The penultimate round of the regular season could reshape the Super Rugby Pacific finals picture, with the top two settled but everything from third to tenth still in play. The Crusaders host the Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s final at One NZ Stadium, while the Waratahs and Brumbies meet in Sydney with genuine elimination stakes for both sides.

The Hurricanes lead on 50 points after their 47–24 win over the Blues at Eden Park last weekend — a result that carried Fehi Fineanganofo to 16 tries for the season, equalling Joe Roff and Ben Lam’s all-time record. The Chiefs sit second on 45 points following their 42–12 defeat of the Highlanders, though the loss of Damian McKenzie to concussion is a significant blow. Five matches across Friday and Saturday will go a long way to determining who makes the top six, with the Blues on the bye after back-to-back defeats.

Friday 22 May

Crusaders v Chiefs

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

This is a fixture that needs no embellishment. The defending champions against the side with designs on dethroning them, at a venue where the Crusaders are unbeaten this season, with a home final potentially at stake for the winners. The Crusaders cannot afford to lose either of their remaining matches if they want to guarantee a place in the top six, while the Chiefs are hunting maximum points to keep the pressure on the Hurricanes in the race for the minor premiership.

Rob Penney’s most significant selection boost is the return of Will Jordan at fullback. The All Blacks star has been sidelined for six weeks with a calf injury but trained fully this week and slots straight back into the number 15 jersey. Chay Fihaki also returns on the right wing after missing the Round 12 loss to the Force with a hamstring complaint. However, All Blacks captain Scott Barrett remains absent with a back injury, and the Crusaders have also lost hooker George Bell (calf, up to four weeks) and lock Tahlor Cahill (hamstring, up to three weeks). Former New Zealand under-20s captain Manumaua Leitu takes Bell’s place on the bench.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, must cope without McKenzie after the playmaker was concussed in the 42–12 win over the Highlanders in Hamilton. Isaac Hutchinson comes in at fullback, with Josh Jacomb continuing at ten — a pairing that looked comfortable enough in last week’s one-sided victory but faces an altogether sterner examination in Christchurch. Quinn Tupaea returns to the midfield after a week off, and his duel with Crusaders captain David Havili could be pivotal. Lock Josh Lord is back from concussion to partner Tupou Vaa’i in an All Blacks-laden forward pack where tighthead Sione Ahio is the only non-international starter.

Gibbes was bullish about the opportunity, despite the loss of McKenzie. “It’s great to have such a stable side to pick at this time of the season,” he said. “Especially for a game as big as playing the Crusaders at their new stadium. The energy around the place is building towards challenging the Crusaders in front of a full house at their magnificent stadium. They are a tough nut to crack. They are uncompromising and always very physical and it will be a big occasion down there that we are looking forward to.” The Chiefs have won two of the last five meetings with the Crusaders, though the hosts have already beaten them once this season.

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 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 Manumaua Leitu, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Liam Jack, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Johnny McNicholl.

Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Sione Ahio, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Daniel Rona.

Referee: James Doleman. Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon. TMO: Glen Newman.

Unavailable — Crusaders: Scott Barrett (back — indefinite), George Bell (calf — up to four weeks), Tahlor Cahill (hamstring — up to three weeks).

Unavailable — Chiefs: Damian McKenzie (concussion — minimum one week).

NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies

Allianz Stadium, Sydney — 7.35pm AEST

If the Crusaders against the Chiefs is this round’s headline act, the Waratahs against the Brumbies runs it close for intensity and consequence. The Waratahs sit seventh on 26 points, three behind their Canberra rivals, and likely need to win both their remaining fixtures — this and a trip to Perth to face the Force — to make the top six. The Brumbies, fifth on 29 points, know a victory here could all but secure their finals spot.

The Waratahs will be buoyed by last weekend’s stunning 50–35 bonus-point victory over the Fijian Drua in Suva — a result few saw coming given their three-game losing streak beforehand. Eight tries, including a brace from hooker Ioane Moananu and an explosive display from Max Jorgensen, reignited a campaign that had appeared to be drifting. Dan McKellar has kept faith with the same starting XV. “There’s a whole lot of energy off the back of the performance and the momentum that we created from that (weekend win), and we probably built a little bit of momentum that last half-hour against the Highlanders,” he said. The notable absentee is Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has been wrapped in cotton wool after his hamstring complaint flared up again. “He was a possibility. If it’s a grand final, you’ll probably roll him out,” McKellar said, though he ruled out any re-tear. Jake Gordon is also unavailable due to illness.

Stephen Larkham has taken a more nuanced approach with the Brumbies, resting Nick Frost, Lachlan Lonergan and Hudson Creighton from the starting line-up. Cadeyrn Neville, Billy Pollard and rookie Kadin Pritchard come in, with Frost and Lonergan stationed on the bench as impact weapons. “We know Lonergan and Nick Frost will add a lot of impact and energy off the bench, and that’s sort of what we’re looking for,” Larkham said. “We know that with the Waratahs, like every team in the competition, the games come down to the wire, so we need to make sure that we’re balanced out of the 80 minutes.” Rob Valetini and Tom Wright, two of the competition’s most dangerous performers, will be crucial to the visitors’ chances.

This is the second meeting between the sides this season, with the Waratahs chasing an unlikely clean sweep. Centre Joey Walton is the sole change to the bench, returning from a neck injury.

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (c), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 Jack Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Oniti Finau, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Joey Walton.

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 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 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andy Muirhead.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe. Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert. TMO: Richard Kelly.

Unavailable — Waratahs: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (hamstring — day-to-day), Jake Gordon (illness).

Saturday 23 May

Moana Pasifika v Queensland Reds

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland — 4.35pm NZST / 2.35pm AEST

This could be a farewell occasion. With Moana Pasifika reportedly on the cusp of withdrawing from Super Rugby, this penultimate home match at North Harbour Stadium carries an emotional weight that transcends the standings. The Tana Umaga-coached side have won just once this season — an upset over the Fijian Drua — but have shown throughout the campaign that they can trouble stronger sides. Fresh from the bye week, they will relish the chance to spoil the Reds’ finals ambitions in front of their home crowd one last time.

The Reds, sixth on 28 points, cannot afford a slip-up. Back-to-back defeats — a narrow loss to the Force in Perth and last week’s hammering by the Hurricanes — have left them clinging to a finals berth by the thinnest of margins, just two points clear of the surging Waratahs. The big news is the return of Wallaby halfback Tate McDermott, who will play his first match since sustaining a hamstring injury against New Zealand last September. His reunion with Carter Gordon at halfback is one the Reds’ coaching staff have been planning towards. “I grew up at the same school as (Gordon) on the Sunshine Coast, so I know him really well,” McDermott said. “It’s a combination I’m really excited to get back in the hot seat again, and I think we have similar strengths, we see the game in a similar way.”

Elsewhere, the Reds welcome back Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Fraser McReight, as well as lock Josh Canham, whose return should help address the lineout issues that plagued them in recent weeks. Captain McReight leads from openside, with Harry Wilson at number eight providing his usual destructive ball-carrying.

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Tevita Latu, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 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 Paula Latu, 19 Alefosio Aho, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Faletoi Peni, 23 Tuna Tuitama.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Treyvon Pritchard, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Filipo Daugunu, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 George Blake.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Lachie Anderson.

Referee: Reuben Keane. Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Louis Trisley. TMO: Brett Cronan.

Hurricanes v Highlanders

Hnry Stadium, Wellington — 7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST

The Hurricanes can all but wrap up the minor premiership with a bonus-point victory, and on recent evidence, the Highlanders may not have the firepower to prevent it. Clark Laidlaw’s side have been irresistible in recent weeks — the 47–24 destruction of the Blues at Eden Park their most emphatic statement yet — and come into this contest brimming with confidence at their Wellington fortress.

Laidlaw has made six changes to his starting line-up, resting the mercurial Fineanganofo along with centre Billy Proctor. That means the winger’s assault on the all-time Super Rugby season try-scoring record — he needs just one more to surpass Roff and Lam’s mark of 16 — will have to wait until the final round against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Kini Naholo and Ngane Punivai start on the wings, with Bailyn Sullivan coming into the midfield alongside Jordie Barrett. Tighthead Pasilio Tosi and fullback Josh Moorby will both earn their 50th Hurricanes caps. Cam Roigard (calf) and Tyrel Lomax (ankle) remain unavailable, but both could return for the final round.

The Highlanders, by contrast, are staring at the end of their season. Eighth on 24 points, Jamie Joseph’s side need to win here with a bonus point and then hope for a series of unlikely results elsewhere — including Waratahs, Reds and Force defeats — to sneak into the top six. They have a bye in the final round, making this their last match of the campaign. The loss of Caleb Tangitau to a ruptured Achilles tendon last weekend robs them of one of their most exciting backs, with Xavier Tito-Harris stepping in on the right wing. Jona Nareki returns from suspension at centre, and halfback Nic Shearer replaces Adam Lennox in the starting nine. Wellington product Stanley Solomon could make his Super Rugby debut from the bench in his hometown.

“We’re really looking forward to our last round-robin game at home after being on the road up in Auckland,” Laidlaw said. “We’re expecting the Highlanders to come swinging. We thought, for large parts, they did really well against the Chiefs last week and we didn’t really feel like the scoreline represented how the game looked, so we’ll need to put in a good performance and play well to get the win.” The Hurricanes have won the last five meetings between the sides.

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-c), 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Siale Lauaki.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Tom Allen, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Jone Rova.

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

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

Unavailable — Hurricanes: Fehi Fineanganofo (rested), Billy Proctor (rested), Cam Roigard (calf), Tyrel Lomax (ankle).

Unavailable — Highlanders: Caleb Tangitau (ruptured Achilles — season), Nikora Broughton (knee).

Western Force v Fijian Drua

HBF Park, Perth — 7.35pm AWST / 9.35pm AEST

The Force’s mid-season revival has been one of the competition’s most compelling subplots. Wins over the Reds (twice), Waratahs and Crusaders have propelled them from afterthought to outside finals contender, and while their path to the top six is narrow, Simon Cron’s side will not go quietly. They sit ninth on 22 points and need the teams above them to stumble, but a victory here would keep the conversation alive heading into the final round.

Bayley Kuenzle moves into the outside centre channel — a notable positional switch — while 20-year-old Boston Fakafanua is in line for his debut from the bench. Ben Donaldson is absent for the second consecutive week, with Max Burey continuing at fly-half. George Bridge also misses out. Jeremy Williams captains a forward pack that has been the foundation of the Force’s resurgence, with Carlo Tizzano and the in-form Mac Grealy both key contributors.

The Fijian Drua arrive in Perth smarting from last weekend’s 50–35 defeat to the Waratahs in Suva — a result that badly damaged their own finals hopes. They sit tenth on 20 points and need to win both remaining matches while hoping results elsewhere fall perfectly. Temo Mayanavanua captains the side, with Virimi Vakatawa providing class at inside centre and the versatile Isoa Tuwai at number eight. The Force have won both previous meetings at HBF Park.

Teams:

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

Fijian Drua: 15 Isikeli Rabitu, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Maika Tuitubou, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Isoa Tuwai, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Vilive Miramira, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (c), 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Meli Tuni.
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Penaia Cakobau, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Isoa Nasilasila, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Iosefo Namoce.

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

Unavailable — Force: Ben Donaldson (unspecified), George Bridge (unspecified).

Bye: Blues

The Blues (38 points, third) have the weekend off after back-to-back defeats to the Crusaders and the Hurricanes that have left their home-final status under threat. They can still clinch third with a victory over the Chiefs in the final round, but a Crusaders win this weekend would tighten the gap considerably.

Milestones

Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes) — 50th Hurricanes cap
Josh Moorby (Hurricanes) — 50th Hurricanes cap
Tate McDermott (Reds) — first Super Rugby Pacific appearance of the 2026 season, returning from hamstring injury sustained in September 2025

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)