There’s only been one round of Super Rugby Pacific in 2025, but three former All Blacks are predicting that this season will be the closest in recent memory.
Three Australian-based Super Rugby teams were able to pick up round one victories, showcasing what will likely be better seasons for the Australian franchises, after the Melbourne Rebels players have split into multiple different squads this season.
All five games in round one were decided by a 1-12 margin, with many of the games coming down to the last moments to decide the winner.
Speaking on The Breakdown, former All Black turned Sky Sports commentator Jeff Wilson predicts this Super Rugby Pacific season will exceed expectations set at the start of the season.
“Pure and simple. This will be the closest Super Rugby competition we’ve had for a long, long time, and I can tell you why, because everyone, bar, I think the Hurricanes, who I think can perform to what they did last year. I think everyone else can be better,” Wilson said on The Breakdown.
“Ultimately coaches have had more opportunities and are in their second year, for the likes of Rob Penney, Vern Cotter, Clark Laidlaw, they’ll be better at doing their job.
“Jamie Joseph taking the helm down in Dunedin and you think about all of the Australian teams and the stock that has moved around, the fact that all of a sudden they’ve got some depth.”
Wilson also believes that Ardie Savea moving to Moana Pasifika has majorly improved Tana Umaga’s side.
“And we know Artie Savea has already made a big difference to Moana Pasifika”.
When asked whether the two 2024 Super Rugby finalists the Chiefs and the Blues can improve on last year’s season, Wilson is adamant the experience will only make both teams better for the 2025 campaign.
“Just through experience, understanding the fact you can evolve. But I think coaches will understand where they need to make improvements, and you’ll have to be better, because across the ditch, three wins already for the three Australian teams.
“The Brumbies had a win. The Western Force have had a win and the Waratahs have had a win.”
“They’re in a different mindset now. In 2025 the New Zealand teams are on notice.”
81-Test former All Black Justin Marshall is interested to see how the Blues deal with the “favourites” tag, saying that the mindset will be a challenge.
“The mindset is also a problem though. When you’re the reigning champions, and the Blues haven’t had to deal with that for a very long time.
“So the targets on their back, but they were not the favourites last year. This year everybody wants to knock them over.”
Sky Sports commentator and rugby analyst Mils Muliaina thinks the Crusaders and Rob Penney must grow their game, if they want to be in contention this season.
“The Crusaders had their most unsuccessful year last year. They have to get better. They have to try and evolve the style they played last year.
“The Chiefs came and they and they out muscled them, and they’ve got to find the different way they can actually play that different style.”
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