Published on Friday 24 April 2026

Super Round has arrived. For the first time in the competition’s history, all ten active franchises have decamped to a single city for one of the most ambitious weekends Super Rugby Pacific has ever attempted — and the stakes could not be higher. Christchurch’s brand-new One NZ Stadium, a 30,000-seat covered arena a decade in the making, is officially christened on ANZAC weekend with five matches across three days, the defending champions already staring down the barrel of a sixth defeat, and the Fijian Drua still glowing after a historic first win over the Brumbies in Canberra.

The table tells its own story heading in. The Chiefs and Hurricanes are locked together on 31 points at the summit, the Blues one back, and only six points separate fourth from eighth. The Crusaders are sixth with a losing record and have lost all three of their matches against Australian opposition. The Waratahs have won three of their last five against them. And the Force — the only team not playing this weekend — are within two points of the Crusaders despite having claimed one of the upsets of the season in Perth last Saturday.

Friday belongs to the hosts, who open the new stadium against the Waratahs with a front-page selection — Leicester Fainga’anuku at openside flanker, his first start in the No. 7 jersey in Super Rugby. ANZAC Day brings two trans-Tasman blockbusters, with the Hurricanes facing the Brumbies in a meeting of the competition’s form scrumhalves before the Blues take on a rested Reds outfit. Sunday celebrates the Pacific, with the Highlanders’ playoff ambitions on the line against a Moana Pasifika side fighting for their competitive existence, before ladder leaders the Chiefs close the weekend against a Drua team riding the highest of highs.

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Friday 24 April

Crusaders v NSW Waratahs

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 19:35 NZST / 17:35 AEST

No team has more on the line this weekend than the Crusaders. A 4-5 record, three defeats to Australian opposition, and last Saturday’s stunning capitulation to the Force in Perth has left Rob Penney’s side in a place the franchise has not occupied in a generation. They now open their new home against a Waratahs outfit that has beaten them in three of their last five meetings — and they do it with the boldest selection call of the season.

Leicester Fainga’anuku will start at openside flanker. Penney has spoken about Fainga’anuku’s desire to explore the role, developed during his stint at Toulon, and framed the new stadium and the pressure of the occasion as the right setting to let him run with it. David Havili returns from injury to resume the captaincy at inside centre, pushing Fainga’anuku out of the midfield, and All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor is back alongside prop Fletcher Newell in a bolstered front row. Noah Hotham returns at halfback, Taha Kemara at flyhalf, and Sevu Reece and Johnny McNicholl return to the back three.

The Waratahs arrive with their own reshuffle. Isaac Kailea, Folau Fainga’a and Siosifa Amone form a brand-new starting front row. Max Jorgensen shifts to fullback, pushing Sid Harvey to the wing, and former Crusaders prop Ioane Moananu comes off the bench against his old side. Dan McKellar has been clear about the magnitude of the task, describing it as the closest thing to a Test match Super Rugby can offer with 30,000 Cantabrians expected in full voice.

Charlie Gamble, who came through Canterbury’s system, will relish the chance to target Fainga’anuku at the breakdown. If the gamble works, the Crusaders add a new dimension in wide channels. If it misfires, the Waratahs can spoil the party. The Crusaders have won 15 of their last 16 home meetings against NSW — the only loss coming in 2004 — and they have never lost to every Australian team in a season.

Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 6 Dom Gardiner, 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 Jamie Hannah, 20 Johnny Lee, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (c), 3 Siosifa Amone, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Isaac Kailea. Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Dan Botha, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Clem Halaholo, 21 Jamie Adamson, 22 Teddy Wilson, 23 Sid Harvey.

Referee: Nic Berry. Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Damon Murphy. TMO: Brett Cronan.

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Saturday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Hurricanes v ACT Brumbies

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 17:05 NZST / 15:05 AEST

The first of two ANZAC Day crackers is also the most personal for one man. Du’Plessis Kirifi leads the Hurricanes out for his 100th Super Rugby appearance, a milestone the openside will mark while trying to arrest a side stinging from a Super Point defeat to the Chiefs. The Brumbies, for their part, were rolled by the Fijian Drua in Canberra last weekend, meaning both teams arrive with their identities freshly tested.

Coach Clark Laidlaw has reshaped the Hurricanes’ tight five, with Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu and Tevita Mafileo forming a new-look starting front row and Caleb Delany partnering Warner Dearns in the second row. Brayden Iose gets the nod at blindside, with Jordie Barrett returning to co-captain from outside centre. The bench is heavily stacked with finishers — Brad Shields, Peter Lakai and Pasilio Tosi among them — a clear signal the Hurricanes are preparing for this to go long.

Stephen Larkham’s Brumbies recall winger Andy Muirhead to the starting XV, shifting Ollie Sapsford to the bench, and restore Rory Scott to openside ahead of Luke Reimer. James Slipper, Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa front up in the scrum, and Rob Valetini continues at blindside. Ryan Lonergan keeps the captaincy at halfback alongside Declan Meredith, who has been the steadying hand at 10 all season.

This is the scrumhalf duel that matters — Cam Roigard against Lonergan, two of the form No. 9s in the competition. Roigard’s breakdown activity and snipe are central to the Hurricanes’ attacking shape; Lonergan’s tempo and service are the engine of a Brumbies pack that thrives when the ball is quick. The Brumbies have won six of their last eight meetings between these sides, but the Hurricanes have taken their last four at home, averaging 40 points across those wins. A Brumbies victory would make it just the second time in their history they have swept the New Zealand franchises in a season.

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-c), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Siale Lauaki. Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jove Rova, 23 Josh Gray.

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper. Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Toby MacPherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Referee: Paul Williams. Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Angus Mabey. TMO: Brett Cronan.

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Blues v Queensland Reds

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 19:35 NZST / 17:35 AEST

Vern Cotter was not a happy man last weekend. The Blues conceded 40 points to the Highlanders and almost blew a match they controlled for long stretches, and while they ultimately escaped with the win, the defensive lapses were exactly the kind their coach has drilled out of them all season. Now they face a well-rested Reds side who had the Round 10 bye and know a victory is close to essential if they still fancy a home quarterfinal.

Ben Ake makes his first start at loosehead prop after a debut off the bench against the Highlanders, and Kade Banks comes into the starting side on the wing opposite Cole Forbes. Pita Ahki returns to the midfield and Stephen Perofeta, recovered from a calf injury, is a notable presence on the bench alongside Taufa Funaki. Dalton Papali’i was the difference last week after returning from a back complaint, and his combination with Anton Segner and Hoskins Sotutu in the back row remains the spine of this Blues side.

The Reds are without both Carter Gordon (knee) and Tom Lynagh (calf) in the short term, which hands the No. 10 jersey to Harry McLaughlin-Phillips with Ben Volavola covering on the bench. Zane Nonggorr returns to the front row and Joe Brial comes into the starting blindside. The milestone man is Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, the former Hurricanes title-winner, who will play his 150th Super Rugby match off the bench. Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard are both back in the 23 after clearing concussion protocols.

This is one of the most evenly poised fixtures of the weekend. The Reds are chasing back-to-back wins over the Blues for the first time since 2013, and Les Kiss has steered his side to famous New Zealand victories over the Crusaders, Chiefs and Highlanders in recent seasons — the neutral venue will hold no fears. But the Blues have won their last three against Queensland in New Zealand by an average of 27 points, and if Papali’i and Fraser McReight fight their breakdown duel to a stalemate, that raw power game should tip it. Opposing views: rugby.com.au fancy the Reds by three; ESPN and Rugby365 the Blues.

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Cole Forbes, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ben Ake. Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 Xavi Taele.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross. Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

Referee: James Doleman. Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Damon Murphy. TMO: Richard Kelly.

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Sunday 26 April

Highlanders v Moana Pasifika

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 14:00 NZST / 12:00 AEST

Two teams in very different kinds of crisis. The Highlanders are three wins from nine and slipping steadily out of the playoff picture — ninth on the table, tied with the Drua on points, and winners of only one of their last nine away from Forsyth Barr. Moana Pasifika are in a bleaker place still: one win all season, bottom of the table on four points, and playing against the backdrop of news that their current ownership group will not continue beyond this year. Their existence as a competition entity may well be at stake.

Clark Laidlaw and Jamie Joseph, respectively, have both shuffled their packs. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens returns from injury at fullback, allowing Jonah Lowe to shift to the right wing. Soane Vikena and Saula Ma’u come into the front row, and Tomás Lavanini returns to partner Mitch Dunshea in the second row. Xavier Tito-Harris earns his first Super Rugby start at inside centre, with co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai holding the spine of the side together. The Highlanders’ scrum has been one of the best weapons in the competition all year, and that is a meaningful edge.

For Moana Pasifika, Jonathan Tamateine replaces the concussed Melani Matavao at scrumhalf, and young gun Israel Leota returns on the bench for the first time since Round 2 after an ankle injury. Miracle Faiilagi captains the side from blindside, with Glen Vaihu and Tevita Latu forming a mobile midfield. The challenge is a familiar one: Moana have been kept scoreless in the first half of each of their last two matches against New Zealand opposition.

Ethan de Groot versus Abraham Pole at scrum time will shape this. If Moana can hold parity there and keep the Highlanders honest early, they have an upset in them — ESPN’s Paul Cully described them as “brave in defeat” against the Waratahs last week and that feeling lingers. But the Highlanders cannot afford to lose this match if they want to play finals rugby, and their pack is the stronger. Highlanders have won six of the seven previous meetings.

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 11 Xavier Tito-Harris, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Adam Lennox, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Mitch Dunshea, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-c). Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Te Kamaka Howden, 20 Hugh Renton, 21 Lucas Casey, 22 Folau Fakatava, 23 Taine Robinson.

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Tevita Latu, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Tamateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 5 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Allan Craig, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Abraham Pole. Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Augustine Palu, 22 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 23 Israel Leota.

Referee: Todd Petrie. Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle. TMO: Richard Kelly.

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Chiefs v Fijian Drua

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 16:30 NZST / 14:30 AEST

The round closes with the ladder leaders taking on the feel-good story of the season so far. The Chiefs are on four straight, sit top on points differential, and are chasing five consecutive wins for the first time since 2023. The Fijian Drua arrive still buzzing from their first-ever win over the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend — a historic result that Mick Byrne has described as the best performance of the season bar their Round 3 win over the Hurricanes. Can they back it up?

Clayton McMillan’s changes are forced but notable. Wallace Sititi, whose match-winning try sank the Hurricanes last weekend, shifts to number eight. Tupou Vaa’i returns from a week out with concussion to captain the side in the engine room alongside Josh Lord. Damian McKenzie continues to pull the strings from flyhalf, with Cortez Ratima inside him and Quinn Tupaea — short odds for Player of the Year — outside. The biggest news is at fullback, where Isaac Hutchinson makes his first appearance of the year after a long lay-off with a knee injury.

Byrne names a side with new faces in key positions. Co-captain Frank Lomani returns from injury at scrumhalf, restoring the partnership with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at 10. Maika Tuitubou earns his Super Rugby debut at outside centre, in what might be the toughest first-up assignment imaginable — lining up directly against Tupaea. Taniela Rakuro is on the right wing, with Ilaisa Droasese at fullback. The pack that dominated the breakdown in Canberra is largely intact, Temo Mayanavanua again co-captain in the second row.

The Drua’s maiden win over the Chiefs came earlier this season after three straight defeats, but the history in New Zealand is emphatic — the Chiefs have scored 40+ in each of the teams’ last two meetings on this side of the Tasman. The key match-up is Tupaea v Tuitubou, with the debutant facing the form player in the competition on his first outing. If Fiji can turn this into a broken, offloading game the way they did against the Brumbies, anything is possible. If the Chiefs lock it down early, their set-piece and McKenzie’s kicking game should turn this into a statement.

Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Daniel Sinkinson, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i (c), 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Jared Proffit. Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Benét Kumeroa, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Michael Loft, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Lalakai Foketi.

Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Maika Tuitubou, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (co-c), 8 Isoa Tuwai, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Isoa Nasilasila, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Inia Tabuavou.

Referee: Jordan Way. Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Ben O’Keeffe. TMO: Brett Cronan.

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BYE: Western Force

The Force have the weekend off to savour what was arguably the result of the season — a shock upset of the Crusaders in Perth last Saturday that lifted them to within two points of Rob Penney’s side. They return in Round 12 to host the Blues at HBF Park.

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Milestones

• Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) — 100th Super Rugby match
• Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Reds) — 150th Super Rugby match

Notable first starts and returns

• Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders) — first Super Rugby start at openside flanker
• Ben Ake (Blues) — first starting appearance at loosehead prop
• Xavier Tito-Harris (Highlanders) — first Super Rugby start
• Maika Tuitubou (Fijian Drua) — Super Rugby debut at outside centre
• Isaac Hutchinson (Chiefs) — first appearance of 2026 after knee injury
• David Havili (Crusaders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Tomás Lavanini (Highlanders), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues bench), Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua) — all return from injury

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Where to watch

Australia: Stan Sport (all matches, ad-free, live and on demand); Nine Network (Saturday 7:35pm AEST match, live)
New Zealand: Sky Sport
Fiji: Sky Pacific (pay TV); Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (free-to-air)
United Kingdom & Ireland: Sky UK
United States & Canada: ESPN; FloSports (USA territories); TSN (Canada)
Pacific Islands: Digicel
Japan: Wowow
South Africa & Africa: SuperSport
France: Canal+
Rest of World: NZR+ (streaming)