The Highlanders kept their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive with a dramatic 31–26 victory over the NSW Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium, surviving a frantic late comeback after Caleb Tangitau’s electric return and Timoci Tavatavanawai’s match-winning turnover sealed a result that lifted the home side to seventh on the ladder.

Key moments

7 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Mitch Dunshea claims the lineout and Lucas Casey carries in midfield. Timoci Tavatavanawai throws a nice offload for Cameron Millar inside the 22, before Tavatavanawai links again to find Caleb Tangitau, who breaks the line and dishes it to Jonah Lowe to score. Millar converts from in front. (Highlanders 7–0 Waratahs)

11 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: A huge scrum penalty gives the Highlanders position. Adam Lennox taps quickly and charges into the 22 before Tangitau picks from the back, barges through multiple Waratahs defenders and dives over for a brilliant individual try. Millar converts. (Highlanders 14–0 Waratahs)

19 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Tavatavanawai carries powerfully from the lineout before Nikora Broughton charges forward. Millar fires the wide ball to Lowe, who flicks it inside for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to stroll in untouched. Millar converts from the left sideline. (Highlanders 21–0 Waratahs)

22 mins – YELLOW CARD HIGHLANDERS: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii makes a half-break before Tavatavanawai is penalised for being off his feet at the ruck. Referee Damon Murphy deems it cynical and sends Tavatavanawai to the sin bin. Jack Debreczeni finds touch five metres out. (Highlanders down to 14)

23 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs take immediate advantage of the extra man. Miles Amatosero claims the lineout, Angus Scott-Young carries in midfield, and Max Jorgensen fires it wide for Andrew Kellaway on the edge, who steps inside to score. Sid Harvey converts. (Highlanders 21–7 Waratahs)

30 mins – 50-22: Caleb Tangitau intercepts a Waratahs attack and delivers a superb 50-22 kick that trickles out on the five-metre line. Highlanders lineout 10 metres out.

35 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: After sustained pressure near the line, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens throws the ball over the top for Lowe to pounce and score his second in the corner. TMO checks for a knock-on but the try stands. Millar converts from the left sideline. (Highlanders 28–7 Waratahs)

Half-time: Highlanders 28–7 Waratahs. A ruthless first-half statement from the Highlanders, built on forward dominance, the brilliance of Tangitau, and Tavatavanawai’s all-action involvement. The Waratahs responded through Kellaway during the yellow card period but were largely outclassed.

45 mins – TRY WARATAHS: Pete Samu claims the lineout and Suaalii breaks the line before being hauled down. Carter Gordon finds Apolosi Ranawai with the flat ball, and the replacement prop barges over for his debut Super Rugby Pacific try. Harvey’s conversion misses from wide. (Highlanders 28–12 Waratahs)

48 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens appears to score his second after collecting a loose ball, but the TMO rules a clear knock-on from Jona Nareki in the build-up.

59 mins – RED CARD HIGHLANDERS: Tempers flare after Sid Harvey is tackled late. The TMO reviews a tackle by Jona Nareki, who made contact with his shoulder to the head of Jack Barrett. Initially shown yellow, it is upgraded to a 20-minute red card due to no mitigating factors. (Highlanders down to 14)

61 mins – HARVEY ERROR: Sid Harvey and Max Jorgensen combine brilliantly down the left, but Harvey drops the ball cold with the tryline at his mercy after gathering Jorgensen’s return pass.

65 mins – DEFENSIVE STAND: The Waratahs camp inside the Highlanders’ 22 but Tavatavanawai gets over the ball five metres out to win a crucial turnover penalty.

69 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Suaalii breaks the line and feeds Harvey, who dots down in the corner, but Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens makes a superb last-ditch tackle to force Harvey into touch before grounding. The Waratahs tap from the penalty advantage.

70 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Suaalii steps inside and scores, but the TMO finds a knock-on in the ruck in the build-up. The try is ruled out.

71 mins – TRY WARATAHS: Third time lucky. Clem Halaholo powers over from close range after sustained pressure. Harvey converts from in front. (Highlanders 28–19 Waratahs)

77 mins – MISSED PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Cameron Millar’s penalty from 30 metres strikes the left upright. The Highlanders fail to extend their lead.

79 mins – TRY WARATAHS: A set-play lineout move puts Harvey through a hole off an Ethan Dobbins pass. He bursts through the defence untouched and swerves to score under the posts. Harvey converts. (Highlanders 28–26 Waratahs)

79 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: From the restart, Lawson Creighton claims on his 22. Angus Scott-Young carries on the short side but Tavatavanawai gets over the ball and wins the match-sealing turnover penalty. Millar slots from 25 metres to seal the victory. (Highlanders 31–26 Waratahs)

Full-time: Highlanders 31–26 Waratahs

Match report

The Highlanders’ season is not dead yet, but it very nearly died a dramatic death under the Forsyth Barr Stadium roof. Jamie Joseph’s side produced their best 40 minutes of the campaign in the opening spell before almost unravelling completely in a second half that saw them play 30 minutes of the match a man down and withstand a Waratahs comeback that brought the visitors to within two points with 90 seconds remaining.

In the end, it took a trademark Tavatavanawai turnover at the breakdown — the co-captain’s third crucial jackal of the evening — to allow Millar to seal the result from 25 metres and send a crowd of 14,346 home relieved rather than distraught. The victory lifted the Highlanders from ninth to seventh on 24 points, one behind sixth-placed Brumbies, but they face an enormous task ahead with the Chiefs and Hurricanes on the road in their final two regular-season fixtures.

The writing was on the wall for the Waratahs from the sixth minute. Tangitau, returning from two matches out with concussion, used his speed and footwork to evade Suaalii, who had rushed out of the defensive line and missed his man, before finding wing partner Lowe with a neat inside pass to open the scoring. It was a warning the visitors failed to heed.

Five minutes later, Tangitau did it all himself. Collecting the ball from the back of a ruck after Lennox’s quick tap from a scrum penalty, the All Blacks hopeful beat four Waratahs defenders — Angus Scott-Young, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon and Angus Blyth — to power over in one of the individual tries of the season. The Forsyth Barr crowd were on their feet, and the Waratahs were on their knees.

The punishment continued. Millar, arguably the best goal-kicking flyhalf in the competition, showed his playmaking ability with a gorgeous long ball to Lowe out wide, and the winger produced an equally deft offload to send Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens strolling in untouched. At 21–0 inside 20 minutes, the contest appeared over.

It was not. A controversial yellow card to Tavatavanawai for a cynical ruck infringement — his attempt to get over the ball in the wider channels deemed worthy of a card by referee Murphy — gave the Waratahs a lifeline. They capitalised immediately, with Suaalii and Jorgensen combining to put Kellaway over in the corner. Harvey’s conversion from the sideline made it 21–7 and the visitors had a pulse.

But Tangitau was not finished. His superb 50-22 kick, after intercepting a Waratahs attack just inside his own half, handed the Highlanders another attacking lineout deep in enemy territory. The home side’s scrum then bulldozed through the Australians once more, and the resulting pressure produced Lowe’s second in the corner after Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens spotted the space out wide and threw an offload for his winger to race onto. Millar’s touchline conversion sent the Highlanders to the sheds with a commanding 28–7 advantage.

The second half became a completely different contest. The Waratahs, presumably following a half-time spray from McKellar, came out with renewed intensity. Suaalii broke the line early and Ranawai barged over for a debut try off Gordon’s flat pass to make it 28–12. Small errors then began creeping into the Highlanders’ game. They were no longer clinical in attack, and the match exploded when Nareki was yellow-carded in the 59th minute for a shoulder to the head of replacement Barrett. The card was later upgraded to a 20-minute red after an off-field review found no mitigating factors, leaving the Highlanders with 14 men for the remainder.

From there, wave after wave of Waratahs pressure crashed down on the Highlanders’ line. Harvey dropped the ball cold with the tryline beckoning after a brilliant combination with Jorgensen. Suaalii then had a try ruled out by the TMO for a knock-on in the ruck, and Harvey was earlier forced into touch by a superb last-ditch tackle from Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Three near-misses in the space of five minutes — and the Highlanders’ defensive line somehow held.

It finally broke in the 71st minute when Halaholo powered over from close range. Harvey converted to make it 28–19, and the momentum was entirely with the Waratahs. Millar’s penalty attempt from 30 metres then struck the left upright, denying the Highlanders breathing space and setting up a grandstand finish.

Harvey provided it. A clinical set-play lineout move put the fullback through a hole off a Dobbins pass, and he burst through untouched to score under the posts. His conversion made it 28–26 with barely a minute remaining, and the stadium held its breath.

From the restart, Creighton claimed on his own 22 and Scott-Young carried on the short side. But there was Tavatavanawai — the man whose first-half yellow card had given the Waratahs life — standing over the ball at the breakdown, winning the penalty that allowed Millar to slot from 25 metres and send Forsyth Barr into celebration. It was a fitting end to a match of extraordinary swings, and a moment that may yet prove season-defining for both sides.

For the Waratahs, the defeat extends their wretched run across the Tasman to 13 consecutive losses in New Zealand. Dan McKellar’s side will almost certainly need to win their final three matches — away to the Drua, home to the Brumbies, and away to the Force — to have any chance of squeezing into the top six. On this evidence, that looks a tall order. A bewildered McKellar looked a beaten man in the coaching box as his side’s self-inflicted penalty count mounted throughout the evening.

The Highlanders, by contrast, head to Hamilton with renewed belief. Their scrum was dominant, their defence made more than 200 tackles, and in Tangitau they have a player whose All Blacks selection seems a matter of when, not if.

Match details

Highlanders 31 (Tries: Jonah Lowe 2, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens; Conversions: Cameron Millar 4/4; Penalties: Millar 1/2)
Waratahs 26 (Tries: Andrew Kellaway, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Sid Harvey; Conversions: Sid Harvey 3/4)
Half-time: 28–7

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Attendance: 14,346
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, George Myers
TMO: James Leckie

Teams

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Adam Lennox, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Lucas Casey, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-c).
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Taine Robinson, 23 Xavier Tito-Harris.

Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Miles Amatosero, 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Clem Halaholo, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Harry Potter.

What’s next

The Highlanders travel to Hamilton to face the Chiefs next Saturday. The Waratahs head to Fiji to face the Fijian Drua.

Leicester Fainga’anuku produced one of the performances of the Super Rugby Pacific season as the Crusaders overpowered the Blues 36–20 at a sold-out One NZ Stadium, keeping their perfect record at their new home intact and re-igniting their title defence with a bonus-point victory.

Key moments

1 min – POOR START: Rivez Reihana’s opening kick-off fails to travel 10 metres. Blues scrum on halfway.

8 mins – PENALTY BLUES: Stephen Perofeta slots from in front after the Crusaders are penalised for offside. (Crusaders 0–3 Blues)

13 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Jamie Hannah takes the lineout at the front and Leicester Fainga’anuku peels around to pop the ball inside for George Bower, who powers through Perofeta’s tackle to score in the corner on his 100th appearance. First Super Rugby try for the veteran prop. Reihana’s conversion strikes the left post. (Crusaders 5–3 Blues)

23 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: From a long restart, Christian Lio-Willie winds up from halfway before Fainga’anuku produces a delicate chip kick over the top. Sam Nock cannot gather cleanly and Jamie Hannah swoops on the favourable bounce to charge through and score. Reihana converts from the left. (Crusaders 12–3 Blues)

30 mins – WARNING: Referee Angus Gardner issues a team warning to the Blues for repeated penalty offences inside their own 22.

32 mins – TRY BLUES: Completely against the run of play. Antonio Shalfoon drops the ball cold from a lineout, Bradley Slater scoops up possession and the Blues shift right. Stephen Perofeta feeds AJ Lam, who bursts from inside his own 22 and goes the length of the field untouched for a stunning individual try. Perofeta cannot convert from wide. (Crusaders 12–8 Blues)

39 mins – TRY BLUES: After a sustained spell of patient phase play inside the Crusaders’ 22, Pita Ahki bumps through Noah Hotham and gets close to the line. Sam Nock spots the gap and darts over from the base of the ruck on the short side. Perofeta is timed out on his conversion attempt — the kick is ruled out. (Crusaders 12–13 Blues)

Half-time: Crusaders 12–13 Blues. The Crusaders dominated the opening 30 minutes with Fainga’anuku at the heart of everything, but two late Blues tries — Lam’s length-of-the-field stunner and Nock’s opportunistic snipe — turned the scoreboard on its head. The Blues head to the sheds with a narrow lead they barely deserved.

45 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Codie Taylor breaks away from a lineout drive and gets within inches of the line. Next phase, Rivez Reihana shows outside, steps past Caleb Clarke and dives in under the posts. Reihana converts. (Crusaders 19–13 Blues)

51 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: George Bell breaks downfield on the right before Macca Springer charges to within five metres. Springer pops off the ground to Tahlor Cahill, and Kyle Preston finishes it off, diving into the corner on the short side. Reihana cannot convert from wide on the left. (Crusaders 24–13 Blues)

60 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Fainga’anuku magic again. An offload from Reihana gets Johnny McNicholl into the 22, with Fainga’anuku arriving at the breakdown to play halfback. He spots space on the right wing and stabs a perfectly weighted grubber kick for Sevu Reece, who wins the race to gather and score. Reihana converts from wide. (Crusaders 31–13 Blues)

67 mins – RED CARD CRUSADERS: Kurtis MacDonald contests a high ball recklessly and tips Stephen Perofeta dangerously, with the Blues flyhalf landing on his head and shoulder. Initially shown a yellow card, it is upgraded to red after an off-field review.

69 mins – YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Caleb Clarke scorches down the left flank and skins McNicholl before being hauled down by the cover. Jack Sexton then infringes cynically at the ruck and is sent to the sin bin. Crusaders down to 13 men.

69 mins – TRY BLUES: The Blues tap quickly and hammer at the line. Hoskins Sotutu muscles his way over from close range. Beauden Barrett converts from the left. (Crusaders 31–20 Blues)

71 mins – PENALTY CRUSADERS: With a two-man advantage, the Blues are penalised for obstruction at the ruck as Laghlan McWhannell illegally impedes Fainga’anuku. The Crusaders kick to the corner.

77 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: After a long, patient spell of close-range attack, George Bell burrows over from the base of a ruck. Cooper Grant cannot convert from wide on the right. (Crusaders 36–20 Blues)

Full-time: Crusaders 36–20 Blues

Match report

Different battleground, same result. The iconic Crusaders horses made their grand return to usher in a new era at One NZ Stadium, and what followed was achingly familiar for the Blues — their 20th defeat from 21 visits to Christchurch to face these opponents. If the Blues had hoped the end of the old Addington fortress might bring brighter days in the Garden City, they were sorely mistaken.

The 25,000-strong crowd inside Te Kaha were treated to a display that underlined why the Crusaders remain the most dangerous team in the competition when the pressure is on. At the centre of it all was Fainga’anuku, the converted back turned openside flanker, who produced a performance reminiscent of Ardie Savea’s herculean effort for Moana Pasifika against the same opposition in 2025. In his third start wearing the No.7 jersey, the blockbusting hybrid had a hand in three of the Crusaders’ six tries, snared two breakdown turnovers, made a rampaging 30-metre burst through the tackle of Hoskins Sotutu, and showed off skills with the boot that belied his position on the teamsheet.

Both sides endured a shambolic opening. Reihana’s kick-off failed to travel 10 metres, handing the Blues a scrum on halfway, only for fullback Zarn Sullivan to immediately return the favour by kicking out on the full. The error-riddled start set the tone for a contest that ebbed and flowed, but the Crusaders gradually seized control through the relentless work of their pack. The Blues conceded a string of penalties inside their own 22, with Fainga’anuku winning two crucial turnovers at the breakdown, and were fortunate to trail by only three points after Perofeta opened the scoring with a penalty in the eighth minute.

The Crusaders eventually made their dominance count through a set piece designed specifically for the centurion. Hannah took the lineout at the front, with Fainga’anuku peeling around the short side before popping the ball inside for the charging Bower. The veteran loosehead powered through Perofeta’s tackle to dot down in the corner — his first try in 100 Super Rugby appearances. Bower’s face said it all as he grinned ear to ear and raised a finger to the crowd.

Fainga’anuku then dipped into his bag of tricks for the Crusaders’ second. Taking the ball at first receiver, the hybrid uncorked a left-footed chip kick over the top of the Blues’ defensive line. Nock could not gather cleanly inside his own 22, and Hannah — scoring his first try as well — swooped on the favourable bounce to stride away and extend the lead to 12–3. With the Blues under a team warning for penalty concessions, the Crusaders looked set to bury the contest before half-time.

Instead, two moments of self-inflicted damage turned the half on its head. Lock Shalfoon spilled a regulation pass inside Blues territory, and the visitors punished the error ruthlessly. Slater scooped up the loose ball, Perofeta fed Lam on the right edge, and the centre produced a mesmerising run from inside his own 22, evading converging defenders before racing close to 70 metres untouched for one of the tries of the season. Then, after a pinpoint Perofeta kick in behind forced a five-metre scrum, Nock spotted the Crusaders defence napping and sniped over from the base to hand the Blues an unlikely 13–12 lead at the break. Perofeta’s conversion attempt was timed out — a moment that would prove costly.

The Crusaders coach Rob Penney had spoken during the week about his side building towards the business end of the season, and his players responded emphatically after the interval. Within five minutes of the restart, Reihana restored the lead with a moment of individual brilliance. After Taylor broke away from a lineout drive and got within inches of the line, the ball came to Reihana, who showed outside, threw a dummy that wrong-footed Clarke, and stepped through untouched to score under the posts.

Replacement halfback Preston then made an immediate impact off the bench. Bell sparked the counter-attack with a big break down the right, Springer charged to within five metres before popping off the ground to Cahill, and Preston finished the job by diving into the corner on the short side. At 24–13, the Blues were already struggling to stem the tide.

Fainga’anuku’s pièce de résistance arrived in the 60th minute. An offload from Reihana got McNicholl into the 22, and Fainga’anuku — arriving at the breakdown from his roaming position — played halfback, spotted the space on the right wing, and stabbed a perfectly weighted grubber along the carpet for his former wing partner Reece. Super Rugby’s all-time leading try scorer won the race to gather and add to his career tally, stretching the lead to 31–13 and seemingly ending the contest.

The final quarter, however, provided late drama. Replacement back MacDonald was shown a red card — upgraded from yellow after an off-field review — for a dangerous contest in the air that left Perofeta landing on his head and shoulder. Two minutes later, Sexton received a yellow for a cynical infringement after Clarke had scorched down the left touchline, leaving the Crusaders with just 13 players on the field. Sotutu muscled over from close range and Barrett converted, cutting the deficit to 31–20, but the Blues’ ill-discipline cost them any real chance of a miracle comeback. With a two-man advantage, McWhannell was penalised for obstructing Fainga’anuku at the ruck, handing the Crusaders a lifeline they did not squander. Bell eventually burrowed over from close range to seal the bonus point and the victory.

Now 6–6 and at least temporarily in fourth place on the ladder, the Crusaders head into their bye week knowing they will return inside the top six. For a side that entered the round with their playoff position under threat from the Highlanders, Waratahs and Drua lurking seven points behind, this was a statement result. Their final two regular-season matches — against the Chiefs and Hurricanes at home — will define whether the defending champions can mount a genuine title defence.

For the Blues, this is one to forget. They lost Dalton Papali’i early to a jaw issue, their pack struggled to match the Crusaders’ physicality, and they spent long periods on the back foot. There were bright moments from Nock, Clarke and Lam, but overall they were outplayed in a fixture that has haunted them for the best part of three decades. With the Hurricanes next up and the Highlanders to follow, Vern Cotter’s side will need a significant improvement if they are to secure the minor premiership and a home semi-final.

Match details

Crusaders 36 (Tries: George Bower, Jamie Hannah, Rivez Reihana, Kyle Preston, Sevu Reece, George Bell; Conversions: Reihana 3/6)
Blues 20 (Tries: AJ Lam, Sam Nock, Hoskins Sotutu; Penalties: Stephen Perofeta 1/1; Conversions: Perofeta 0/2, Beauden Barrett 1/1)
Half-time: 12–13

Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper

Teams

Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Kurtis MacDonald.

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Malachi Wrampling, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Sam Matenga, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Xavi Taele.

What’s next

The Crusaders enjoy the bye in Round 14 before hosting the Chiefs in Round 15. The Blues travel to Auckland to face the Hurricanes next Friday night.

The race for Super Rugby Pacific’s top six enters a critical phase in Round 13, with the Crusaders hosting the Blues in a blockbuster Christchurch derby on Friday night before the Queensland Reds face the Chiefs in a pivotal trans-Tasman clash at Suncorp Stadium that could shape the finals landscape.

With just four rounds remaining, the battle lines are sharpening. The Hurricanes lead the standings on 40 points despite losing All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard to a calf injury that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season. The Blues (38) sit second, the Chiefs (36) third, with the Reds and Crusaders locked together on 27 points and the Brumbies clinging to sixth on 25. Below them, the Highlanders, Waratahs and Fijian Drua are all level on 20 points, with the Force lurking on 18 — meaning every result this weekend carries enormous implications for the playoff picture.

The round kicks off with back-to-back Friday night fixtures across the Tasman, before a Saturday triple-header beginning with the Highlanders welcoming the Waratahs to Forsyth Barr Stadium, Moana Pasifika hosting a depleted Hurricanes side at North Harbour Stadium, and the Brumbies desperate to halt a three-match losing skid when the in-form Force visit Canberra. The Fijian Drua enjoy the bye following their historic first-ever win over the Highlanders in Ba.

Friday 8 May

Crusaders v Blues

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch — 7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST

The defending champions return to One NZ Stadium for only their second outing at their rebuilt home ground, and they will fancy their chances against a Blues outfit they have dominated on home soil — winning 19 of their last 20 home meetings. The Crusaders pushed the competition-leading Hurricanes all the way in Wellington last week, with their forward pack particularly impressive, and Rob Penney welcomes back Super Rugby’s all-time leading try scorer Sevu Reece on the right wing after two matches missed with illness. Rivez Reihana, last year’s championship-winning flyhalf, slots into the No.10 jersey in place of the injured Taha Kemara (knee), while veteran prop George Bower will mark his 100th Super Rugby cap in a formidable front-row trio alongside All Blacks Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell. Leicester Fainga’anuku makes a third straight start at openside flanker. However, Will Jordan (calf) and Scott Barrett (sabbatical) remain unavailable.

The Blues arrive in Christchurch looking to achieve something historically rare — multiple wins over the Crusaders in a season for just the second time in Super Rugby history, having previously done so only in 2003. Blues coach Vern Cotter has again preferred Stephen Perofeta at flyhalf after the six-test All Black’s impressive showing in last week’s 45–19 demolition of Moana Pasifika, with Beauden Barrett again providing firepower off the bench alongside Finlay Christie. “If you want a result later in the season, especially down in Christchurch, you need a strong 23,” Cotter said, adding that the decision was about managing minutes and ensuring the Blues can finish games strongly. “It’s about mixing up game time and making sure we’re getting the right balance. We’re looking at three games to make the top six.” AJ Lam and Dalton Papali’i return to the starting lineup, with veteran prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi shaking off a calf complaint in time. Anton Segner is set for his 50th game from the bench. The Blues need just one more win from their remaining three matches to secure a top-six finish, but a victory here would go a long way toward locking in a top-three berth and the home quarter-final that comes with it.

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Kurtis Macdonald.

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Malachi Wrampling, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Sam Matenga, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Xavi Taele.

Referee: Angus Gardner. Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan. TMO: Graham Cooper.

Unavailable — Crusaders: Will Jordan (calf), Scott Barrett (sabbatical), Taha Kemara (knee), Brayden Ennor (hamstring), Chay Fihaki (hamstring), Cullen Grace (knee).

Unavailable — Blues: Marcel Renata (ribs), Ben Ake (ankle).

Queensland Reds v Chiefs

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane — 7.35pm AEST

This shapes as the match of the round and a fixture that could define both teams’ finals aspirations. The fourth-placed Reds sit nine points adrift of the third-placed Chiefs and desperately need a home victory to keep alive any hope of finishing in the top three. Les Kiss’s side are in solid form, having won two of their last three and six of their last eight at home against New Zealand opposition. The centre pairing of Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook has been outstanding, flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips continues to impress, and Fraser McReight was arguably the player of the round last week with three turnovers against the Brumbies. Carter Gordon makes a timely return from a knee injury on the bench, replacing Ben Volavola, while winger Lachie Anderson returns from a dislocated wrist. Wallabies prop Aidan Ross (toe) misses out, with George Blake stepping in.

The Chiefs arrive in Brisbane fresh off their bye week but have been dealt a significant blow with confirmation that All Black Leroy Carter will miss the rest of the regular season with a hamstring injury, joining Emoni Narawa (foot) on the sideline. With Daniel Rona also hurt, Jono Gibbes must field a vastly inexperienced backline — three of the four outside backs in the 23 are aged 23 or younger. There is no such inexperience up front, however, with the fearsome loose forward trio of Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker and Wallace Sititi leading the way. Damian McKenzie directs operations from flyhalf, with Quinn Tupaea providing class in the midfield and a heavyweight bench including All Blacks Samisoni Taukei’aho, Cortez Ratima and Wallaby Lalakai Foketi. The Chiefs have won their last five matches by an average of 21.6 points and are looking for consecutive regular-season wins over the Reds for the first time since 2019.

Teams:

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Lachie Anderson, 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 George Blake.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Tyrone Thompson, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Fiti Sa, 20 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Lalakai Foketi.

Referee: Marcus Playle. Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore. TMO: Glenn Newman.

Unavailable — Reds: Aidan Ross (toe).

Unavailable — Chiefs: Leroy Carter (hamstring — season), Emoni Narawa (foot — season), Daniel Rona (hamstring).

Saturday 9 May

Highlanders v NSW Waratahs

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin — 4.35pm NZST / 2.35pm AEST

Both sides were beaten in Round 12 and both know this is close to a must-win fixture if they harbour any realistic finals hopes. The Highlanders ran out of steam in sweltering Fijian heat as the Drua recorded a historic 24–14 victory in Ba, but Jamie Joseph’s side return to Forsyth Barr Stadium — their last home match of the season — with a timely boost. All Blacks wing hopeful Caleb Tangitau returns from concussion to form a dynamic back three alongside Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Jonah Lowe, with the versatile Jona Nareki shifting to outside centre. The front row remains the Highlanders’ cornerstone, with All Blacks Ethan de Groot and Angus Ta’avao providing the grunt, and Argentina international Tomas Lavanini returns to the second row. With the roof closed at Forsyth Barr, conditions will suit the hosts’ quick, expansive style.

The Waratahs, meanwhile, arrive in Dunedin with their season on the line after losing 20–17 to the Force last Friday. Despite growing calls for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to be shifted to the backfield — former Wallaby Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts that it was time to “shelve that 13 experiment” — Dan McKellar has doubled down on the $5 million code-hopper at outside centre. “We just had no ball and that’s the reality,” McKellar said of the Force defeat, adding that Suaalii had also been restricted by an early knock. Suaalii managed just two run metres against the Force, but McKellar remains confident the conditions under the Forsyth Barr roof will bring out the best in his midfield. “We’ve got the roof on on Saturday afternoon,” he said. “We know we’re going to get good conditions, playing against a team that likes to play a fast, attacking style of rugby.” Jack Debreczeni starts at flyhalf with Lawson Creighton at inside centre, while captain Matt Philip (calf) is absent with halfback Jake Gordon taking the armband. Dan Botha returns from suspension at tighthead but regular loosehead Tom Lambert (knee) misses out. The Waratahs have won three of their last four against the Highlanders, with the previous three meetings decided by two points or fewer — but their 2022 win in Dunedin remains their last in New Zealand, with 12 consecutive losses across the ditch since.

Teams:

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

Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Miles Amatosero, 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Clem Halaholo, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Harry Potter.

Referee: Damon Murphy. Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, George Myers. TMO: James Leckie.

Unavailable — Highlanders: Nil reported.

Unavailable — Waratahs: Matt Philip (calf), Tom Lambert (knee), Joey Walton (neck).

Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland — 7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST

The Hurricanes’ bid to secure the top seed has taken a significant hit with the loss of All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard to a calf injury that could keep him out for three to four weeks — potentially the rest of the regular season. Ruben Love (ankle) also misses this fixture, while Jordie Barrett has been given a spell, leading to wholesale changes in the backline. Ereatara Enari and Lucas Cashmore step into the halves, with Jone Rova at inside centre. The forward pack features a new-look front row of Pouri Rakete-Stones, Vernon Bason and Pasilio Tosi, while the welcome return of powerful winger Kini Naholo from a long-term ACL injury adds excitement from the bench. “Having picked up a few injuries in the Crusaders game, it’s an opportunity for the squad to use its depth,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said. “The inclusion of Kini is super exciting. He’s done an unreal job with his ACL recovery.”

For Moana Pasifika, this is their penultimate home match before the franchise’s confirmed disbandment at the end of the season. Rock bottom of the table on six points with a 10-game losing streak, Tana Umaga’s side are playing for pride in their final weeks. They were outclassed 45–19 by the Blues last Saturday but have shown determination throughout a difficult campaign. Samoan international Faletoi Peni earns his first start in the midfield alongside Solomon Alaimalo, while lock Veikoso Poloniati returns to the starting lineup. Notably, Moana have won two of their three home matches against the Hurricanes in Auckland — a record that offers a glimmer of hope, even though the visitors have scored an average of 55 points per game in their last six wins over the islanders. The Hurricanes remain strong favourites, even without several key All Blacks.

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Faletoi Peni, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 4 Allan Craig, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai.
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Lolani Falevia, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jone Rova, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 6 Brad Shields, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Vernon Bason, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Hugo Plummer, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Bailyn Sullivan, 23 Kini Naholo.

Referee: Angus Mabey. Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter. TMO: Aaron Paterson.

Unavailable — Moana Pasifika: Nil reported.

Unavailable — Hurricanes: Cam Roigard (calf — 3-4 weeks), Ruben Love (ankle — 1 week).

ACT Brumbies v Western Force

GIO Stadium, Canberra — 7.35pm AEST

The Brumbies have lost three straight matches for the first time since 2018 and their hold on sixth place — and the final playoff berth — is loosening with every defeat. Stephen Larkham receives a timely boost with the return of Test tighthead Allan Alaalatoa from concussion, the experienced Wallaby joining James Slipper and Lachlan Lonergan in an all-international front row. The pack is otherwise unchanged. In the backline, Hudson Creighton starts at outside centre ahead of Kadin Pritchard, while Ollie Sapsford replaces Andy Muirhead on the wing — a move likely designed to counter the aerial threat of Force winger Zac Lomax. The Brumbies have won four of their last five against the Force but are seeking to avoid a third straight home loss, something they have not experienced since 2018.

The Force arrive in Canberra riding a wave of momentum, having beaten the Waratahs 20–17 in Sydney last Friday with Ben Donaldson and Dylan Pietsch — two NSW-born players — making their former club pay. Simon Cron’s side have won three of their past four and sit just seven points behind the Brumbies, meaning a victory in the capital would put the Force right in the mix for a maiden finals berth. Damaging No.8 Vaiolini Ekuasi returns after missing last week for personal reasons, while captain Jeremy Williams leads a settled forward pack. Darcy Swain is set for his 100th Super Rugby cap and Dylan Pietsch his 50th, adding milestone motivation. The Force won their last match in Canberra and victory would make it back-to-back in the nation’s capital for the first time since 2011. The lineout battle between Lachlan Shaw and Jeremy Williams — who sit first and second respectively for lineout steals this season — could prove decisive in a match many pundits are calling a genuine coin-flip.

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Hudson Creighton, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Toby Macpherson, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Chris Mickelson, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andy Muirhead.

Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Zac Lomax, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Referee: Nic Berry. Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley. TMO: Brett Cronan.

Unavailable — Brumbies: Charlie Cale (unavailable).

Unavailable — Force: Misinale Epenisa (HIA protocols).

BYE: Fijian Drua

The Drua enjoy a well-earned rest after their breakthrough 24–14 victory over the Highlanders in Ba — their first ever win over the Dunedin-based franchise. Isikeli Rabitu scored twice and Elia Canakaivata marked his 50th cap with a decisive try in what was one of the most significant results in the franchise’s short history. Level on 20 points with the Highlanders and Waratahs, the Drua remain mathematically alive for a top-six finish heading into the final stretch.

Standings heading into Round 13

• 1st Hurricanes — 40 points (P10, W8, L2)
• 2nd Blues — 38 points (P11, W8, L3)
• 3rd Chiefs — 36 points (P10, W8, L2)
• 4th Queensland Reds — 27 points (P11, W5, L6)
• 5th Crusaders — 27 points (P11, W5, L6)
• 6th ACT Brumbies — 25 points (P11, W5, L6)
• – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (Playoff cutoff) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• 7th Highlanders — 20 points (P11, W4, L7)
• 8th NSW Waratahs — 20 points (P10, W4, L6)
• 9th Fijian Drua — 20 points (P11, W4, L7)
• 10th Western Force — 18 points (P10, W4, L6)
• 11th Moana Pasifika — 6 points (P11, W1, L10)

Milestones

• George Bower (Crusaders) — 100th Super Rugby cap
• Darcy Swain (Force) — 100th Super Rugby cap
• Anton Segner (Blues) — 50th Super Rugby cap
• Dylan Pietsch (Force) — 50th Super Rugby cap

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)