There are plenty of big matches on the schedule for this week as SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's head into overdrive.
In Super Rugby Pacific, the NSW Waratahs open the round against the Hurricanes, followed by the ACT Brumbies hosting the Highlanders in Canberra.
The Crusaders face Moana Pasifika whilst the Queensland Reds take on the Western Force in Brisbane.
In Super Rugby Women's, the Waratahs can wrap up the minor premiership with a win over the Brumbies as the Reds and Force battle for a home semi-final.
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, Zach Gallagher, 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: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Jordi Viljoen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks
- Asafo Aumua will co-captain the side as he starts at hooker
- Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax are named in the starting front row
- Riley Hohepa starts at flyhalf, with Harry Godfrey out for 4-6 weeks with a leg injury
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Julian Heaven, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Archie Saunders, Joey Walton (c), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Darby Lancaster, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Daniel Botha, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is back, named at outside centre
- Joey Walton captains the side at inside centre, with Hugh Sinclair rested
- Archie Saunders is set for his Super Rugby Pacific debut, named on the wing
- The Hurricanes have won their last seven games against the NSW Waratahs, scoring an average of 35.3 points per game.
- The Hurricanes have not trailed at half-time to the Waratahs in their last five games.
- The Waratahs have not won in NZ since round 14 2022 against the Highlanders.
Asafo Aumua v Julian Heaven
The Waratahs will need to shut down explosive hooker Asafo Aumua to give themselves a shot at breaking their drought against the Hurricanes. Aumua is a rare five-tool player, able to beat you with his pace, power and scrummaging ability.
It’s up to third-string hooker Julian Heaven to step up and match the All Black across the park after a excellent showing off the bench last week.
Hurricanes by 8
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Klayton Thorn, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
- Harrison Goddard and Rory Scott start, with Ryan Lonergan and Luke Reimer rested
- David Feliuai has been cleared of a concussion and starts in the midfield.
- Liam Bowron, Tuaina Taii Tualima and Klayton Thorn come onto the bench.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, TK Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Caleb Tangitau, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Ajay Faleafaga, Tanielu Tele’a
- Daniel Lienert-Brown is back from suspension, replacing Ethan de Groot.
- TK Howden moves to blindside flanker and vice-captain Sean Withy moves to number eight in place of the injured Nikora Broughton.
- Sam Gilbert starts at fullback with Finn Hurley out with a quad complaint.
- The ACT Brumbies have won their last four games against the Highlanders
- The last four Super Rugby Pacific games at GIO Stadium between these two sides have been separated by one or two points at half-time
- The ACT Brumbies have won 11 of their last 12 games at GIO Stadium, whilst the Highlanders have lost 10 of their last 11 games in Australia
James Slipper v Saula Ma’u
The Reds exploited the Highlanders’ scrum last week, and James Slipper will be out to do a similar job this week. Saula Ma’u came under a mountain of pressure last week, and Slipper will test him early and often at set-piece time.
If the Brumbies can gain the same dominance, it’ll be a long night for Ma’u and the Highlanders.
Brumbies by 5
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, James O'Connor, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi Aumua
- Jamie Hannah returns from injury in the second-row for the first time this year.
- George Bower will come off the bench this week to start at prop alongside Fletcher Newel.l
- Ethan Blackadder returns from injury to start at openside, with Fletcher Anderson also added to the back-row.
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna Tuitama
- Ardie Savea is back from a hamstring injury in the back-row.
- Tito Tuipulotu and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou have been named in the starting front-row.
- Tevita Ofa and Solomon Alaimalo form a new-look wing partnership.
- The Crusaders have won all four games against Moana Pasifika, scoring an average of 38.8 points and winning both games in Christchurch by an average of 25 points.
- The Crusaders have scored 40+ points in their last three games, their longest streak of 40+ point games since 2017.
- Moana Pasifika have either scored (twice) or conceded (four times) 40+ points in five of their last six games.
Ardie Savea v Ethan Blackadder
Ardie Savea is a massive inclusion into any side but has become integral to Moana Pasifika as their fearless leader.
Savea needs to spark the side into action if they want to make a finals run, stuck at the bottom of the ladder.
Meanwhile, Blackadder will be out to match Savea and dull his influence, allowing his backline to work over their counterparts.
Crusaders by 23
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith (c), Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
- Ryan Smith takes over the captaincy, with Harry Wilson rested
- Alex Hodgman and Massimo De Lutiis come back into the starting front row.
- Josh Nasser and Tate McDermott return via the bench.
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Relacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
- Dylan Pietsch is back from injury after overcoming a knee issue.
- Marley Pearce returns to the starting side.
- The Queensland Reds have won their last four games against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium by a combined scoreline of 147-73.
- The Queensland Reds have won their last four games at Suncorp Stadium in SRP.
- In just 14 mauls in 2025, the Western Force have scored five tries, the most whilst having the second least mauls.
Tom Lynagh v Ben Donaldson
This is a crucial battle with Super Rugby and Wallaby implications on the line.
The two halves have been the standouts from the Australian sides, and they know a big performance will go a long way to ensure their spots in the 23 for the first Lions Test.
Lynagh and Donaldson also rank in the top three for goal-kicking success rate, and their boots could be critical in the close moments.
Reds by 11
BRUMBIES (1-15): Sally Fuesaina, Tania Naden, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Ashley Fernandez, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu (c), Chioma Enyi, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ella Ryan, Faitala Moleka, Biola Dawa, Merania Paraone, Manua Moleka, Bienne Terita, Gabrielle Petersen
Replacements: Katalina Amosa, Lydia Kavoa, Iroha Kishimoto, Easter Savelio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Jay Huriwai, Kyah Little, Ashlea Bishop
- Sevens star Bienne Terita has been named for her Brumbies debut on the wing.
- Sally Fuesaina is a welcome return to the starting side, joined in the front-row by Tania Naden.
WARATAHS (1-15): Bridie O’Gorman, Adiana Talakai, Faliki Pohiva, Annabelle Codey, Kaitlan Leaney, Leilani Nathan, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck (c), Tatum Bird, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Waiaria Ellis
Replacements: Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Jayjay Taylor, Anahera Hamahona, Martha Harvey, Nicole Nathan, Amelia Whitaker
- The Waratahs have named an uncharged starting side from a fortnight ago
- Anahera Hamahona is one of three fresh faces off the bench after last week's Penina Pasifika trial, alongside Jayjay Taylor and Martha Harvey
- An Australian team in Super Rugby W has never beaten the NSW Waratahs
- The Waratahs have scored 40+ in their last two games against the Brumbies
- Despite sitting last, the Brumbies have conceded the second least points in the competition, only behind the Waratahs.
Faitala Moleka v Arabella McKenzie
Another battle of potential Test tens in a big year for the national side.
Moleka ended the year as the incumbent after McKenzie’s battle with injury and pressed her claims with a brilliant WXV 2 season.
McKenzie has more than responded at club level for the Waratahs and will be out to send a message on Friday.
Waratahs by 10
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Veneta Teutau, Jemma Bemrose (co-c), Carola Kreis, Sarah Riordan, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Ivania Wong (co-c), Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Caitlin Urwin, Charlotte Caslick
Replacements: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Zoe Hanna, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Piper Flynn
- Lock Veneta Teutau comes into the starting side
- Former Wallaroo Sarah Riordan is back at number eight after a week off.
FORCE (1-15): Megumi Takagi, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Tamika Jones, Ashley Marsters, Pia Tapsell; Mio Yamanaka, Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
Replacements: Madi Schuck, Hannah Palelei, Alapeta Ngauamo, Rosie Ebbage, Nami Dickson, Nicole Ledington, Ngamihi Monk, Samantha Treherne
- Props Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Megumi Takagi start in the front-row
- Five-cap Wallaroo Madi Schuck has been added to the bench
- The Western Force claimed their first win over the Reds last year, their first win over their Queensland counterparts in the history of the competition
- The Force are the most potent attack side, scoring the most tries (14) in the competition, however, have conceded the second most (13).
- No team has created more clean breaks than the Reds (26), with the Queensland side also sitting top for tackle success rate (87%).
Tiarah Minns v Michaela Leonard
The two locks have been lineout menaces in 2025, and the battle of the set-piece will be the deciding factor in this game.
Minns has been excellent in all aspects of the game and is one of the more underrated signings of Super Rugby W.
However, Leonard is the Wallaroos captain for a reason and will be gunning to give the Force a home semi-final.
Reds by 2
