It was a compelling start to Super Rugby Pacific. Two matches were decided by a solitary point after regulation time, while the Crusaders and Chiefs rallied from deficits to sneer big victories over 2024 frontrunners the Hurricanes and Blues, respectively.
Here are four of the best performances from the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific 2025.
Kyle Preston (Crusaders)
Preston spent a week training with the Crusaders last year after assistant coach Tamati Ellison asked him to help out while Willi Heinz was injured.
Preston enjoyed his time in Christchurch so much that he decided to sign for the Crusaders when interest from the Hurricanes proved lukewarm after a stellar NPC.
Preston, a former roofer, scored eight tries for the Wellington Lions in their triumphant NPC campaign and haunted many of his teammates with a stunning hat-trick on his Super Rugby debut on Friday night. He is the first New Zealand player to score three tries on his Super Rugby debut.
Replacing Noah Hotham in the ninth minute Preston was assured, cleared quickly, and enjoyed a happy knack for being in the right place at the right time.
His retrieval of a Sevu Reece kick was superb anticipation while his dummy and snip close to the line to seal the deal is exactly what you want from an exuberant halfback.
Preston comes from a rugby family. His father, Richard, is heavily involved in the Wellington game.
Brothers Ryan and Adam are former Tawa Premier players, like Kyle, whose career caught fire with rivals Old Boys University.
Preston helped the students win the Jubilee Cup in 2020 and 2024. Since 2022 in Wellington senior rugby he has scored 35 tries in 47 games.
All Blacks Reece (19 carries, 3 line breaks, try) and Ethan Blackadders (17 tackles) were also productive for the Crusaders.
Taniela Tupou (Waratahs)
Tupou has come under fire for his lack of durability but hit the ground running by playing the most minutes he has since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Tupou won a scrum penalty, and a turnover, and set up Rob Leota in the first half with a spiral pass.
Force recruit Siosifa Amone ensured the Warathas beat the Highlanders 37-36 with two late tries. There were also compelling displays for the Waratahs by loose forward Langi Gleeson and debutant fullback Joseph Suaalii.
Chiefs’ bench
With two tries and 20 of the 25 Chiefs points fullback, Damian McKenzie was a popular choice for man of the match in his side’s 25-14 win over the Blues, but the Chiefs bench had a seismic impact.
Down 14-6 in heavy rain five All Blacks Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown and Emoni Narawa made a huge impact when they took to the field during the second half.
Lienert-Brown had 11 carries, Vaa’i was effective in the lineouts, while Ratima prevented Blues and All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a from scoring a try with a courageous sliding tackle in the right corner.
It remains to be seen if Chiefs coach Clayton McMillian is prepared to leave as much heavy artillery on the bench week-to-week, but it was certainly a point of difference in the first round.
Ben Donaldson (Western Force)
It will be hard to top Ben Donaldson’s 70-metre try in the 84th minute to inspire the Western Force to a 45-44 win over Moana Pasifika as the individual try of the season.
A sharp dummy and searing turn of pace created a hole and Donaldson kept on going, as he did throughout the whole game.
Earlier the 16-time Wallaby slotted six conversions and a penalty for a haul of 20 points. The most points Donaldson has scored in a Super Rugby match was 23 in a 48-10 win over Fijian Dura last year.
The Force record is 25 by Cameron Shepherd in a 30-27 upset of the 2007 champions the Bulls. Donaldson did score 25 points for the Wallabies in their 35-15 win over Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Ardie Savea was busy on his Moana debut with 16 tackles and 14 carries. Carlo Tizzano topped the Super Rugby tackle count in 2024 with 240 and led this contest with 20.
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