Round Ten of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific is filled with big match-ups for the Easter weekend.
The Crusaders-Blues match-up is a timeless classic for Good Friday before a quadruple-header of action for Saturday.
Catch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
It starts in Fiji with the Fijian Drua hosting the NSW Waratahs, before Moana Pasifika take on the ACT Brumbies.
The Chiefs and Highlanders battle it out after that, followed by the Western Force welcoming the Hurricanes to Perth.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod
- Codie Taylor comes back into the front row after his concussion.
- Antonio Shalfoon is back starting at lock, paired with Scott Barrett.
- Dallas McLeod returns to the side via the bench.
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, Mark Tele’a, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer
- Caleb Clarke (thigh) is out, with Cole Forbes coming onto the wing.
- Zarn Sullivan has been named to start at fullback
- Hamdahn Tuipolotu, brother of captain Patrick, is in line for his debut via the bench.
- The Crusaders have won six of their last seven games against the Blues.
- The Blues have lost two of their last three NZ derbies, with two of those three games decided by just one point.
- Christian Lio-Willie (+82) and Sevu Reece (+76) have had a bigger positive plus/minus in points scored by their team than any other players when they have been on the field this Super Rugby Pacific season.
Scott Barrett v Patrick Tuipulotu
Two All Blacks at the heights of their game, looking to control the set-piece game - it’s enough to make any second-rower smile.
Barrett was brilliant last week for the Crusaders, showing his all-around skills as he pieced apart the Hurricanes.
Tuipulotu was similarly influential against Moana Pasifika, with the locks set to play a big role for their respective sides.
Crusaders by 5
DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Mesulame Dolokoto (co-c), Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi (co-c), Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Leone Nawai, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou
- Isikeli Rabitu has been named at fullback.
- Flanker Motikiai Murray comes into the back-row after serving his suspension.
- Leone Nawai and Kemu Valetini are among the new faces on the bench.
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Charlie Gamble, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Julian Heaven, Tom Lambert, Siosfia Amone, Miles Amatosero, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell
- Isaac Kailea starts with Angus Bell resting for this week.
- Leafi Talataina comes into the back-row, with Langi Gleeson named on the bench.
- Charlie Gamble returns after his illness, pushing Jamie Adamson to blindside flanker.
- The NSW Waratahs have won five of their last six games against the Fijian Drua.
- The Drua have won their last seven games at Churchill Park, scoring an average of 4.1 tries per game.
- The Waratahs have lost their last eight away games - their longest streak of away losses in nine years, which occurred between 1996 and 1997.
Elia Canakaivata v Leafi Talataina
Canakaivata has been an underrated star of the Fijian Drua pack, able to create something out of nothing.
The backrower was big in defeat last week against the Highlanders and will be desperate to spur the Drua to victory.
It’s up to Talataina to limit his effectiveness early by winning the collision battle, with his role especially crucial in a lighter back-row with two openside flankers named.
Waratahs by 2
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafile'o, Tom Savage, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, Fine Inisi, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Monu Moli, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Ola Tauelangi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Danny Toala
- Sione Havili Talitui will captain the team, with no Ardie Savea this week.
- Julian Savea will play his first game of the year in the centres.
- Monu Moli will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton
- Rhys van Nek starts at loosehead prop after Blake Schoupp’s season-ending injury.
- Lachlan Lonergan swaps with Billy Pollard as he starts at hooker.
- Hudson Creighton replaces Len Ikitau after the Wallabies’ concussion.
- The Brumbies have won their last two games and scored 60+ points in both of their wins.
- The Brumbies have won their last six games against Pacific Islanders teams.
- Moana Pasifika have scored 36.4 points this Super Rugby Pacific season, the most of any team; however, their 38.3 points conceded per game are also the most of any team.
Kyren Taumoefolau v Corey Toole
There’s nothing like two flyers going at it, with Taumoefolau and Toole on the short list for most exciting in Super Rugby Pacific.
Taumoefolau had had a rocky 2025 but showed late in the loss to the Blues his ability to create something out of nothing.
Toole possesses the same ability with his rapid feet and agile movements, which guarantees fireworks on Saturday.
Brumbies by 11
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Nawara, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Profit, Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown
- Damian McKenzie returns to the number 10 jersey allowing Shaun Stevenson to slot in at fullback.
- Brodie McAlister starts at hooker, with Samisomi Taukei’aho named on the bench.
- Anton Lienert-Brown has been named on the bench following his injury.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Sosefo Kautai, Mitch Dunshea, 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: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Te Kamaka Howden, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe
- Mitch Dunshea returns from injury in the second row
- Soane Vikena, TK Howden and Jonah Lowe are among the new faces on the bench.
- The Chiefs have won their last five games against the Highlanders
- The Highlanders have lost six of their last seven games outside of Forsyth Barr Stadium.
- The Chiefs (25.3) and the Highlanders (27.4) have conceded the fewest and the third fewest points, respectively, this Super Rugby Pacific season.
Quinn Tupaea v Timoci Tavatavanawai
This looms as a potential All Blacks battle, with the pair in fine form in 2025.
Tupaea is the form centre at the moment and a key part towards the Chiefs’ rise into the top two.
However, Tavatavanawai is pushing him all the way, leading to suggestions of a NZ call-up for the excellent midfielder.
Chiefs by 12
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (vc), Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Reed Prinsep (vc), Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, George Poolman
- Bayley Kuenzle starts on his return from injury on the wing.
- Henry Robertson is added among the back replacements.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilo Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor
- Ruben Love goes into 10 for the first time this season
- Co-Captains, Asafo Aumua, Brad Shields and Du’Plessis Kirifi will all be starting.
- Fatafehi Fineanganofo starts on the wing and Callum Harkin goes into fullback.
- The Hurricanes have won 12 of their last 13 games against the Western Force.
- The Western Force have won seven out of nine games at HBD Park, including their last five games against non-Australian teams.
- The Force are looking to win back-to-back games against NZ teams for the first time since March 2014.
Ben Donaldson v Ruben Love
Donaldson gets another test at flyhalf after Love’s surprise move from fullback.
The playmakers are two of the most dynamic in the game, able to break open a defence with multiple facets of their arsenal.
Whether it’s Love’s freak passes or Donaldson’s explosive running game, the only thing for sure is that you can expect high-level attack from both men.
Force by 4
