Culture Round: Celebrating Diversity Through Rugby
Culture Round kicks off in Auckland as Moana Pasifika return home to face the Highlanders. Super Rugby Pacific has long celebrated diversity, encapsulated in the recent slogan, The Power of the Pacific, bringing people from all corners of the world together.
The round begins on Friday night with Moana Pasifika taking on the Highlanders. The home side will don their Heritage Jersey, commemorating the 2004 Pacific Islanders team. This jersey is a replica of the one worn by the Pacific Islanders when they faced the All Blacks at North Harbour Stadium—now Moana Pasifika’s home ground.
In Sydney, Allianz Stadium will host a clash between the NSW Waratahs and the Fijian Drua. The Drua will perform their pre-match challenge, the I-bole, which they first unveiled against the Waratahs in 2022. Fans will also witness the season opener between the NSW Waratahs Women and the Fijiana Drua.
On Saturday, FMG Stadium Waikato will host the inaugural Rugby & Rhythms Music Festival, presented by the Chiefs. The event will feature live music throughout the day, leading up to a doubleheader: Chiefs Manawa vs. Matatū, followed by the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Chiefs and ACT Brumbies. The Brumbies will wear their Indigenous Jersey, while the Chiefs will debut their Rau Huia jersey, honoring the six provincial unions that make up Chiefs country.
In Wellington, music and dance will take center stage as Pasifika dancers and drummers set the tone for the Hurricanes vs. Blues matchup, which will also feature a doubleheader with the Hurricanes Poua and NIB Blues.
Over in Western Australia, HBF Park will showcase Indigenous Australian culture as the Western Force take on the Queensland Reds. A traditional smoking ceremony will precede the game, followed by an exchange of message sticks led by proud Darug man Kurtley Beale.
Match Fixtures:
- Auckland: Moana Pasifika vs. Highlanders
- Sydney: NSW Waratahs vs. Fijian Drua
- Hamilton: ACT Brumbies vs. Chiefs
- Wellington: Hurricanes vs. Blues
- Perth: Western Force vs. Queensland Reds
The Crusaders have a bye this round.
Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
FRI 28 February: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (19:05)
PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile’o, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Ola Tauelangi, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Tevita Ofa
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Josh Bartlett, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Sefo Kautai, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Saula Ma’u, Will Stodart, TK Howden, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jake Te Hiwi
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Marcus Playle
After last week’s heroics against the Blues it’s going to be hard to go past the Highlanders getting the job done yet again this week, but expect it to be a real arm wrestle. While they were blown away in the second half last week, Moana have shown real grit in 2025, and with a few changes to the bench expect a full 80-minute battle.
NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua
FRI 28 February: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (19:35)
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster, Lalakai Foketi, Henry O’Donnell, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Triston Reilly
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (co-c), Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Motikiai Murray, Meli Derenlagi, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Vuate Karawalevu, Inia Tabuavou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Ponipate Loganimasi, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Mesake Doge, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valetini
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: James Leckie
After a week off the Waratahs return to the pitch but without their “Ferrari” Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. It’s a hammer blow and will have huge ramifications for the match-up. The Drua will be raring to go after their tight loss to the Hurricanes and with 10 changes to the starting 15, both sides will be looking fresh. After displaying some fight they’d been lacking last year in their win over the Highlanders, the Tahs should get the job done here, but it’ll be tough.
CHIEFS V ACT BRUMBIES
SAT 1 March: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (16:35)
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Brodie McAllister, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i (c), Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Manasa Mataele, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Daniel Rona, Gideon Wrampling
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rory Scott, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Judah Saumaisue, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
Easily the match of the round, this clash promises to be big with the Chiefs the competition standouts, while the Brumbies will be smarting from their first loss at home against the Western Force in 5060 days. No Noah Lolesio is once again a big miss for the Brumbies, so too Rob Valetini in the backrow, while the Chiefs have named one of their strongest sides. This will be a tough battle, but the Chiefs will come home with the Win.
Hurricanes v Blues
SAT 1 March: SKY Stadium, Wellington (19:05)
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Ngatungane Punivai
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: James Mullan, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Two games in and two losses, not many people would have predicted this, especially not the Hurricanes. Making just one injury-forced replacement Vern Cotter is keeping faith in his squad and will be expecting plenty more from his star backline. Leaving it late against the Drua, the Canes will know they need to shore up their defences if they’re to get a win at home. This will be a tight one, but the Blues should finally get it right this week. But I am going for the upset here with the Canes at home in cold Wellington.
Western Force v Queensland Reds
SAT 1 March: HBF Park, Perth (16:35)
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Reesjan Pasitoa, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Dre Pakeho, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: Graham Cooper
Two matches and two wins, this Force team are proving themselves early this year and will give the Reds a run for their money. Both sides have had to deal with injury blows; the Force without Jeremy Williams (concussion), the Reds without Jock Campbell and Hunter Paisami (suspension) but with the return of Liam Wright from injury, former Crusader Heremaia Murray in fullback and young gun Dre Pakeho in centre the Reds look the better outfit – if they can get their discipline sorted!
Culture Round Highlights: Traditional Challenges, Jerseys, and Festivities
OOPS. Only got three correct in Round 2.The Highlanders upset the Blues, and the Force knocked off the Brumbies.
Soo, week 3 Tips,
Highlanders, Waratahs, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds.
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