Super Rugby Pacific, Round 16 - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: Try-scoring trump Charlie Cale returns at No.8 in a huge boost to the Brumbies’ prospects of a vital Super Rugby Pacific top-four finish.
The Brumbies are chasing a bonus-point victory over Moana Pasifika in Canberra on Saturday that could even secure a top-three finish and a home Final in the national capital.
Cale rejoins dual John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini and Rory Scott in the back row after enjoying an electric start to the season, scoring nine tries in seven matches before succumbing to a shoulder injury.
Allan Alaalatoa will resume the Brumbies captaincy, leading a forward pack that includes James Slipper and Billy Pollard in the front row and locks Lachlan Shaw and Cadeyrn Neville.
In the backline, Andy Muirhead has been named on the wing following a strong 2026 campaign across multiple positions.
The Brumbies need a bonus-point win to keep alive their top-three hopes.
“We’ve certainly got to focus on trying to win this weekend. We’ve picked a team that reflects that,” coach Stephen Larkham said on Wednesday.
“We’re not resting players. We’ve had a bye two weeks ago. All the players are nice and fresh.
“We had a good win over the Waratahs, and there was a lot of pressure going into that game.
“We knew that the result determined both teams’ future in the competition and we’re through, and there’s a bit of relief out of that.”
The Brumbies need the Crusaders to lose to the table-topping Hurricanes to snatch third or at least fourth spot.
The winners of next week’s three quarterfinals, plus the highest-ranked losers, will advance to the semifinals.
The sixth-placed Queensland Reds – Australia’s only other finals hopefuls – host the Fijian Drua in Brisbane on Friday, also trying to climb the ladder as high as possible.
The out-of-contention Western Force and NSW Waratahs clash in Perth on Saturday night, with pride and potential Wallabies spots on the line.
Superstar centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and fellow Wallabies Andrew Kellaway, Jake Gordon and Pete Samu all return from injury in a too-little-too-late scenario for the Waratahs.
“We want to finish the season well and make sure that we’ve got momentum at the back end of this year,” coach Dan McKellar said.
“It’s incredibly disappointing not to be playing finals. The reality is we’ve had our chances and haven’t taken them, so I don’t think there will be any lack of motivation.”
Flyhalf Ben Donaldson is back for the Force in one last chance to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt before the July Tests.
*Meanwhile, the Crusaders have named a formidable team as they prepare to take on the Hurricanes at One New Zealand Stadium in what will be Sevu Reece’s 100th game.
Reece will bring up the milestone as the Crusaders attempt to leapfrog the Blues in third place to secure a home play-off, which, if they succeed, will be against the Blues.
“Honestly, I just can’t find the words for it,” Reece says.
“This whole week I’ve been looking back to that Fijian kid who first came down to Christchurch just to train as injury cover. Getting the chance to play one game was a blessing in itself, and now getting to do it 100 times is just amazing.”
Despite captain Scott Barrett being unable to return to action and star fullback Will Jordan being put on ice for the season, the Crusaders have named as strong a starting team as possible, with a special night in the making for midfielder Cooper Roberts.
The Tasman centre has been named in the No.23 jersey for a potential debut for the club. The ex-New Zealand U20 rep was a starter for the team that came runners-up at the World U20 Championship in 2025.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Roberts said.
“I was injured for most of the season, so to get this opportunity in the last round, under the roof, I’m pretty stoked and pretty grateful. I’ve never played in front of that many people before, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”
Elsewhere, the Crusaders will have a new openside with Leicester Fainga’anuku not named in the gameday 23.
Ethan Blackadder returns to the No.7 jersey, alongside Dom Gardiner at 6 and Christian Lio-Willie at No.8 in the back row.
The Hurricanes have made sweeping changes to their team, but have named All Blacks Tyrel Lomax and Cam Roigard to return from injury in the starting side.
See below for Round 16’s teams and predictions!
Friday, May 29:
Crusaders v Hurricanes
(One NZ Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Crusaders by seven points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Liam Jack, 20 Johnny Lee, 21 Kyle Preson, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Cooper Roberts.
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Josh Timu, 12 Jone Rova, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Callum Harkin, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Arese Poliko, 7 Cooper Flanders, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Hugo Plummer, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Tom Allen, 20 Matolu Petaia, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Bailyn Sullivan.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Queensland Reds v Fijian Drua
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19:35; 21.35 FJO; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Reds by 12 points.
Teams:
Reds: 15 Treyvon Pritchard, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Vaiuta Latu, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Fijian Drua: 15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Issak Fines Leleiwasa, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Vilive Miramira, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (captain), 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Meli Tuni.
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Joseva Tamani, 20 Etonia Waqa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Simione Kuruvoli, 23 Virimi Vakatawa.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glen Newman
Saturday, May 30:
Brumbies v Moana Pasifika
(GIO Stadium, Canberra – Kick-off: 14.35; 16.35 NZST; 04.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Brumbies by 15 points.
Teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Israel Leota, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Faletoi Peni, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 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 Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Tevita Latu, 23 Tuna Tuitama.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 4 Lachlan Shaw, 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 Hudson Creighton.
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
Chiefs v Blues
(FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Chiefs by two points.
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Daniel Sinkinson, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Reon Paul, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Tyrone Thompson, 1 Jared Proffit.
Replacement: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Benét Kumeroa, 18 Keran van Staden, 19 Fiti Sa, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Lalakai Foketi.
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 AJ Lam, 13 Xavi Taele, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Malachi Wrampling, 7 Anton Segner (captain), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Renata Marcel, 2 James Mullan, 1 Mason Tupaea.
Replacements: 16 Eli Oudenryn, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Codemeru Vai.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Western Force v Waratahs
(HBF Park, Perth – Kick-off: 17.35; 19.35 AEST; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Force by four points.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Zac Lomax, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Vailoni Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 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.
Waratahs: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 Jack Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Oniti Finau, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Clem Halaholo, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Triston Reilly.
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Ollie Kellett
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