-9.5) 17/20
Dunedin has always been a difficult place to travel to, but I fancy this Crusaders side to take a Highlanders outfit, which is significantly understrength, to task this Saturday.
Hurricanes Plus (+5.5) 9/10
The Canes look like a side that could spark into life at any minute. They may lack consistency, but they tend to keep things tight, with two of their last three defeats being by seven points or less. I fancy them to keep it close in Canberra.
Weekend Treble
Chiefs Minus (-22.5) 9/10, Moana Pasifika Minus (-5.5) 17/20, and Crusaders Minus (-9.5) 17/20
