It's a bumper weekend of Rugby as the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's reach the crunch stages of competition.
The weekend is headlined by the Super Rugby W Final between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Catch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific and Women's live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, the Reds and ACT Brumbies battle it out in Brisbane for claims over who is the top Australian team in the competition.
The NSW Waratahs face the Chiefs on Friday whilst other big matches include the Crusaders facing the Hurricanes, the Highlanders hosting the Drua and a battle of the bridge between the Blues and Moana Pasifika.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
- Raymond Tuputupu is the lone change to the 23 from last week, coming onto the bench.
- Peter Umaga-Jensen and Pouri Rakete-Stones will play their 50th games for the clu.b
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Matt Moulds, George Bower, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Antonio Shalfoon, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Macca Springer
- David Havili comes back into the midfield and captains the side alongside Levi Aumua.
- Cullen Grace and Scott Barrett are big inclusions into the midfield.
- Ioane Moananu replaces Codie Taylor, who is ruled out with a concussion.
- No team has won the week after defeating the Fijian Drua in Fiji, with the Crusaders out to become the first.
- The Hurricanes have won 10 of the last 12 games at Sky Stadium, yet only four of their last ten there against Kiwi oppositions.
- The Hurricanes are hunting for back-to-back wins over the Crusaders for the first time since March 2018
David Havili v Peter Umaga-Jensen
Havili is a welcome return for the Crusaders despite their win over the Drua and looms as a major threat for the Hurricanes.
The centre has thrived with the captaincy and faces a massive clash against Umaga-Jensen.
The Wellington product has been reliable in the midfield and needs a big game to continue their revival.
Hurricanes by 3
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Julian Heaven, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Henry O’Donnell
- Jamie Adamson gets his first start at Super Rugby level, replacing Charlie Gamble (ill).
- Joey Walton returns to the starting side, shifting Lalakai Foketi to outside centre.
- Leafi Talataina has been added to the bench.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling, Shaun Stevenson, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Profit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa
- Josh Jacomb starts at flyhalf, moving Damian McKenzie to fullback
- Samisoni Taukei’aho returns to the starting side alongside Tupou Vaa’i and Gideon Wrampling
- Cortez Ratima places his 50th game for the club
- The Chiefs have won their last eight matches against the Waratahs, however, have not lead at half-time in their last three wins.
- The Waratahs haven’t won at home against the Chiefs since 2016, losing their last five by an average of 24 points.
- This is the Chiefs’ first trip to Australia in 2025 - they haven’t lost in their first visit in Australia since 2019
Key Match Up
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii v Damian McKenzie
This is the type of match-up to get anyone excited; two of the biggest stars in the game going head-to-head.
McKenzie is a bonafide superstar, able to create some magic from the smallest of chances.
Suaalii showed his class against Moana Pasifika but will only raise his star power even further if he’s able to get the best of the All Blacks star.
Chiefs by 19
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, PJ Sheck, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta
- Hooker Ricky Riccitelli returns from injury to join the starting side.
- Angus Ta’avao slots in to replace Marcel Renata, who has been ruled out with a calf injury.
- AJ Lam plays his 50th Super Rugby game, named at inside centre.
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Pepesana Patafilo, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, James Lay, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Sione Havili Talitui, Aisea Halo, Patrick Pellegrini, Fine Inisi
- Miracle Faiilagi returns to the starting side for the derby clash
- Jackson Garden-Bachop moves into the starting fly-half role, pairing up with Manu Samoa international Melani Matavao
- Sione Havili Talitui and James Lay return via the bench
- The Blues have won all four matches against Moana Pasifika by an average margin of 20.8 points.
- The Blues have not scored more than 20 points in their last four games at Eden Park; previously, they’d exceeded 20 points in 29 of their previous 32 games.
- Moana Pasifika are on a red hot run with back-to-back wins, the first time in their history, whilst also scoring 40+ points in three of their last four games - more times they’d manage in their entire team in prior competition.
Ardie Savea v Hoskins Sotutu
The battle of the bridge will be defined by what happens in the middle of the pack with these two powerful number eights.
Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika may go down as the most impactful in Super Rugby history and has them on the verge of a top six spot.
It’s up to fellow All Black Sotutu to negate his influence and impose himself on the game to steady the Blues’ title defence.
Blues by 2
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Taniela Filimone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Tai Cribb, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Folau Fakatava and Hugh Renton are all back from injury.
- Tonga winger Taniela Filimone will make his Super Rugby debut.
- Former NZ U20s forward Tai Cribb is also in line for his Highlanders debut from the bench.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Mesulame Dolokoto (co-c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi (co-c), Selestino Ravutaumada, Caleb Muntz
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
- Caleb Muntz has been named at fullback.
- Mesulame Dolokoto and Iosefo Masi are co-captains in the absence of Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani.
- Simione Kuruvoli replaces Lomani at scrumhalf, with Philip Baselala in the squad for the first time in 2025.
- The Highlanders are undefeated against the Fijian Drua, winning all of their matches by an average of 24 points.
- The Fijian Drua have lost their last 20 matches outside of Fiji by an average of 21.5 points.
- Each of the Highlanders’ last seven games have been decided by a margin of nine points or fewer, winning just two of them.
Hugh Renton v Elia Canakaivata
Renton has been missed badly by the Highlanders, with the co-captain’s work rate crucial.
The back row is a big part of the Highlanders team and will be out to inspire them to victory.
Canakaivata will have similar thoughts after a tough loss against the Crusaders.
Highlanders by 11
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Richie Asaita, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomana-Allen, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell
- Seru Uru returns to the back-row, with Harry Wilson out with a fractured arm.
- Tom Lynagh and Tim Ryan are back in the starting side.
- Captain Tate McDermott will play his 100th game for the Reds.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
- Tuaina Taii Tualima has been elevated into the starting side, pushing Rob Valetini to blindside flanker.
- Tom Hooper moves into the second-row.
- Andy Muirhead brings up 100 games for the ACT side.
Noah Lolesio v Tom Lynagh
Another week, another big match-up of the tens.
Lolesio is the incumbent for the Wallabies but faces serious pressure from Lynagh, especially after the Brumbies’ confirmed move to Japan.
He needs to assert himself on the position and make his selection undeniable.
Reds by 5
WARATAHS (1-15): Bridie O’Gorman, Adiana Talakai, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Nicole Nathan, Emily Chancellor (c), Ruby Anderson, Tatum Bird, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
Replacements: Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Jayjay Taylor, Anahera Hamahona, Martha Harvey, Jade Sheridan, Waiaria Ellis
- Nicole Nathan starts in the backrow, replacing twin sister Leilani after her season-ending knee injury.
- Ruby Anderson starts at number eight after a shoulder injury to captain Piper Duck.
- Emily Chancellor takes over the captaincy in her place.
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Veneta Teutau, Zoe Hanna, Carola Kreis, Maraea Tupai, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer (co-c), Ivania Wong (co-c), Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Caitlin Urwin, Charlotte Caslick
Replacements: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Piper Flynn
- Zoe Hanna returns to the starting side, with Jemma Bemrose ruled out.
- She is joined by Maraea Tupai in the back-row, with Dillyn Blackburn coming onto the bench.
- Lori Cramer takes over the co-captaincy alongside Ivania Wong.
- The Waratahs have won all 12 of their games against the Queensland Reds, with five of their last seven wins coming by margins of 20 points or more.
- There have been three finals between the two sides, with two of those decided by a margin of just three points.
- The Reds have won their last three games, the third time they’ve won three straight in the comp but they’ve never won four in a row.
Caitlyn Halse v Charlotte Caslick
Halse grew up idolising Caslick and now faces the tough task of shutting her down.
The Reds’ rise has coincided with Caslick’s move into the starting side, adding some class to the backline.
Meanwhile, Halse is back from a hamstring injury and knows a big game will go a long way to securing the title and her spot in the Wallaroos starting side.
Waratahs by 8
