David Havili produced one of the performances of the Super Rugby Pacific season to lead the Crusaders to a breathtaking 36–32 comeback victory over the Chiefs at One New Zealand Stadium, scoring the match-winning try and setting it up with a booming 50/22 kick that nearly lifted the roof off the ground.

Key moments

5 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Kyren Taumoefolau finished in the right corner after slick hands from Josh Jacomb and Liam Coombes-Fabling. Jacomb missed the conversion from wide out. (Crusaders 0–5 Chiefs)

13 mins – TRY DISALLOWED CRUSADERS: Noah Hotham streaked 45m down the left touchline from a quick lineout, but the TMO ruled it out after replays showed his boot grazed the touchline in Isaac Hutchinson’s covering tackle.

19 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Leicester Fainga’anuku powered through Luke Jacobson’s tackle from close range after the Crusaders’ maul surged forward from a lineout. Rivez Reihana missed the conversion. (Crusaders 5–5 Chiefs)

24 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Samisoni Taukei’aho peeled off the back of a driving maul to score the Chiefs’ second try after a high tackle by Fainga’anuku on Hutchinson had given the visitors field position. Jacomb converted. (Crusaders 5–12 Chiefs)

29 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Jamie Hannah collected a bounce pass and powered over in the corner after Sevu Reece regathered his own chip kick and sent Chay Fihaki into the 22. Reihana missed the conversion. (Crusaders 10–12 Chiefs)

33 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Josh Lord picked and drove over from the goal line for his first Super Rugby try in his 42nd match, after the Chiefs pounded through multiple phases close to the line. Jacomb converted. (Crusaders 10–19 Chiefs)

37 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Christian Lio-Willie crashed over from close range after Noah Hotham popped a short pass. Reihana converted. (Crusaders 17–19 Chiefs)

Half-time: Crusaders 17–19 Chiefs. A pulsating first half featuring six tries. The Chiefs had the edge through their set piece, with Taukei’aho and Lord both scoring from lineout drives, but the Crusaders hit back each time through the power of Fainga’anuku and the finishing of Hannah. Hutchinson’s covering tackle to deny Hotham a try in the 13th minute was a pivotal moment.

44 mins – PENALTY CHIEFS: Jacomb slotted from 23m out after the Chiefs won a scrum penalty for illegal wheeling. (Crusaders 17–22 Chiefs)

51 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: Johnny McNicholl dived over after Reece made a searing break down the right touchline from a Chiefs handling error and delivered a pinpoint pass back infield. Taha Kemara converted. (Crusaders 24–22 Chiefs)

55 mins – TRY CHIEFS: Quinn Tupaea ran a cracking angle through a gap from a crisp flat pass by Jacomb off a lineout movement. Jacomb converted. (Crusaders 24–29 Chiefs)

66 mins – PENALTY CHIEFS: Jacomb landed from close range after the Chiefs pounded through 20 phases on the Crusaders’ goal line before earning a penalty for side entry at the ruck. (Crusaders 24–32 Chiefs)

71 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: McNicholl scored his second after Will Jordan floated a long pass to the right corner. Kemara missed the conversion from wide out. (Crusaders 29–32 Chiefs)

75 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: David Havili sliced through under the posts after Fainga’anuku drew multiple defenders and flicked an offload. Havili had earlier pumped a huge 50/22 kick to put the Crusaders back on attack. Kemara converted. (Crusaders 36–32 Chiefs)

80 mins – MISSED PENALTY CRUSADERS: Kemara’s attempt from 47m dropped short.

Full-time: Crusaders 36–32 Chiefs

Match report

The Crusaders scored twice in the final nine minutes to complete a stunning comeback and beat the Chiefs 36–32 in a see-sawing classic at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. Trailing by eight points with 14 minutes remaining, the defending champions dug deep through the brilliance of captain David Havili and the relentless power of Leicester Fainga’anuku to seal a result that secures their place in the Super Rugby Pacific finals and keeps alive their push for a home qualifying final.

The victory was the Crusaders’ third in succession over the Chiefs and extended their unbeaten record at One New Zealand Stadium to three matches. For the Chiefs, it snapped a seven-match winning streak that had dated back to late March and all but ended their hopes of overhauling the Hurricanes for the minor premiership.

The match was a fitting rematch of last year’s final, with the two heavyweights trading blows from the opening whistle. The Chiefs struck first in the fifth minute when Kyren Taumoefolau muscled over in the right corner after slick hands from Josh Jacomb and Liam Coombes-Fabling created the overlap. Jacomb missed the conversion, but the visitors had set the tone.

The Crusaders thought they had hit back immediately when halfback Noah Hotham streaked 45 metres down the left touchline from a quick lineout with Sevu Reece, only for the TMO to deny him after replays showed his boot had grazed the touchline in a desperate covering tackle by Isaac Hutchinson. It was a pivotal intervention from the fullback, who was starting in place of the concussed Damian McKenzie, and one that denied the Crusaders momentum at a crucial juncture.

They would not be denied for long. The Crusaders built relentless pressure through their maul and a string of penalties against the Chiefs, who were given a warning for persistent infringement. Fainga’anuku was the beneficiary, powering through Luke Jacobson’s tackle from close range to level the scores in the 19th minute. Rivez Reihana missed the conversion, leaving the Chiefs ahead on points differential alone.

The pattern of punch and counter-punch defined the remainder of the first half. A high tackle by Fainga’anuku on Hutchinson gave the Chiefs field position, and their lineout drive proved irresistible as Samisoni Taukei’aho peeled off the back to score his ninth try of the season. The Crusaders responded through Jamie Hannah, who collected a bounce pass and powered over in the corner after Reece had regathered his own chip kick to create the opening.

Josh Lord then drove over from the goal line for his first Super Rugby try in his 42nd match, extending the Chiefs’ lead to 19–10 after another dominant lineout drive. But Christian Lio-Willie crashed over from a Noah Hotham short pass to reduce the deficit to two points at the break.

The Chiefs edged further ahead early in the second half when Jacomb slotted a penalty after a dominant scrum earned a penalty for illegal wheeling. The Crusaders then seized the lead for the first time in the 51st minute. A Chiefs handling error gifted them possession, and Reece made a searing break down the right touchline before delivering a pinpoint pass back infield to replacement Johnny McNicholl. Taha Kemara, who had come on for Reihana, converted from wide to put the Crusaders 24–22 ahead.

The Chiefs’ response was immediate and clinical. Off the top of a lineout, Xavier Roe fed Jacomb, who delivered a crisp flat pass to Quinn Tupaea. The inside centre ran a devastating angle through a gap in the Crusaders’ defensive line and scored untouched under the posts. Tupaea had been outstanding throughout, and this was his signature moment.

Jacomb extended the lead to eight points in the 66th minute after the Chiefs pounded through 20 phases on the Crusaders’ goal line. The Red and Blacks held firm for phase after phase but were eventually penalised for side entry at the ruck, and Jacomb made no mistake from close range.

With the match slipping away, the Crusaders produced their most clinical passage of the season. McNicholl scored his second in the 71st minute, finishing in the right corner after Will Jordan floated a long pass from a sustained attack. Kemara missed the conversion from wide, leaving the Crusaders three points adrift with nine minutes remaining.

Then came the moment that will define the Crusaders’ season. Havili, standing on his own 22-metre line, pumped a huge kick that bounced into touch eight metres from the Chiefs’ line — a 50/22 that flipped the field position and sent the sold-out crowd into a frenzy. From the resulting lineout, the Crusaders worked through multiple phases before Fainga’anuku drew in several defenders and flicked a late offload to Havili, who sliced through to score under the posts. Kemara converted to push the lead to four.

The drama was not finished. Kemara’s penalty attempt from 47 metres with time up dropped short, giving the Chiefs one final chance to steal the match. Hutchinson and Taumoefolau burst through the line and into the 22, but they were isolated and turned over. Fainga’anuku then booted the ball into touch to seal an enthralling victory.

Fainga’anuku was immense throughout, carrying with trademark power and providing the decisive assist for Havili’s winner. Lio-Willie was a standout in the loose, while Reece was a constant threat on the wing with his involvement in two of the Crusaders’ six tries. For the Chiefs, Wallace Sititi and Taukei’aho were tireless up front, Lord was influential in the lineout, and Hutchinson impressed at fullback with his try-saving tackle and threatening breaks. Tupaea’s try was a moment of genuine class.

The result lifts the Crusaders to 36 points on the ladder, just two behind the Blues in third. With both sides meeting the top two in the final round — the Crusaders hosting the Hurricanes and the Blues travelling to Hamilton to face the Chiefs — the race for a home qualifying final could go down to the wire.

Match details

Crusaders 36 (Tries: Fainga’anuku, Hannah, Lio-Willie, McNicholl 2, Havili; Conversions: Reihana 1/3, Kemara 2/3)
Chiefs 32 (Tries: Taumoefolau, Taukei’aho, Lord, Tupaea; Conversions: Jacomb 3/4; Penalties: Jacomb 2/2)
Half-time: 17–19

Venue: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glen Newman

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.

What’s next

The Crusaders host the Hurricanes in the final round of the regular season, needing a win to potentially claim third place and a home qualifying final. The Chiefs travel to Hamilton to face the Blues, with second place already secure but the chance to deny the Blues a home final adding spice to the occasion.

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)

The Western Force survived a heart-stopping finale to beat the Queensland Reds 19–14 at HBF Park, with veteran Kurtley Beale producing a match-winning turnover in the dying seconds and Carlo Tizzano crossing twice on his 50th Force appearance. The result blows the Super Rugby Pacific finals race wide open with two rounds remaining.

Key moments

6 mins – TRY FORCE: Brandon Paenga-Amosa throws for Jeremy Williams, who claims nicely. The Force set up the rolling maul and drive towards the line before Carlo Tizzano emerges from the pile at the back. Max Burey converts. (Force 7–0 Reds)

11 mins – BIG HIT: Zac Lomax is crunched by debutant lock Hamish Muller in a bone-rattling front-on tackle that halts the Force’s momentum.

20 mins – TRY REDS: Carter Gordon nails a 50–22 to flip field position. Harry Wilson bursts straight through the defence and is cut down two metres short by Mac Grealy. Louis Werchon goes left to Joe Brial, who powers over. Werchon converts. (Force 7–7 Reds)

27–31 mins – REDS SIEGE: The Reds set up camp inside the Force 22, tapping twice from penalties five metres out but the Force hold firm. Zac Lomax produces a remarkable juggling intercept to deny a golden opportunity, before Carter Gordon stabs a kick into the in-goal that is knocked on by the Reds. Force survive.

Half-time: Force 7–7 Reds. A fiercely contested first half with momentum constantly shifting. Tizzano’s maul try gave the Force an early lead, but Gordon’s 50–22 and Wilson’s power set up Brial’s equaliser. The Reds dominated the final 15 minutes but were denied by Lomax’s intercept and their own handling errors. The Reds lost four of their nine lineout throws in the opening 40 minutes.

44 mins – TRY FORCE: Hamish Stewart sends a cross-field kick for Zac Lomax, who cannot regather cleanly but the ball falls backwards off him. Mac Grealy pounces on it to score on his 50th Super Rugby appearance. Burey converts. (Force 14–7 Reds)

48 mins – REDS DENIED: Harry Wilson dives for the line under penalty advantage, but the TMO finds no conclusive evidence of a grounding. The Reds opt for a five-metre scrum.

51 mins – TRY REDS: From the scrum, Wilson goes left and the Reds swing it wide. Gordon throws a classy pass to Jock Campbell, who shifts it to Tim Ryan on the edge, and the winger strolls over in the corner. Werchon converts from the touchline. (Force 14–14 Reds)

55 mins – TRY FORCE: Max Burey stabs a kick over the top and George Bridge claims it with a juggling grab 15 metres out. The Force spread it left and find Carlo Tizzano on the edge, who dives over for his second. Burey’s conversion hits the left post. (Force 19–14 Reds)

77 mins – CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT: Tim Ryan breaks through the line and finds Treyvon Pritchard, who crosses halfway and dishes off an inside pass towards Jock Campbell. Force fly-half Max Burey gets in the way and the ball deflects off him. The Reds’ coaching staff are left fuming, believing it was a cynical knock-down, but referee Jordan Way deems the ball came off Burey’s chest in a legitimate play. Force scrum.

80 mins – BEALE SEALS IT: The Reds mount a final attack from a scrum 22 metres out, building phases through Wilson, Brial and Uru. Brial loses it in contact, Dylan Pietsch picks it up, and Kurtley Beale wins the decisive turnover with a clean rip. Burey kicks to touch to seal the victory on Beale’s 185th Super Rugby appearance — equal third all-time with Aaron Smith.

Full-time: Western Force 19–14 Queensland Reds

Match report

For a team clinging to the faintest of finals hopes, the Force produced the kind of gritty, desperate performance that will sustain their belief heading into the final fortnight. Tizzano’s double and Beale’s nerveless intervention in the dying seconds earned a victory that keeps the Force mathematically alive at 22 points, six adrift of the Reds in sixth, with home matches against the Fijian Drua and Waratahs still to come. For Les Kiss’s Reds, who chose to rest four Wallabies for the trip west, it was a result that could prove enormously costly.

The Force struck first through the set piece, turning down an early penalty in favour of the corner and making it count when their rolling maul powered Tizzano over in the sixth minute for his sixth try of the season. It was a textbook finish from a forward pack that had clearly identified the lineout drive as their primary weapon, and Burey’s conversion gave the home side a confident start.

The Reds responded through the individual brilliance of their captain. Wilson stormed through the middle of the Force defence with a carry that should have produced a try, only for Grealy to somehow haul him down two metres short. Brial finished the job from close range two phases later, and Werchon’s conversion levelled the scores. Gordon’s 50–22 had been the catalyst — a beautifully weighted kick that flipped field position and put the Reds on the front foot.

What followed was a prolonged Reds siege that should have produced at least one more try. They tapped twice from penalties five metres out, only for the Force’s desperate defence to hold firm each time. When space finally opened, Lomax produced a remarkable juggling intercept that denied the Reds what appeared a certain score. The visitors then butchered another golden opportunity when a Gordon grubber sat up invitingly in the in-goal, only for the Reds to knock it on. At 7–7 at the break, the Force could consider themselves fortunate to still be level.

The second half opened with a bang. Stewart’s cross-field kick sailed over Lomax and Ryan, the ball falling backwards off the Force winger for Grealy to pounce on and score on his 50th Super Rugby appearance. Burey’s conversion made it 14–7, but the Reds struck back swiftly through a slick set-piece move. Gordon’s classy pass found Campbell — magnificent on his 100th Super Rugby cap with 87 metres gained from eight carries — who put Ryan into the corner untouched. Werchon’s touchline conversion levelled things once more.

Tizzano’s second try proved the difference. Burey’s chip kick and Bridge’s juggling claim 15 metres out created the opening, and the Force’s multi-phase attack worked the ball wide left where Tizzano was waiting on the wing. Burey’s conversion struck the post, leaving the margin at just five points and ensuring a nerve-shredding final quarter.

The Reds threw everything at the Force in the closing 25 minutes but could not find the breakthrough. The most controversial moment arrived in the 77th minute when Ryan broke through the line and found Pritchard streaming down the wing. The teenager’s inside pass towards Campbell was deflected by Burey, who got his body in the way. Kiss and his coaching staff were furious, believing it warranted a yellow card or penalty try, but Way ruled the ball had come off Burey’s chest in a legitimate attempt to intercept. Kiss was philosophical afterwards. “You knock the ball and knock it to the ground,” he said. “That’s up for them to make a choice. It certainly seems to have changed in terms of its interpretation in that area. But it is what it is. We’ll live with it and accept it, no problems.”

The final act belonged to Beale. With the Reds building phases from a scrum 22 metres out, Brial lost the ball in contact and Beale pounced with a clean rip to seal the victory on his 185th Super Rugby appearance — drawing level with Aaron Smith for third on the all-time list behind James Slipper (210) and Wyatt Crockett (202). “I didn’t realise that but I’m really enjoying my rugby,” Beale told Stan Sport. “The Western Force are an amazing club, great organisation, and a great bunch of lads here to play with.”

Williams, who led the Force superbly from lock, summed up the significance of the result. “It was a bit of a do-or-die game for us,” the captain said. “We’ve just got to walk towards it I guess.” For Wilson and the Reds, the mood was altogether different. “It’s very disappointing,” the skipper said. “We had plenty of chances and didn’t capitalise. We got in their A-zone a few times and not being able to complete there definitely hurt us.”

The loss leaves the Reds clinging to sixth on 27 points, just two ahead of the Waratahs after their 50–35 demolition of the Drua in Suva earlier in the day. With trips to face Moana Pasifika and then a home match against the Drua to come, Kiss’s gamble to rest McReight, Flook, Daugunu and Salakaia-Loto may yet prove a costly miscalculation. The Force, meanwhile, moved up to ninth on 22 points and will fancy their chances of adding to their tally with the Drua and Waratahs visiting Perth in the final two rounds.

Match details

Western Force 19 (Tries: Tizzano 2, Grealy; Conversions: Burey 2/3)
Queensland Reds 14 (Tries: Brial, Ryan; Conversions: Werchon 2/2)
Half-time: 7–7

Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Attendance: 6,203
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia). Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey. TMO: James Leckie.

Teams

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Zac Lomax, 13 George Bridge, 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 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Queensland Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Tim Ryan, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Lachie Anderson, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 John Bryant, 6 Joe Brial, 5 Seru Uru, 4 Hamish Muller, 3 Massimo De Luttis, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 George Blake.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Charlie Brosnan, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

What’s next

The Force host the Fijian Drua in Perth next weekend before finishing the season at home against the Waratahs. The Reds travel to Auckland to face Moana Pasifika before a final-round home match against the Drua, needing at least one win to secure their place in the top six.