Super Rugby Pacific, Round 13 - Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: A top-of-the-table blockbuster between the Crusaders and Chiefs in Christchurch will headline the fixtures in Round 13 of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

The sides will enter the clash level on points (37). However, the Chiefs have played one match more so far.

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has made seven changes to the starting line-up that faced the Highlanders two weeks ago in Dunedin.

Some changes are due to injury; including Taha Kemara who ruptured his ACL and Xavier Saifoloi who is nursing a knee injury.

Tamaiti Williams steps back into the starting prop position this week, alongside Codie Taylor at hooker and Fletcher Newell completes the front row.

Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfoon are paired at lock, while Cullen Grace and Tom Christie will start in the flank positions.

Christian Lio-Willie completes the forward pack at No.8.

This week, we’ll see a new combination of Noah Hotham at scrumhalf and Rivez Reihana in the No.10 jersey for his first start of the season.

The story continues below…

The race for the top six is heating up 🥵

Here’s how the opening round of Finals would look like if the season ended today 👀

Will there be any late round surprises?#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/Kt4Urn1MGS

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 6, 2025

“Rivez has been working really hard in the non-playing group while he’s been recovering from injury and has been leading that team so when he came in it was seamless and we were really impressed with how he slotted in,” says Penney.

“It’s a great credit to the non-playing group; every week they set us up to play the best we can.”

Sevu Reece is back on the left wing, with Chay Fihaki on the right wing.

Captain David Havili is at centre alongside Braydon Ennor who is making his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury.

Will Jordan will start at fullback again.

“We’re in a position where we are a master of our own destiny which is awesome but it’s going to be a brutal weekend and we’re going to try and capitalise on the opportunity we’ve got to get back on top of the table, but it won’t be easy,” says Penney.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have also unveiled a strong matchday squad for Saturday’s clash.

Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Wallace Sititi will add firepower to the forward pack after making valuable contributions off the bench in recent weeks.

Chiefs fans will be delighted to see Damian McKenzie returning at flyhalf after two weeks on the sideline with a hand injury.

Brodie McAlister has been named at hooker and is set to face off against familiar foes. Now wearing the Chiefs jersey with pride, the former Crusaders hooker brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of southern tactics, adding fuel to one of Super Rugby’s fiercest rivalries.

The stories continue below…

What an assist! 😱

This cross-field kick from Ruben Love was on the money as he set up Bailyn Sullivan at the weekend 🎯#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/OrrClpIWJs

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 6, 2025

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan says his side is focused on fronting up for the challenge, regardless of last weekend’s 17-35 defeat to the Hurricanes.

“The Crusaders are a class team, have a formidable record at home, and look back to their best,” said McMillan.

“We’re really looking forward to locking horns. We got taught a lesson last week and we haven’t shied away from where our shortcomings were.

“The lads have trained well so we shall see if that manifests into a performance we can be proud of and is good enough to beat a tough Crusaders side.”

*Round 13’s action will kick off on Friday in Auckland as the Blues host the Fijian Drua, followed by a fierce rivalry between the Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

After the Crusaders and Chiefs clash, the Western Force will take on the Brumbies to conclude the weekend.

The Highlanders, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika enjoy the bye.

See below for Round 13’s teams and predictions!

Friday, May 9:

Fijian Drua v Blues
(Buckhurst Park, Suva – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Blues by five points.

Teams:

Fiji Drua: 15 Ponipate Loganimasi, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Vuate Karawalevu, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge (captain), 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Sailosi Vukalokalo, 20 Elia Canakiavata, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

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

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jeremy Markey, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Damon Murphy

Waratahs v Queensland Reds
(Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.35; 09.35 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Waratahs by four points.

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Henry O’Donnell, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Felix Kalapu, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Darby Lancaster.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filip Daugunu, 12 Dre Pakeho, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 John Bryant, 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 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Angus Blyth, 21 Joe Brial, 22 Kalani Thomas, 23 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday, May 10:

Crusaders v Chiefs
(Rugby League Park, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Crusaders by eight points.

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Gideon Wrampling.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Jackson Henshaw, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Glenn Newman

Western Force v Brumbies
(Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth – Kick-off: 17.35; 19.35 AEST; 09.35 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Brumbies by nine points.

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Mac Grealy, 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 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Nic White, 22 Max Burey, 23 Sio Tomkinson.

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

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: Graham Cooper

Additional sources: AAP & Super Rugby