The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific finals series roars to life in Christchurch, where the mighty Crusaders prepare to defend their fortress against a Queensland Reds side chasing history. No Australian team has ever conquered Kiwi soil in a finals clash—but Les Kiss’s Reds are determined to break that curse under the shadow of the Southern Alps.
From there, the drama shifts north for a blockbuster rematch of last year’s Final, as the Chiefs and Blues reignite one of the fiercest rivalries in Super Rugby. With redemption on the line for the Blues and pride driving the Chiefs, every tackle will sting and every point will matter.
The weekend’s action culminates in the capital, where the ACT Brumbies welcome the Hurricanes to a fired-up Canberra crowd. With both sides dreaming of silverware and desperate to punch their ticket to the next stage, this showdown promises to deliver fireworks to close out the round.
CRUSADERS VS REDS
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, NZ. Friday, June 6th.
Just in time for finals footy, the Crusaders have received a timely boost—superstar fullback Will Jordan is back from a knee injury, bringing with him the kind of spark that can light up even the coldest Christchurch night.
In the midfield, captain David Havili links up with the elusive Braydon Ennor in a fresh new combination, as Dallas McLeod and Levi Aumua make way. With Havili’s leadership and Ennor’s pace, the Crusaders will be looking to slice through the Reds’ defensive line.
But as dark clouds gather over the South Island, the forecast is as grim as it is cold. The Queensland Reds—used to the sun-drenched training grounds of Brisbane—might find more than just the Crusaders’ defence a little hard to handle. Let’s hope they packed more than just their rugby boots.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod
Just days out from their toughest test of the season, the Queensland Reds have received a massive lift—Wallabies captain and spiritual leader Harry Wilson has been cleared to play in Friday night’s qualifying final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
There were anxious faces in the Reds camp last week when Wilson left the field clutching his arm during their emphatic 52-7 demolition of the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium. For a moment, it looked like Queensland’s campaign might lose its heartbeat. But the scans came back clean, and the talismanic No.8 is now locked in and ready to lead from the front in enemy territory.
Reds head coach Les Kiss has also made a tactical tweak, elevating the explosive Filipo Daugunu to the starting wing in place of young flyer Tim Ryan. With Daugunu’s experience and flair out wide and Wilson’s unshakable presence in the middle, the Reds are gearing up for a fight worthy of finals footy—cold weather, red-hot stakes, and everything in between.
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, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
CHIEFS VS BLUES
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, NZ. Saturday June 7th.
The Chiefs will march into Saturday’s high-stakes showdown against the Blues without two of their most trusted midfield generals, forcing a reshuffle just when experience matters most.
Quinn Tupaea, a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ backline, was stretchered off last weekend after a brutal collision in the win over the Highlanders, leaving the field with a deep gash above his eye. Though scans brought relief—no serious structural damage—the All Blacks centre hasn’t recovered in time to take the field in Hamilton.
With Anton Lienert-Brown also unavailable, the midfield reins will fall to the relatively untested pairing of Daniel Rona and Gideon Wrampling. Both have shown promise, but they’ll be stepping into the fire against a battle-hardened Blues outfit with a title to defend.
In another bold move, head coach Clayton McMillan has opted for Simon Parker at No.8, leaving breakout All Blacks sensation Wallace Sititi on the bench. It’s a selection that raises eyebrows, but McMillan clearly believes in Parker’s ability to bring grit and control to the breakdown.
As the Chiefs prepare to face their northern rivals, they’ll do so with a new-look lineup—and a point to prove.
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo
The Blues have made just one change with Adrian Choat replacing Anton Segner at blindside flanker.
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, 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, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referee: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
BRUMBIES VS HURRICANES
GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia, Saturday, June 7th.
Just in time for their do-or-die clash against the Hurricanes, the Brumbies have been handed a major boost—skipper Allan Alaalatoa is back.
The inspirational tighthead prop returns from a calf strain that sidelined him during the Brumbies’ bitterly contested and controversial loss to the Crusaders. His absence was felt both in the scrums and in the leadership stakes, but now, with the season on the line, Alaalatoa is ready to anchor the forward pack once more.
Feao Fotuaika, who stepped up admirably in Alaalatoa’s absence, returns to the bench—but make no mistake, the Brumbies’ engine room just got a whole lot more powerful with their captain back at the helm.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, 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, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, 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, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan
A crisp Canberra chill is set to settle over GIO Stadium on Saturday night, the kind that makes your breath visible and your hands slippery—perfect conditions for classic wet-weather rugby. Expect a night of gritty forward battles, tactical kicking, and more than a few handling errors as the elements play their part in shaping the outcome.
But here’s where things get interesting: depending on how the weekend unfolds, the Brumbies and Hurricanes might both find themselves in the semi-finals—win or lose. Should the Chiefs and Crusaders emerge victorious in their respective qualifying finals, the beaten side in Canberra will still sneak through as the highest-ranked “lucky loser.” It’s a rare twist in the finals script—one where fate might just smile on the fallen.
Comments