Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific is filled with blockbusters as the finals implications grow.
The Queensland Reds will have a golden chance to make a push for a home final as they take on the Chiefs on Friday.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs are fighting for their own finals hopes as they travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders.
The round concludes in Canberra with the red-hot Western Force facing the ACT Brumbies, with both teams needing victory.
Rugby.com.au previews round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Cooper Grant, Kurtis Macdonald
- Dallas McLeod starts at outside centre with no Braydon Ennor (hamstring), while Rivez Reihana replaces Taha Kemara (knee).
- Sevu Reece has been cleared of injury and starts on the wing.
- Jamie Hannah starts in the second-row alongside Antonio Shalfoon.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Sam Matenga, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Malachi Wrampling, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Kade Banks, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele
- Dalton Papali’i, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Bradley Slater are all named to start in the pack.
- Stephen Perofeta retains his spot at flyhalf, with Beauden Barrett once again coming off the bench.
- Anton Segner is set for his 50th game, coming off the bench.
- The Blues are looking for multiple wins over the Crusaders in a season for just the second time in Super Rugby history, having only previously done it in 2003.
- The Crusaders have won 19 of their last 20 matches against the Blues as the home side.
- The Blues (3.75) and Crusaders (3.61) have scored more points per entry into the attacking 22m zone than any other teams in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Patrick Tuipulotu v Jamie Hannah
Tuipulotu has only added class to the Blues pack as they hunt for the minor premiership.
His leadership and power is a massive weapon for their set-piece, with the Crusaders bringing Hannah into the starting side as a response.
Without Scott Barrett, who is still on a non-playing sabbatical, the Crusaders will need Hannah to step up to the challenge to keep their imposing home record in tact against the Blues.
Blues by 5
REDS (1-15): George Blake, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard
- Lachie Anderson starts on the wing, overcoming a dislocated wrist.
- George Blake replaces Aidan Ross (toe) in the front-row.
- Carter Gordon makes his return from a knee injury on the bench.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Kyren Taumoefolau, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Fiti Sa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi
- Xavier Roe partners with Damian McKenzie in the halves, with Cortez Ratima on the bench.
- Kyren Taumoefolau comes back onto the wing, with Leroy Carter (hamstring).
- Tyrone Thompson earns the start in the front-row, named at hooker.
- The Chiefs are looking for consecutive regular season wins over the Reds for the first time since 2019
- The Reds have won two of their last three against the Chiefs in Australia, with victory giving them back-to-back home wins over the Chiefs for the first time since 2004.
- Both teams are in exceptional form; the Chiefs winning their last five by an average of 21.6 points while the Reds have won six of their last eight matches in Australia against NZ opposition.
Harry Wilson v Wallace Sititi
Energy galore from the number eights as the two athletic freaks will be looking to power their sides home.
The Wallabies skipper has lifted his game in the past weeks and the Reds have followed, opening up a host of new avenues with their attack with his freakish skills.
Meanwhile, Sititi has been firing on his return from injury, with his Super Point winner against the Hurricanes a sign of his class.
Chiefs by 3
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Lucas Casey, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nic Shearer, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris
- Caleb Tanigtau is the big inclusion, cleared of a concussion to start on the wing.
- Thomas Lavanini comes back into the starting side, pushing Oliver Haig to the bench.
- Young back-rower Lucas Casey has also been elevated to start at openside flanker.
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Jack Barrett, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Potter
- Miles Amatosero replaces Matt Philip (calf) in the second row, with Jake Gordon taking the captaincy.
- Jack Debreczeni starts at flyhalf, with Lawson Creighton pushed into inside centre.
- Isaac Kailea and Dan Botha are the two new props, with Tom Lambert (knee) out.
- The Waratahs have won three of their last four matches against the Highlanders, with the last three meetings between the two teams decided by two points or less.
- The Waratahs are looking for consecutive wins against the Highlanders for the first time since 2008.
- However, their 2022 win in Dunedin was their last in NZ, after which they lost 12 on the bounce.
Miles Amatosero v Tomás Lavanini
The Waratahs pack was dominated on the weekend, with Amatosero elevated to add some much needed grunt.
The lock needs to be the enforcer, taking the Waratahs over the gain-line if they are to be successful.
Lavanini gets a rare start, out to deliver after a disrupted season sees him start in just his fourth game of 2026.
Waratahs by 2
MOANA (1-15): Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Allan Craig, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, William Havili, Tuna Tuitama, Faletoi Peni, Solomon Alaimalo, Israel Leota, Glen Vaihu
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Falevia, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
- Samoan international Faletoi Peni earns his first start in the midfield.
- Veikoso Poloniati rejoins the starting lineup at lock, partnering with Allan Craig.
- Lolani Faleiva and Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing both come onto the bench.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Vernon Bason, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (c), Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Fehi Fieanganofo, Jone Rova, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo
- Mass changes with Ruben Love and Cam Roigard out with injury, leading to Ereatara Enari and Lucas Cashmore starting in the halves.
- Pouri Rakete-Stones and Vernon Bason both earn the starts in the front-row.
- Powerful winger Kini Naholo returns from an ACL injury on the wing.
- The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven against Moana Pasifika, scoring an average of 55.2 points in those wins.
- However, Moana Pasifika have won two of their three matches against the Hurricanes in Auckland.
- Moana Pasifika have not scored over 20 points in their last five games, and are currently on a 10-game losing streak.
Ereatara Enari v Augustine Pulu
A return home for Enari as the former Moana man faces his old side.
Enari needs to step up with Cam Roigard out for up to a month, and he needs a strong performance to cement his position ahead of some big matches.
It’ll be a tough match-up against Pulu, who's added much-needed experience to the Moana backline.
Hurricanes by 25
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Toby Macpherson, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Chris Mickelson, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Andy Muirhead
- Allan Alaalatoa returns from a concussion, starting in the front-row.
- Hudson Creighton and Ollie Sapsford both start in the backline.
- Chris Mickelson is set for his debut off the bench, set to cover back-row despite winning the John I Dent Player of the Year award as a hooker.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa'agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
- Harry Johnson-Holmes gets the start at tighthead prop, with Misinale Epenisa still going through HIA protocols.
- Vaioini Ekuasi returns after his late withdrawal last week, starting at number eight.
- Darcy Swain is set for his 100th Super Rugby game, while Dylan Pietsch plays in his 50th.
- The Brumbies have won four of their last five against the Western Force.
- However, the Force won their last match in Canberra, with victory making it back-to-back in the nation’s capital for the first time since 2011.
- The Brumbies are out to avoid a third straight loss at GIO Stadium, last happening in 2018.
Lachlan Shaw v Jeremy Williams
A battle of the lineout threats as Shaw and Williams look to give each other a taste of their own medicine.
Williams (12) and Shaw (eight) are in the top three for lineout steals, whilst sitting in the top seven for own ball won.
Shaw showed his ability to turn a game with four steals last week, but Williams will fancy his chances against a Brumbies lineout that struggled against the Hurricanes a fortnight ago.
Brumbies by 6
