Super Rugby Pacific is finally here, as the 10 teams playing confirm their squads for round one of the 2025 season.
The opening round is headlined by a blockbuster Grand Final rematch as the Blues take on the Chiefs at Eden Park.
The NSW Waratahs will unveil a host of new recruits, including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, as they host a new-look Highlanders in Sydney.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders open the season against the Hurricanes whilst the Fijian Drua face the ACT Brumbies in Suva and Ardie Savea’s Moana Pasifika travel to Perth to play the Western Force.
The Queensland Reds have the bye.
ROUND 1 TEAMS
*All times local
Crusaders v Hurricanes
FRI 14 February: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (19:05)
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christin Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahil, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Cameron Roigard, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputou, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Ngatungane Punivai
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Jackson Henshaw & Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan.
The Crusaders can’t be as bad as they were last year, right? They still have issues at No. 10, but with Will Jordan, Scott Barrett and Tamaiti Williams all fit again, they are far stronger line up than the one that finished 2024. The Hurricanes no longer have Jordie Barrett and fly-half Brett Cameron is gone for the season; but Asafo Aumua remains a powerhouse
NSW Waratahs v Highlanders
FRI 14 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, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Lui Naeata, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Michael Manson, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper & Matt Kellahan
TMO: Ollie Kellett
Given the Waratahs’ vast spread of new recruits, there is likely to be some rustiness in their game under new coach Dan McKellar. The Highlanders meanwhile did a job on NSW in Sydney last year and they will have nothing to lose in a game few expect them to win. However, the Waratahs superior backline firepower should see them home.
Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies
SAT 15 February: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji (15:35)
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (co-c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Vuate Karawalevu, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Meli Tuni, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani (co-c), Peni Matawalu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Judah Saumaisue, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Kadin Pritchard
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Michael Winter & Stu Curran
TMO: Marcus Playle
This is a mighty challenge for the Brumbies first up, given they will be playing in stifling conditions in Suva. If they let the Drua get an early jump on them, then it could be a long afternoon in the heat. The Brumbies are also without Wallabies stars Rob Valetini, Tom Wright and Len Ikitau.
Blues v Chiefs
SAT 15 February: Eden Park, Auckland (19:05)
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Josh Fusitua, Angus Ta’avao, Che Clark, Adrian Choat, Fin Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAllister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert Brown, Emoni Narawa
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane & Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Brett Cronan
Beauden Barrett’s return adds even greater firepower to the Blues’ backline while Damian McKenzie’s move to fullback is a surprise given his play at No. 10 last season. There is no Hoskins Sotutu to start the season for the hosts, but there is still a load of quality up front
Western Force v Moana Pasifika
SAT 15 February: HBF Park, Perth (16:35)
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Reed Prinsep, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Dylan Pietsch
PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Feteleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Samuel Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Tupou Tailoa, Melani Matavo, Danny Toala
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: George Myers & Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie
Just how much impact can Ardie Savea have on Moana? That is the question on everyone’s lips at the start of the season. Again, the Force have a heap of new recruits and cohesion could be a problem early days, though at least the halves combination of Nic White and Ben Donaldson remains. This could be the game that supplies the R1 upset.
I will stick my neck out here and predict the winners.
CRUSADERS–WARATAHS–BRUMBIES–BLUES–FORCE.
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