The Queensland Reds produced a stunning second-half fightback to claim a 26–17 victory over the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium, with Carter Gordon crossing twice as the hosts overturned a 17–12 deficit in the final quarter.

Key moments

7 mins – TRY REDS: Carter Gordon puts up a contestable kick from a scrum near halfway and neither James Hendren nor Jack Debreczeni can claim it. The ball bounces kindly for Jock Campbell, who dishes off to Harry Wilson to spin over. Louis Werchon converts. (Reds 7–0 Waratahs)

18 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs build sustained pressure close to the line after Clem Halaholo is held up over. Jake Gordon fires it down the short side and Jamie Adamson — a late inclusion for the injured Charlie Gamble — powers over from close range. Sid Harvey converts. (Reds 7–7 Waratahs)

Half-time: Reds 7–7 Waratahs. A tightly fought opening 40 minutes with the Waratahs enjoying 68% possession but unable to break down a resolute Reds defence. Queensland have made double the tackles (84 to 41) and will need to find more ball in the second half.

58 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs finally break the deadlock after a Reds scrum penalty sees them marched 10 metres for backchat. From the ensuing lineout, the rolling maul inches forward and hooker Ioane Moananu emerges with the ball. Harvey misses the conversion. (Reds 7–12 Waratahs)

63 mins – TRY REDS: The Reds strike back immediately. Jock Campbell steps inside and finds Isaac Henry inside the 22. The ball is shifted right and Carter Gordon receives a bounce pass near the line, crashing over to level the scores. Campbell misses the conversion. (Reds 12–12 Waratahs)

65 mins – TRY WARATAHS: Max Jorgensen finally gets into space and chips over the top, toeing the loose ball ahead for Harry Potter — just on as a replacement — to win the race and dive over. Harvey misses again. (Reds 12–17 Waratahs)

71 mins – TRY REDS: A stunning counter-attack from nothing. Filipo Daugunu breaks from deep and charges over halfway, offloading to Isaac Henry who races 40 metres untouched to score. Campbell converts. (Reds 19–17 Waratahs)

73 mins – TRY DISALLOWED WARATAHS: Triston Reilly produces a spectacular diving finish in the corner, but the TMO rules the ball was grounded on the in-goal line. No try.

75 mins – TRY REDS: Carter Gordon seals it with a moment of individual brilliance. He receives the ball near halfway, splits the defence straight through the middle, and backs his pace to beat Harry Potter on the outside and score in the corner. Campbell converts. (Reds 26–17 Waratahs)

Full-time: Reds 26–17 Waratahs

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

Waratahs: 15 James Hendren, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 Harry Potter.

Match details

Reds 26 (Tries: Wilson, Gordon 2, Henry; Conversions: Werchon 1/1, Campbell 2/3)
Waratahs 17 (Tries: Adamson, Moananu, Potter; Conversions: Harvey 1/3)
Half-time: 7–7

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)

The Crusaders survived three yellow cards and a first-half deficit to claim a stirring 29–18 victory over the Highlanders in an absorbing South Island derby at Apollo Projects Stadium, with debutant flanker Johnny Lee announcing himself with a match-winning double.

Key moments

4 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Will Jordan slices through the defence with a right-foot step 30 metres out, using his pace to beat multiple defenders before dragging three Highlanders over the line. Rivez Reihana misses the conversion from 15 metres in from the right touchline. (Crusaders 5–0 Highlanders)

14 mins – YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Codie Taylor is shown yellow for a cynical offside as the Highlanders threaten inside the 22, with the Crusaders’ defensive line under sustained pressure.

20 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders earn a free kick from the scrum and go quickly. Folau Fakatava delivers a pinpoint cutout pass to Caleb Tangitau, who bursts through the line and draws Will Jordan before finding Tanielu Tele’a on his inside. Cameron Millar misses the conversion. (Crusaders 5–5 Highlanders)

27 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Angus Ta’avao produces a rare 30-metre break straight up the middle, gassing into space before dishing off to Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. The fullback has too much pace for Reihana in cover and strolls over untouched. Millar converts. (Crusaders 5–12 Highlanders)

32 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Braydon Ennor is brought down two metres short before Fletcher Newell picks up on the short ball from Noah Hotham and barges over under the posts. Reihana converts. (Crusaders 12–12 Highlanders)

36 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Millar slots from 23 metres after Sevu Reece is penalised for hands in the ruck. (Crusaders 12–15 Highlanders)

37 mins – YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Finlay Brewis is shown yellow after a lengthy review for a dangerous cleanout on Tomas Lavanini, making shoulder contact with the back of the Argentine lock’s head.

Half-time: Crusaders 12–15 Highlanders. A fiery opening 40 minutes with the Crusaders’ discipline costing them dearly. Two yellow cards have swung momentum the visitors’ way, though both sides have shown plenty of attacking intent in this physical derby.

46 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Millar extends the lead from 40 metres after the Highlanders build sustained pressure from a lineout drive. (Crusaders 12–18 Highlanders)

50 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Johnny Lee scores on debut! Ethan Blackadder barges through the defensive line with a powerful carry and finds Lee on his inside shoulder. The debutant still has work to do but finishes strongly. Reihana converts. (Crusaders 19–18 Highlanders)

56 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Lee doubles up! Noah Hotham is held up over the line from the previous phase, but the Crusaders go to the corner and set up the driving maul. It twists towards the touchline and Lee emerges with the ball to crash over. Reihana converts. (Crusaders 26–18 Highlanders)

60 mins – YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Chay Fihaki is shown yellow for direct shoulder contact to the head of Cameron Millar after he had thrown a pass. Millar fails his head injury assessment and does not return. The contact is reviewed for a possible red card but stays yellow after officials rule there was a late dip at the point of contact.

68 mins – PENALTY CRUSADERS: Xavier Saifoloi crosses after a brilliant Will Jordan break, but the TMO intervenes for obstruction in the build-up. Reihana slots the resulting penalty from 30 metres. (Crusaders 29–18 Highlanders)

Full-time: Crusaders 29–18 Highlanders

Match report

It was fitting that the last South Island derby at Apollo Projects Stadium in Addington delivered a contest to remember. In front of around 15,000 fans, the Crusaders produced a stirring second-half turnaround to claim the 50th edition of this fierce rivalry, digging deep to flip a bruising encounter that looked to be slipping away from them at the break.

The defending champions entered round five with just one win from their opening four matches, desperately needing a response after a lacklustre defeat to the Blues in Auckland. They had already lost to these same Highlanders in Dunedin in round one, when Cameron Millar’s late penalty secured a memorable 25–23 victory for the visitors. Another defeat would have been a significant blow to their hopes of a top-three finish just five weeks into the season.

What they delivered was a performance built on resilience, character and the emergence of a star in the making — debutant openside flanker Johnny Lee, whose six-minute double after half-time turned the contest on its head.

The early signs were promising for the hosts. Will Jordan lit up the derby inside four minutes with a trademark solo effort, finding a gap with a right-foot step 30 metres out before pinning his ears back. The All Blacks fullback still had plenty of work to do, carrying several Highlanders defenders over the line in a moment of brilliance that sent the Christchurch crowd into raptures. Reihana’s conversion from 15 metres in from the right touchline drifted wide, but the statement had been made.

Perhaps we should have known a fiery encounter was brewing. Earlier in the week, a couple of Crusaders forwards had got stuck into each other at training, with captain David Havili forced to rush in and play peacemaker. The tension spilled onto the field when the hulking Antonio Shalfoon dived on Mitch Dunshea and pinned him to the turf after the Highlanders lock had clattered into halfback Noah Hotham following a clearance kick. The locals howled for blood, demanding referee Jordan Way produce a card, but no action was taken.

The Crusaders’ ill-discipline quickly threatened to derail their evening. With the Highlanders on attack inside the 22, hooker Codie Taylor was shown yellow for a cynical offside, depleting the defensive line at a crucial moment. The visitors made them pay when Caleb Tangitau — fast emerging as an All Blacks wing-in-waiting — burst through the line off a quick tap from Folau Fakatava’s sharp cutout pass. Tangitau drew Jordan before delivering a lovely inside ball to Tanielu Tele’a, who crossed to level the scores.

The Highlanders extended their advantage with a rare break from tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao, who gassed 30 metres into space with surprising pace for a front-rower. He timed his pass perfectly to find Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on his outside, and the fullback had too much speed for Reihana in the cover defence, strolling over to push the visitors into a 12–5 lead.

Fletcher Newell’s powerful response kept the Crusaders in touch. Braydon Ennor was brought down agonisingly close to the line, but Newell picked up on the short ball from Hotham and dropped his shoulder, burrowing over under the posts with defenders hanging off him. Reihana converted to level the scores at 12–12.

But more discipline woes followed. Sevu Reece was penalised for hands in the ruck, allowing Millar to slot from 23 metres. Then loosehead Finlay Brewis was shown yellow after a lengthy review for a dangerous cleanout on Highlanders debutant Tomas Lavanini, making shoulder contact with the back of the Argentine lock’s head. The Crusaders would head to the sheds trailing 15–12, having lost two front-rowers to the sin bin in the opening 40 minutes.

When Millar slotted another penalty six minutes into the second half, extending the lead to 18–12, the Crusaders were staring down the barrel. But what followed was a statement from their pack.

Enter Lee. The New Zealand Under-20s representative had spent considerable time off the field in the first half due to the yellow cards to the front-rowers, but he made up for lost time in spectacular fashion. First, he combined brilliantly with Ethan Blackadder, who barged through the defensive line with a powerful carry before finding Lee on his inside shoulder. The debutant still had work to do but finished strongly, crashing over to give the Crusaders the lead for the first time since the fourth minute.

Six minutes later, Lee doubled up. Hotham was held up over the line in the previous phase, but the Crusaders went to the corner and set up the driving maul. It twisted towards the touchline and Lee emerged with the ball, crashing over to complete a remarkable six-minute blitz that turned a six-point deficit into an eight-point lead.

Reihana converted both tries as the defending champions piled on 17 unanswered points in a dominant third quarter. The first five-eighth took control brilliantly, adding crucial points from the tee and steering the Crusaders around the park with growing authority, while Leicester Fainga’anuku provided impact off the bench with his powerful carrying.

The drama was not over. Wing Chay Fihaki — celebrating his 50th Crusaders appearance — was shown yellow for direct shoulder contact to the head of Millar after the first five-eighth had thrown a pass. Millar failed his head injury assessment and did not return, while officials reviewed whether Fihaki’s contact warranted a red card. It stayed yellow after a late dip was identified at the point of contact, but it was a let-off for the winger.

Xavier Saifoloi thought he had sealed the derby win when he crossed in the 67th minute after a brilliant Will Jordan break, but the TMO intervened for obstruction in the build-up. Reihana instead slotted the resulting penalty to push the Crusaders out to an 11-point buffer.

To their credit, the Highlanders kept throwing punches right to the end. Timoci Tavatavanawai carried with his usual force, Tangitau remained dangerous whenever space opened up, and they camped themselves deep in Crusaders territory in the closing minutes with Fihaki still in the sin bin. But the home side refused to crack, scrambling desperately and forcing the final error when the ball rolled past Jona Nareki and into touch as the Highlanders went searching for a losing bonus point.

The only downer for the Crusaders was injury to captain David Havili, who trudged off in the 23rd minute with what appeared to be a painful ankle problem. His fitness will be monitored ahead of next week’s trip to Albany to face Moana Pasifika, where the defending champions will look to build momentum with back-to-back wins.

The result sees the Crusaders climb ahead of the Highlanders into seventh on the ladder, while Jamie Joseph’s men return home to Dunedin to prepare for a huge New Zealand derby against the table-topping Hurricanes.

Teams

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Johnny Lee, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Finlay Brewis.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy (co-c), 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Rohan Wingham, 19 Oli Haig, 20 Nikora Broughton, 21 Veveni Lasaqa, 22 Adam Lennox, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa.

Match details

Crusaders 29 (Tries: Jordan, Newell, Lee 2; Conversions: Reihana 3/4; Penalties: Reihana 1/1)
Highlanders 18 (Tries: Tele’a, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens; Conversions: Millar 1/2; Penalties: Millar 2/2)
Half-time: 12–15

Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Jordan Way (New Zealand)

The Fijian Drua claimed their first-ever victory over the ACT Brumbies with a commanding 42–27 triumph at Govind Park in Ba, christening the new venue with a historic five-try performance in challenging conditions.

Key moments

6 mins – PENALTY DRUA: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula opens the scoring and becomes the first Drua player to reach 200 career points for the club. (Drua 3–0 Brumbies)

7 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Hudson Creighton wins the race to a clever grubber from Klayton Thorn after Kye Oates breaks the line. Tane Edmed misses the conversion. (Drua 3–5 Brumbies)

12 mins – TRY DRUA: Etonia Waqa finishes a stunning team try, palming off Tane Edmed after Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula’s cross-kick found Ponipate Loganimasi. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Drua 10–5 Brumbies)

19 mins – YELLOW CARD DRUA: Mesake Doge is sent to the sin bin for repeated team infringements after the Brumbies camp inside the 22.

26 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Toby Macpherson crashes over after sustained pressure, with Elia Canakaivata also shown yellow for repeated infringements. Edmed converts. (Drua 10–12 Brumbies)

28 mins – PENALTY DRUA: Armstrong-Ravula restores the lead from 44 metres to edge the Drua back in front. (Drua 13–12 Brumbies)

37 mins – TRY DRUA: Elia Canakaivata crashes over from close range immediately after returning from the sin bin. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Drua 20–12 Brumbies)

Half-time: Drua 20–12 Brumbies. The Drua cope better with the heat and their own ill-discipline, holding firm despite spending lengthy periods with 14 men. Motikiai Murray impresses across the park while the Brumbies struggle for accuracy inside the 22.

45 mins – TRY DRUA: Sairusi Ravudi peels off the driving maul to score on debut as the rain begins to fall. Armstrong-Ravula misses. (Drua 25–12 Brumbies)

52 mins – TRY DRUA: Iliasia Droasese shows stunning athleticism to dive over in the corner after Joji Nasova’s offload from Armstrong-Ravula’s cross-kick. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Drua 32–12 Brumbies)

55 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Toby Macpherson benefits from a fortunate bounce as the ball spills from a held-up maul, the lock reacting quickest to claim his second. Ryan Lonergan misses. (Drua 32–17 Brumbies)

59 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Ryan Lonergan and Hudson Creighton combine brilliantly down the short side, exchanging passes before Lonergan rides a tackle to score. Lonergan misses. (Drua 32–22 Brumbies)

68 mins – PENALTY DRUA: Armstrong-Ravula slots from 30 metres to steady the ship and push the lead beyond two converted tries. (Drua 35–22 Brumbies)

71 mins – TRY DRUA: Iliasia Droasese completes his double after Tuidraki Samusamuvodre’s chip and chase, regathering to offload for the fullback to score beside the posts. Armstrong-Ravula converts. (Drua 42–22 Brumbies)

80 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Andy Muirhead crosses for a consolation in the corner after Ryan Lonergan’s cut-out pass. Lonergan hits the post with the conversion. (Drua 42–27 Brumbies)

Full-time: Fijian Drua 42–27 Brumbies

Match report

It was party time in Ba as the Fijian Drua created history with their first victory over the Brumbies in seven meetings since 2022. Backed by more than 13,000 fans — including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka — the hosts christened Govind Park with a performance that showcased everything that makes them so dangerous at home.

The Drua’s second win against a top-two opponent this season, following their defeat of the ladder-leading Hurricanes in February, underlined their status as genuine contenders when playing in Fiji. For the Brumbies, it was a second consecutive defeat after their heartbreaking last-gasp loss to the Queensland Reds, leaving coach Stephen Larkham’s men searching for answers.

Larkham had made 10 changes to his squad due to player management protocols and injuries, and his heavily-rotated team not only had to battle a lively Drua fresh from a bye, but also the sultry conditions that engulfed the stadium. The temperature sat at 31 degrees at kick-off before a light drizzle at the break gave way to torrential rain in the second half.

Despite the Drua’s early dominance, it was Hudson Creighton who crossed first. Kye Oates slipped through the defence before finding Klayton Thorn, who grubbered perfectly for the diving winger to claim the opening try. But the Drua responded immediately when flanker Etonia Waqa stormed down the right side, palming off Tane Edmed after Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula’s cross-kick had found Ponipate Loganimasi. It was the Drua at their electric best.

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The hosts’ ill-discipline threatened to derail their momentum. Prop Mesake Doge was shown yellow for repeated team infringements as the Brumbies camped inside the 22, and Toby Macpherson eventually crashed over in the 26th minute to give the visitors the lead. Moments later, No 8 Elia Canakaivata joined his teammate in the sin bin for the same offence, leaving the Drua down to 13 men.

Remarkably, the home side weathered the storm. Armstrong-Ravula — who became the first Drua player to reach 200 career points — slotted a 44-metre penalty to restore the lead, and Canakaivata made amends immediately upon his return by crashing over from close range. The Drua headed to the sheds with a 20–12 advantage despite spending lengthy periods undermanned.

The second half belonged to the hosts. As the rain thundered down, debutant hooker Sairusi Ravudi peeled off the driving maul to extend the lead within minutes of the restart. Then came the moment of the match — Armstrong-Ravula’s pinpoint cross-kick found Joji Nasova, who offloaded brilliantly for a flying Iliasia Droasese to dive over in the corner. The 20-point deficit had the Brumbies reeling.

To their credit, the visitors refused to surrender. Macpherson claimed his second after a fortunate bounce from a held-up maul, and Ryan Lonergan combined brilliantly with Creighton down the short side to cut the margin to 10 points. Suddenly the comeback was on.

But Armstrong-Ravula steadied the ship with a crucial penalty before Droasese completed his double. Centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre produced a delightful chip and chase, regathering to offload for his fullback to score beside the posts. Andy Muirhead’s consolation in the dying seconds was too little, too late.

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For the Brumbies, there were silver linings. The 21-year-old Macpherson impressed with a double in his first start, while captain Muirhead ran for 127 metres. Wallabies star Rob Valetini made 17 tackles and carried for 44 metres in a typically busy display, but had to cop a loss in his 100th Super Rugby match.

The Drua’s loose forwards were immense throughout, with Motikiai Murray popping up all over the park and Kitione Salawa producing crucial second-half turnovers. Armstrong-Ravula’s 17-point haul from the boot — three penalties and four conversions — proved the difference in a game where both sides scored five tries apiece.

The result leaves the Drua with back-to-back wins as they prepare to host the Reds next week, while the Brumbies return home to face the Chiefs looking to arrest their slide.

Teams

Fijian Drua: 15 Iliasia Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (c), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Iosefo Namoce.

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead (c), 14 Hudson Creighton, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Kye Oates, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Klayton Thorn, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 5 Toby Macpherson, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Darcy Breen, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Lington Ieli.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Lachie Shaw, 20 Rory Scott, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Austin Anderson.

Match details

Fijian Drua 42 (Tries: Waqa, Canakaivata, Ravudi, Droasese 2; Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula 4/5; Penalties: Armstrong-Ravula 3/3)
Brumbies 27 (Tries: Creighton, Macpherson 2, Lonergan, Muirhead; Conversions: Edmed 1/2, Lonergan 0/3)
Half-time: 20–12

Venue: Govind Park, Ba
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)