The second round of Super Rugby produced 52 tries and 19 lead changes in five matches.
Such high-scoring and unpredictable games brought a plethora of outstanding individual performances.
Here are four players putting their hands up early in 2025 with the best performances of Super Rugby Pacific round two.
Simon Parker (Chiefs)
The Northland flanker out of St Peter’s Cambridge covers all three loose positions and is a rapidly rising player. In 2024 he was a late addition to the All Blacks XV and started in the 31-13 win against Georgia in Montpellier
How two outings for the Chiefs in 2025 have been outstanding. In the record 49-24 win against the Crusaders, Parker produced a dozen tackles with seven carries and two line breaks in an explosive performance. Indeed, he delivered the last pass for two tries.
Parker has the height to be an effective lineout option and an engine that ensures he can be consistently damaging.
In the Chiefs’ 25-14 win over the Blues in the first round Chiefs coach Clayton McMillian singled Parker out for praise when he said.
“Simon had some massive moments. Really happy for him because he’s had to play second-fiddle to some of the blokes who have been running around for us but he was always earmarked as somebody with a lot of talent.”
The biggest defeat the Crusaders have suffered was 52-16 against the Reds in 1996. Locks Garrick Morgan and John Eales had a field day. Morgan scored two tries and Eales kicked 22 points. The Chiefs biggest win previously against the Crusaders was 40-16 in 2015.
Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
Imposed himself from the outset against the Fijian Dura with a break after 30 seconds to set up Du Plessis Kirfi. He delivered the last pass for a Brayden Iose try and scored himself in the second half to propel the Hurricanes into the lead.
The poise and class of Roigard is helping first-five Harry Godfrey settle quickly into the starting role. Godfrey made a telling break before halftime that set up a try and bagged the winner along with a sideline conversion that underscored his growing credentials.
Finn Hurley (Highlanders)
In a rousing tribute to the enormously popular Connor Garden-Bachop the Highlanders rallied from behind twice to stun the defending champions.
Initially, it appeared the Blues would steamroll the hosts, jumping quickly to a 14-3 lead, but Hurley sparked a first-half resurgence with a try from a Jeff Wilson-like chip and chase.
In the second half Hurley, with notable support from Caleb Tangitau and Folau Fakatava, punished a gormless Beauden Barrett kick after the visitors had regained the lead.
Hurley was a New Zealand Under 20 rep in 2022. He has played 20 games and scored six tries for Otago. He has a reputation for doing the unusual.
In 2021, he won the Otago Boys High School, a Highlanders First XV final 26-24 against Southland Boys’ High School with a drop goal that the Otago Daily Times waxed lyrical about.
“Words fail, really. But outrageous seemed the best fit…He looked every bit like Bert Sutcliffe out there with his head in a bandage.”
Darcy Swain (Western Force)
The Western Force became the first team in Super Rugby history to win consecutive matches while conceding 40 points after their incredible 45-42 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra – their first win in the Australian capital for 14 years.
The Force leaped out to a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes before four yellow cards threatened to unravel much of their good work.
The Force gained considerable impetus from the lineout. Swain who played 78 games (53 wins) for the Brumbies was a menace winning ample possession and unsettling a strong suit of the Brumbies.
Swain has a shocking record of ill-discipline at the international level with a red card for the Wallabies against England and a cowardly attack on All Black Quinn Tupaea.
However, at six feet seven and 113 kg, there’s no doubt he brings an appealing physical edge. With renewed focus could Swain add to his 17 Test caps in 2025?
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