Super Rugby Pacific, Round Six - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: Five rounds in, and the table is starting to take shape as Super Rugby Pacific continues to heat up.
Brumbies prop James Slipper is set to make history in his 203rd Super Rugby appearance, starting against the Chiefs in Canberra to break the record of all-time caps.
The 36-year-old veteran is also among the most capped international players.
He admitted that even he had been surprised by his longevity in the game.
“I probably didn’t see myself sticking around in rugby this long, let alone the Brumbies, but it’s probably due to the Brums that I’ve managed to keep playing for as long as I have,” he said.
“It’s a club that gets the best out of me.”
The round opens in Dunedin with the Highlanders hosting the Hurricanes, before Saturday sees the Fijian Drua face the Reds in Lautoka, Moana Pasifika take on the Crusaders in Auckland, and the Waratahs meet the Blues in Sydney.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph welcomed back co-captain Hugh Renton from long-term injury: “As our co-captain and most experienced loose forward, it’s great to have Hugh back playing Super Rugby.
*Article continues below…
Fresh tee shirt to celebrate James Slipper’s recording breaking 203rd @SuperRugby match 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bsbzAiDnuL
— ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) March 18, 2026
“He has worked extremely hard to come back from injury setbacks in recent seasons, and it demonstrates his character, professionalism, and real passion for the club.”
For the Hurricanes, Ruben Love makes his first start of the season at flyhalf, prompting a reshuffle in the backline. Coach Clark Laidlaw explained the bench split: “With the type of game we think it’s going to be, we’ve gone with a 6-2 split… we feel with a 6-2 split, we’ll have plenty of energy through the whole game.”
*Also read Dangerous tackle sees Super Rugby star banned for three matches
Reds coach Les Kiss has rested key Wallabies ahead of their Fiji trip.
In-form flyhalf Carter Gordon and captain Fraser McReight have been left out as part of their “regeneration”.
Under World Rugby management rules, as adhered to by Rugby Australia, some players are prevented from playing six weeks in succession.
As a result Wallabies trio Gordon, McReight, and Zane Nonggorr won’t travel for the match in Lautoka.
“It’s part of the process of having regeneration weeks for players,” Kiss said.
“There are a few little changes, but nothing significant.”
Moana Pasifika are without Augustine Pulu due to suspension, but welcome back Julian Savea, while the Crusaders hand Cooper Grant a debut at No.10.
Coach Rob Penney backed the youngster: “Cooper’s got an opportunity, and it’s wonderful for him to step up. He’s got a very confident demeanour… he’s surrounded by experience, and we’re confident he’ll have the right answers when the blowtorch comes on.”
*See all teams and predictions below!
Friday, March 20
Highlanders v Hurricanes
(Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 14.05 AWST; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Hurricanes by nine points
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Reesjan Pasitoa, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton, 7 Lucas Casey, 6 Sean Withy, 5 Te Kamaka Howden, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Tai Cribb, 20 Veveni Lasaqua, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Andrew Knewstubb, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Vernon Bason, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Hugo Plummer, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22 Ereatara Enari, 23 Bailyn Sullivan
Brumbies v Chiefs
(GIO Stadium, Canberra Kick-off: 19.35 AEST; 20.35 AEDT; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Brumbies by seven points
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Kye Oates, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 Hudson Creighton, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Darcy Breen, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Austin Anderson
Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Jared Profitt
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Lalakai Foketi
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
Saturday, March 21
Fijian Drua v Reds
(Churchill Park, Lautoka Kick-off: 15.35 FJT; 14.35 AEDT; 03.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Drua by five points
Drua: 15 Iliasia Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Sairusi Ravudi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Isoa Tuwai, 21 Motikiai Murray, 22 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Inia Tabuavoa
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 John Bryant, 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Nick Bloomfield, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Treyvon Pritchard
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
Moana Pasifika v Crusaders
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Kick-off: 19.05 NZDT; 06.05 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Crusaders by 11 points
Moana: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Latu, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Joel Lam, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Niko Jones, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Veikoso Poloniati, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Ofa
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan (captain), 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Cooper Grant, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Johnny Lee, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 George Bell, 1 Finlay Brewis
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Antonio Shalfoon, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Kurtis MacDonald
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Waratahs v Blues
(Allianz Stadium, Sydney Kick-off: 19.35 AEST; 20.35 AEDT; 09.35 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Blues by eight points
Waratahs: 15 Sid Harvey, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Triston Reilly, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 George Poolman
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Malachi Wrampling, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Sam Matenga, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Payton Spencer
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Damon Muprhy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
