Final Round Drama: Super Rugby Pacific Set for a Blockbuster Finish
As the curtain prepares to fall on the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific regular season, every match in the final round carries high-stakes consequences. The finals picture remains a swirling puzzle—and each team knows what’s on the line.
The action kicks off in Dunedin, where the table-topping Chiefs aim to lock in the minor premiership against the Highlanders. But their grip on the summit is far from secure. Hot on their heels, the Brumbies and Crusaders collide in a fierce showdown that could catapult either side into first place—if the Chiefs falter.
Saturday brings a trans-Tasman clash with everything to play for. The Blues host the NSW Waratahs in a virtual elimination match, both sides desperate to clinch a ticket to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika still have a pulse—if they can conquer the Hurricanes in Wellington, their dream lives on.
The regular season reaches its climax in Brisbane, where the Queensland Reds square off against the Fijian Drua. A win for the Reds, combined with a Hurricanes loss, would see them leap into fourth spot and earn a coveted home quarter-final.
As for the Western Force, their campaign ends with a bye—and with it, any hope of a finals berth.
Highlanders v Chiefs
FRI 30 MAY: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (19:05)
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Tai Cribb, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Cam Millar, Taniela Filimore, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Leroy Carter, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Manasa Mataele
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referee: Marcus Playle, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
ACT BRUMBIES V CRUSADERS
FRI 30 MAY: GIO Stadium, Canberra (19:35)
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, 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, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Braydon Ennor
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
BLUES V NSW WARATAHS
SAT 31 MAY: Eden Park, Auckland (16:35)
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, 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, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair (c), Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Lawson Creighton
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Leafi Talataina, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Paul Williams, George Myers
TMO: Brett Cronan
HURRICANES V MOANA PASIFIKA
SAT 31 MAY: SKY Stadium, Wellington (19:05)
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Tjay Clarke
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Lotu Inisi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Pepesana Patafilo
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referee: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper
TMO: Glenn Newman
QUEENSLAND REDS V FIJIAN DRUA
SAT 31 MAY: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:35)
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Kitione Salawa, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakiavata, Simione Kuruvoli, Inia Tabuavou, Isikeli Rabitu
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
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