Super Rugby Pacific, Round Nine - Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: The latest round of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season will feature some interesting match-ups.

It begins in Wellington as the Hurricanes face the red-hot Crusaders, followed by the leaders Chiefs travelling to Sydney to take on the Waratahs.

Saturday’s triple header begins with an Auckland derby between the Blues and Moana Pasifika, followed by a must-win game for the Highlanders and Fijian Drua in Dunedin.

The round concludes with the latest chapter in the Queensland Reds-Brumbies rivalry in Brisbane, with the Western Force on the bye.

After a couple of weeks off, David Havili is back to lead the Crusaders against the Hurricanes in the capital.

The story continues below…

Hot hands Hurricanes 🔥#SuperRugbyPacific #BLUvHUR pic.twitter.com/cknAQYZ0VC

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 5, 2025

“We know he’s world-class in his leadership and is without a doubt influencing the team greatly and having his maturity, calmness and playing ability out in the midfield is going to strengthen us significantly,” said Crusaders head coach Rob Penney.

Sevu Reece is back on the left wing after playing at centre in Fiji, and instead Levi Aumua will take his place in the No.13 jersey. Chay Fihaki will support Reece on the right wing.

Penney did admit there was some temptation to revert back to Sevu Reece at centre.

“Sevu did a good job at centre, we were rapt with the way he went but we’ve gone with the tried-and-true combo of Dave and Levi.”

Meanwhile, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has backed the same players who came up just short of a win in Auckland against the Blues in Round Eight.

“We were disappointed with certain aspects of our game against the Blues, but we’ve picked another consistent team because, at this point in the season, we want to give this team a real opportunity to succeed,” the coach said.

“It’s a big game at home. We know the Crusaders have been playing well.

“They are a team full of All Blacks and international rugby players.

“We’re really excited by the challenge, and we’ll need to play well to match them. Then we head to Australia for a couple of weeks.

“So, we’re looking forward to playing at home. It’ll be an exciting evening planned for fans and we can’t wait to see the bright lights and the fireworks.”

See below for Round Nine’s teams and predictions!

Super Rugby Pacific

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Chiefs

7

6

1

0

26

2

Crusaders

7

5

2

0

24

3

Reds

7

5

2

0

23

4

Force

8

4

4

0

20

5

Brumbies

7

4

3

0

19

6

Waratahs

7

4

3

0

17

7

Hurricanes

7

3

4

0

15

8

Moana Pasifika

7

3

4

0

15

9

Highlanders

7

2

5

0

12

10

Blues

7

2

5

0

11

11

Fijian Drua

7

1

6

0

7

Friday, April 11:

Hurricanes v Crusaders
(Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

24

26

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

40%

Team Form

Last 5 Games

24 - 31

19 - 18

57 - 12

18 - 20

40 - 31

24 - 31

14 - 31

29 - 45

19 - 42

55 - 33

2

Wins

4

2

Streak

2

22

Tries Scored

30

30

Points Difference

53

4/5

First Try

2/5

3/5

First Points

1/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

Prediction

@rugby365com: Crusaders by four points.

Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Ngatungane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Riley Hohepa, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua (co-captain), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacement: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Callum Harkin, 23 Fatafehi Fineanganofo.

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Antonio Shalfoon, 20 Tom Christie, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Macca Springer.

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Todd Petrie, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman

Waratahs v Chiefs
(Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.35; 21.35 NZST; 09.35 GMT)

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

17

38

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Team Form

Last 5 Games

21 - 14

45 - 28

57 - 12

28 - 23

35 - 15

21 - 14

27 - 15

35 - 50

32 - 31

28 - 24

2

Wins

3

1

Streak

1

15

Tries Scored

20

-70

Points Difference

17

5/5

First Try

4/5

4/5

First Points

4/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

Prediction

@rugby365com: Chiefs by two points.

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair (captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Henry O’Donnell.

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

Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Stu Curran
TMO: James Leckie

Saturday, April 12:

Blues v Moana Pasifika
(Eden Park, Auckland – Kick-off: 16.35; 04.35 GMT)

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

39

18

First try wins

75%

Home team wins

50%

Team Form

Last 5 Games

36 - 17

19 - 18

19 - 42

32 - 31

20 - 21

36 - 17

45 - 28

29 - 45

35 - 50

40 - 31

2

Wins

3

2

Streak

1

18

Tries Scored

27

-5

Points Difference

8

3/5

First Try

1/5

4/5

First Points

1/5

2/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

Prediction

@rugby365com: Blues by five points.

Teams:

Blues: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 PJ Sheck, 19 Cam Christie, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Stephen Perofeta.

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Pepesana Patafilo, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Abraham Pole.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 James Lay, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Fine Inisi.

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly

Highlanders v Fijian Drua
(Otago Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)

Head-to-Head

Last 3 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

41

17

First try wins

33%

Home team wins

67%

Team Form

Last 5 Games

43 - 20

29 - 20

34 - 27

23 - 29

18 - 20

43 - 20

14 - 31

52 - 15

38 - 21

28 - 24

1

Wins

1

1

Streak

4

17

Tries Scored

14

-1

Points Difference

-90

2/5

First Try

0/5

2/5

First Points

0/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

0/5

Prediction

@rugby365com: Highlanders by 14 points.

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Will Stodart, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Henry Bell, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Tai Cribb, 20 Nikora Broughton, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.

Fiji Drua: 15 Caleb Muntz, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi (co-captain), 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (co-captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Isikeli Rabitu, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan

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

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

19

24

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

60%

Team Form

Last 5 Games

26 - 39

27 - 15

28 - 24

23 - 29

35 - 15

26 - 39

34 - 27

28 - 23

38 - 21

20 - 21

3

Wins

4

2

Streak

2

21

Tries Scored

22

5

Points Difference

33

3/5

First Try

1/5

3/5

First Points

3/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

2/5

Prediction

@rugby365com: Reds by four points.

Teams:

Queensland Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 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 Matt Feassler, 1 Sef Fa’agase.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asaita, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Jeffery Toomana-Allen, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 John Bryant, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Jock Campbell.

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 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Damon Murphy
TMO: Graham Cooper