Super Rugby Pacific, Round 11 - teams and predictions

PREVIEW: The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season is heating up with teams eager to secure home play-off spots.

As we head into Round 11, the Chiefs and Crusaders are the league’s frontrunners, with both on 32 log points.

And while some may predict a two-horse race for the top spot, the Brumbies are hot on their heels in third with 28 points.

All three will be in action this weekend, with first-placed Chiefs taking on the Western Force on Friday at the Bay Oval.

Queensland Reds and the defending champions the Blues, face off in Brisbane afterwards.

On Saturday, Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua resume their rivalry in Auckland, followed by the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders.

The Brumbies and Hurricanes conclude the round in Canberra, with the NSW Waratahs on the bye.

The Crusaders’ resurgence back to the top has been remarkable. Last season they finished ninth, but the current squad are sitting in second in the 2025 season –  with a game in hand.

They have a record of six wins from eight matches, on par with the championship-winning side of 2023 at the same stage.

The side is coming straight off a physical clash against the Blues last week, and straight into another hearty rivalry against the Highlanders.

“This string of local derbies is brutal, but the boys are embracing it,” said Crusaders head coach Rob Penney.

“It was a tough gig on Friday night against the Blues – they were impressive, and we had to dig deep – we’re expecting no different this week as we head down to the Highlanders.

“They’ll be hurting, and they’ll be up for red and black travelling south because they always are.”

See below for Round 10’s teams and predictions!

Friday, April 25:

Chiefs v Western Force
(Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui – Kick-off: 19.05; 17.05 AEST; 07.05 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by seven points.

Teams: 

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Daniel Rona, 10 Josh Jacomb,, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Kalyum Boshier,, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Wallace Sititi, 22 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 23 Kaleb Trask

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Ryan Coxon
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Josh Smith, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Doug Philipson, 22 Max Burey, 23 George Poolman

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

Queensland Reds v Blues
(Lang Park, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19.35; 21.35 NZST; 09.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Reds by three points.

Teams: 

Queensland Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Dre Pakeho, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Joe Brial, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Sef Fa’agase.
Replacements: 16 George Blake, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Ryan Smith, 21 John Bryant, 22 Kalani Thomas, 23 Heremaia Murray

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Cam Christie, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu, 19 Lachlan McWhannell, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Adrian Choat, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Corey Evans

Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: James Leckie

Saturday, April 26

Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland – Kick-off: 16.35; 04.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Moana Pasifika by 10 points.

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Lalomilo Lalamilo, , 12 Danny Toala, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Tomasi Maka, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Allan Craigm, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Julian Savea

Fiji Drua: 15 Vuate Karawelavu, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Inia Tabuavou, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samu Tawake, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (captain), 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Meli Tuni, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Leone Nawai, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Selestino Ravutaumada

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Marcus Playle
TMO: Glenn Newman

Highlanders v Crusaders
(Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Crusaders by five points.

Teams: 

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Jake Te Hiwi, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Will Stodart, 7 Sean Withy, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Josh Whaanga

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Xavier Saifoloi, , 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Chay Fihaki

Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Brett Cronan

Brumbies v Hurricanes
(Canberra Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 19.35; 21.35 NZST; 09.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Brumbies by seven points.

Teams: 

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuanina Taii Tualima, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Rhys van Nek, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Rory Scott, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Riley Higgins, 11 Kini Nanolo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Zach Gallagher, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Tevita Mafileo
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Bailyn Sullivan

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly