Super Rugby Pacific 2025 is here, and it is set to be one of the best seasons in recent memory.
The Grand Final rematch between the Blues and Chiefs headlines the round after the Auckland-based broke their 20-year drought last year.
Watch every game of Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
New recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will play his first match for the Waratahs as they host the Highlanders as the ACT Brumbies make their inaugural trip to Fiji to take on the Drua.
The Crusaders and Hurricanes open the season in Christchurch, whilst Ardie Savea’s first game as Moana Pasifika captain will see the superstar All Black face the Western Force in Perth.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from round one, presented by Bet365
Friday 14 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Crusaders v Hurricanes at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Teams
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christin Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahil, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
Will Jordan returns for his first appearance for the Crusaders since 2023Captain David Havili leads the side and becomes the first back and player of Pasifika origin to be season captainFormer Red and 64-cap Wallaby James O’Connor will make his club debut from the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Brayden Iose, Cameron Roigard, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Ngatungane Punivai
Callum Harkin is the bolter, with the Wellington fullback named at the back after not being contracted initially at the start of the seasonSevens star Fatafehi Fineanganofo will debut on the wingBrad Shields and Du’Plessis Kirifi will co-captain the sides
Stats
The Hurricanes have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific games against the Crusaders – by margins of just one and four points, respectively – after winning only one of their previous 11 games against themThe Crusaders have lost their past two opening-round games; however, they are undefeated against the Hurricanes in season-openersThe Hurricanes are looking for back-to-back wins over the Crusaders for the first time since 2016
Key Match Up
Cam Roigard v Noah Hotham
The battle of the All Black number nines will be crucial towards deciding the outcome of this game.
Roigard injured his knee and missed most of the 2024 Super Rugby season; however, he returned for the Test season and established himself as the All Black starter.
Hotham is hot on his tail and knows he can mount a convincing case if he can deliver the Crusaders to victory.
Prediction
Hurricanes by 3
Friday 14 February 7:35 pm AEDT – NSW Waratahs v Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and the Nine Network
Teams
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will debut for the Waratahs at fullbackNew recruits Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota and Andrew Kellaway start in a stacked side.Dave Porecki returns from injury at hooker after missing the entire 2024 season
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Lui Naeata, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Michael Manson, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley
Michael Manson (wing) and Lui Naeata (back-row) have been rewarded for strong pre-seasons with their Super Rugby debutsCaleb Tangitau (wing) and Taine Robinson (flyhalf) will make their Highlanders debutsFormer Brumby Sefo Kautai will debut for the club off the bench
Stats
The NSW Waratahs have won three of their last four games at Allianz Stadium against the Highlanders, holding them to 23 points or fewer every timeEight of the Highlanders’ last nine games have been won by the home sideThe Waratahs have won one of their last eight at Allianz Stadium, with seven of their losses less than ten points
Key Match-Up
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii v Sam Gilbert
All eyes will be on the new recruit as Suaalii plays his first game in the sky blue jersey.
Suaalii carved up Test Rugby on debut and there will be similar expectations on him.
He faces versatile weapon Gilbert, who will look to apply pressure on the heavily favoured hosts with his boot, both off the tee and in general play.
Prediction
Waratahs by 12
Saturday 15 February 2:35 pm AEDT – Fijian Drua v Brumbies at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Teams
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (co-c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Vuate Karawalevu, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Meli Tuni, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani (co-c), Peni Matawalu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Josevi Tamani makes his return for the Drua for the first time since round 15, 2023Flying Fijians Vuate Karawalevu and Ponipate Loganimasi will make their Drua debuts on the wingIsoa Tuwai is in line to debut off the bench
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Judah Saumaisue, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Kadin Pritchard
Austin Anderson will make his Super Rugby debut as the Brumbies rest a host of their starsNew recruits Feao Fotuaika and Tuaina Taii Tualima have been named in the starting packYoung talent Lington Ieli, Judah Saumaisue and Kadin Pritchard are in line for debuts off the bench
Stats
The Brumbies have never lost to the Fijian Drua, but the Fijian Drua have never lost to an Australian team in FijiThe Drua have held their opposition to fewer than 20 points in six of their last eight games in FijiThe Drua have been held scoreless in two of their last three games at half-time
Key Match Up
Caleb Muntz v Noah Lolesio
Muntz and Lolesio will be duelling it out in the quest to get their side off to the perfect start.
The Fijian was one of the standouts of the Spring Tour for Fiji after injury derailed his Super season.
Likewise, Lolesio is coming off arguably his best Test season and will be tasked with guiding the under-strength Brumbies to victory in the testing conditions.
Prediction
Drua by 2
Saturday 15 February 5:05 pm AEDT – Blues v Chiefs at Eden Park, Auckland, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Teams
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Josh Fusitua, Angus Ta’avao, Che Clark, Adrian Choat, Fin Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi will play his 150th game for the BluesCameron Suafoa starts in the back row with no Hoskins SotutuThere are two potential debutantes in the reserves in former New Zealand Sevens representative Che Clark and hooker Nathaniel Pole
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAllister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa
Off-season recruits Brodie McAlister and Leroy Carter have both been named in the starting sideAll Black Josh Lord returns from injury in the second row alongside Naitoa Ah KuoiDamian McKenzie shifts to fullback, with Josh Jacomb named at flyhalf
Stats
The Blues have won seven of their last nine against the Chiefs, the same amount that they’d won in their previous 29 encounters.The Chiefs lost three of their last five games to finish the season, failing to score less than 17 games in those defeats.The Blues have begun five of their last six Super Rugby campaigns with a win.
Key Match Up
Beauden Barrett v Damian McKenzie
The battle of the All Blacks flyhalves at the back.
Barrett returns from his Japanese stint looking to begin the Blues’ title defence with a bang.
McKenzie, meanwhile, is coming off one of his best Super Rugby seasons and is spurred on by the disappointments of the Final.
Prediction
Blues by 6
Saturday 15 February 7:35 pm AEDT – Western Force v Moana Pasifika at HBF Park, Perth, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Teams
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Reed Prinsep, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Dylan Pietsch
Off-season signings Nic Dolly, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu and Mac Grealy will make their Force debuts as startersWallabies winger Dylan Pietsch will make his club debut off the bench Five-cap All Blacks prop Atu Moli also debuts off the bench after a long term battle with injury
PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Feteleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Samuel Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Tupou Tailoa, Melani Matavo, Danny Toala
Ardie Savea will captain the side on club debut, starting at number eightJackson Garden-Bachop starts at flyhalf, joined by new faces Lalomilo Lalomilo and Solomon Alaimalo.Tight-head prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou will make his Super Rugby debut in the starting side
Stats
The Western Force have won four of their five games at HBF Park, conceding an average of 17 points per gameMoana Pasifika have scored an average of 15.4 points per game in their last nine Super Rugby gamesMoana Pasifika have won three of their last four games in Australia
Key Match-Up
Ardie Savea v Vaiolini Ekuasi
Savea has all the weight on his shoulders as he looks to turn around Moana Pasifika.
The back-rower is one of the best in the world and will be motivated to start his tenure as captain with a win.
Meanwhile, Ekuasi is moving west from the Rebels and is looking to recapture his 2023 form where he bulldozed opposition defences.
Prediction
Force by 14
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