Round 12 of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific offers up a host of crucial games with finals implications.
It starts with the Blues and Western Force on Friday, with both teams needing a win to keep in touch with the top six.
Catch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Queensland Reds face a tough away trip to Suva to face the Fijian Drua, with the NSW Waratahs out to complete their sweep over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
In other matches, the Chiefs and Hurricanes will battle it out in what shapes to an epic whilst the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika conclude the round in a rare Sunday game.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action from the weekend presented by Bet365
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Stephen Perofeta
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Corey Evans
- Dalton Papali’i returns at openside flanker after recovering from an ankle injury.
- Laghlan McWhannell comes into the second row, partnering with captain Patrick Tuipulotu.
- Taufa Funaki and Beauden Barrett form a brand new halves partnership, with Xavi Taele in the centres.
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale
Replacements: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman
- Kurtley Beale makes a long-awaited return from injury at fullback.
- Mac Grealy moves to wing, with Bayley Kuenzle shifting to the centres.
- Albert Alcock will make his debut from the bench.
- The Blues are undefeated in their last 12 Super Rugby Pacific games against Western Force, last losing in 2008
- They have won their last seven straight home games against the Force, conceding an average of just 15.1 points per game.
- The Western Force have lost 22 of their last 23 Super Rugby Pacific games in New Zealand
Stephen Perofeta v Kurtley Beale
Both fullbacks find themselves in the same situation, trying to inspire their side’s finals hopes whilst maintaining their own rep footy ambitions.
Beale has an important month of Rugby coming up as he pushes his case for rep honours throughout the Lions tour after an Achilles injury ended his Wallabies comeback in 2024
Perofeta finds himself in a similar situation after an injury affected 2025 saw the All Black start just once this season, needing a big finish to the year to retain his spot in the squad.
Blues by 15
DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge (c), Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu
- Vuate Karawalevu starts at outside centre, which headlines a major backline shift.
- This includes Kemu Valetini playing at flyhalf, moving Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to fullback.
- Experienced prop Mesake Doge starts the match as captain.
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Max Craig, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Heremaia Murray
- Angus Blyth and Ryan Smith will start in the second row
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at flyhalf with Tom Lynagh to be used from the bench.
- Replacement hooker Max Craig will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.
- The Fijian Drua have won their last two games against the Queensland Reds after losing their first two.
- The home team has won all four meetings between the Fijian Drua and Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Pacific.
- Fijian Drua have scored more than seven points in the first half of only one of their last seven Super Rugby Pacific games.
Kemu Valetini v Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
It’s a battle of the new playmakers that will decide this game in what could be testing conditions.
Valetini has found himself used throughout the backline but takes on more responsibility with Isiaah Armstrong-Ravula at the back.
For McLaughlin-Phillips, it’s a rare chance to start and show his potential, with Tom Lynagh slowly locking down the ten jersey in Queensland.
Reds by 3
HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan
- Brayden Iose will start at flanker in his 50th game for the Hurricanes.
- Tevita Mafileo and Asafo Aumua return to the side after missing the win over the Brumbies.
- Isaia Walker-Leawere starts in the second row alongside Caleb Delany.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Gideon Wrampling
- Front-rowers Ollie Norris and Bradley Slater have been named to start.
- Daniel Rona has been named at centre in place of Anton Lienert-Brown, who suffered a fractured collarbone.
- Leroy Carter returns to the left wing after recovering from a foot injury.
- The Hurricanes have won their last two regular season games against the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific.
- The Chiefs have won four of their last five Super Rugby Pacific games against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium, including three wins after trailing at half-time.
- The Hurricanes have picked up two wins and one draw from their six games when they’ve trailed at half-time on the day this season, with no other team earning more comeback wins this campaign.
Kini Naholo v Leroy Carter
Naholo almost single-handedly won the Hurricanes the game against the ACT Brumbies with his brute strength.
When the winger is on, he is unstoppable and it’s up to Carter to limit his space.
The Sevens convert has been excellent for the Chiefs but faces a tough task on his return from injury.
Chiefs by 7
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
- Rory Scott swaps with Luke Reimer at openside flanker.
- Lington Ieli comes onto the bench.
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (co-c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell
- Jake Gordon has been cleared from injury and retakes the captaincy.
- Angus Bell, Rob Leota and Taniela Tupou are back after their rest.
- Mahe Vailanu has been named on the bench following his broken arm.
- The NSW Waratahs are aiming for back-to-back wins against the Brumbies for the first time since Round 12, 2015.
- The ACT Brumbies have won their last seven straight Super Rugby Pacific games against the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium, including scoring 40+ points in four of their last six games against them at the venue.
- The ACT Brumbies have lost two of their four games at GIO Stadium this Super Rugby Pacific season after losing only one of their previous 17 games at the venue.
Ryan Lonergan v Jake Gordon
Lonergan has the chance for a major statement against the Wallabies incumbent.
The Brumbies scrumhalf has been quietly impressing in Canberra and has a Test debut firmly on his mind.
Meanwhile, Gordon’s leadership and class have been missed at the Waratahs despite the emergence of Teddy Wilson and they need his calm head to stop their form slide.
Brumbies by 8
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Winghan, Mitch Dunshea, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Jake Te Hiwi
- Co-captain Hugh Renton returns to the back row at number eight.
- Lock Oliver Haig has been promoted from the bench and will partner with Fabian Holland.
- Rohan Wingham makes his first appearance in the game day squad for the season replacing the injured Sosefo Kautai.
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Tomasi Maka, Monu Moli, Pone Fa'amausili, Ofa Tauatevalu, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Patrick Pellegrini
- Pone Fa’amausili will get a chance to make his long-awaited debut for Moana Pasifika off the bench.
- Ofa Tauatevalu will also get his opportunity to make his Super Rugby Pacific and Moana Pasifika debut off the bench.
- In further changes, Chris Apoua earns a start at tight-head prop, with Kyren Taumoefolau returning on the wing.
- The Highlanders have won all five of their Super Rugby Pacific games against Moana Pasifika.
- On top of this, the Highlanders have scored 35+ points and won both of their two games against Moana Pasifika at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
- Each of Moana Pasifika’s last six Super Rugby Pacific games have been decided by a margin of 15 points or more on the day, with Moana Pasifika splitting these games evenly.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen v Lalomilo Lalamilo
The midfield battle will be huge towards deciding this game as last week’s proved for Moana Pasifika.
Lalamilo’s power game was unstoppable against the Fijian Drua and he’ll be out to replicate his efforts against the Highlanders.
Umaga-Jensen has found a home at outside centre and needs a big game to help the Highlanders get back in finals contention.
Highlanders by 11
