Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific is filled with important games that'll have a massive bearing on the competition's ladder.
Finals come early for the NSW Waratahs as they travel to Fiji to face the Drua, while it's a similar scenario for the Western Force as they host the Queensland Reds.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs can stay in touch with the top with victory over the Highlanders, while the Blues and Hurricanes loom as the match of the round.
Rugby.com.au previews round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Siona Ahio, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalakai Foketi, Kyle Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Benét Kumeroa, George Dyer, Fiti Sa, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Daniel Rona, Isaac Hutchinson
- Xavier Roe and Josh Jacomb start in the halves, with Damian McKenzie moving to fullback.
- Lalakai Foketi starts at inside centre, with Quinn Tupaea rested.
- Josh Lord (concussion) is replaced by Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi in the second-row.
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), Taniela Tele'u, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson
- Taniela Tele’u is the lone change to the starting side, coming in at outside centre for the suspended Jona Nareki
- Veveni Lasaqa returns to the bench as the Highlanders opt for a 6-2 split.
- The Chiefs have won their last eight against the Highlanders, the longest winning run by either team in the history of this fixture.
- The Chiefs sit on 249 total wins, set to become the fourth team to reach 250 (Crusaders, ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes).
- The Highlanders have lost nine of their last 10 away games.
Kyren Taumoefolau v Caleb Tangitau
A real All Black shootout as two young guns go head-to-head.
Tangitau dragged the Highlanders to victory almost by himself, torching the Waratahs to keep their finals hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Taumoefolau has stepped up after a litany of injuries to outside backs, with the former Tongan international keen to make an impression.
Chiefs by 13
DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini
- Etonia Waqa starts at blindside flanker, with Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata making up the back-row,
- Peni Ravai shifts into loosehead prop, allowing Sameula Tawake to return via the bench.
- Manasa Mataele returns on the wing, partnering with co-captain Frank Lomani.
WARATAHS (1-15): Jack Barrett, Ioane Moananu, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Triston Reilly, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Oniti Finau, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Michael McDonald, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey
- Easts teammates Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen form a new-look halves partnership.
- Jack Barrett, Ioane Moananu and Clem Halaholo all come into the starting pack.
- Triston Reilly and Harry Potter start on the wings, with Sid Harvey named on the bench.
- Each of the last five matches between the two sides have been won by the home team, with the Drua winning both of their match-ups in Fiji.
- The Waratahs have lost seven of their last nine, not scoring more than 30 points in any of these games.
- The Drua have won four of their last five matches in Fiji, while the Waratahs are on a 15-game losing streak away from Australia.
Jack Bowen v Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
It’s a massive moment for Jack Bowen as the off-contract playmaker gets the chance to press his claims for a re-signing.
Bowen has had limited opportunities in sky blue but can go a long way to staking his claims to the number 10 jersey with a strong performance in one of the toughest places to play.
As for Armstrong-Ravula, his calmness and clutch kicking game will be vital towards keeping their finals hopes alive.
Drua by 6
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Malachi Wrampling, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Torian Barnes, Che Clark, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta
- Beauden Barrett returns to the starting side at flyhalf to face his old side.
- AJ Lam shifts to the wing, with Xavi Taele starting in the midfield.
- Dalton Papali’i (jaw) has been ruled out, replaced by Anton Segner.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Ereatara Enari, Ruben Love, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Siale Lauaki, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Jone Rova, Bailyn Sullivan
- Du’Plessis Kirifi (knee) is out, with Brad Shields taking his spot at blindside flanker.
- Jordie Barrett returns at inside centre and re-takes the captaincy.
- Kini Naholo starts on the wing for the first time in 2026 after his return last week from an ACL injury.
- The Hurricanes are aiming for consecutive wins against the Blues for the first time since 2019.
- The Blues have won their last five matches at Eden Park against the Hurricanes at Eden Park and eight of their last nine overall.
- The Hurricanes became the first team to score 50 or more points in five matches in a single season.
Warner Dearns v Patrick Tuipulotu
Two of the best locks in the competition go head-to-head, with the set-piece battle once again vital.
Dearns has been the signing of the year, with the Japanese skipper adapting perfectly on his return to NZ.
Tuipulotu hasn’t lost a step on his return from injury, looking to keep the Blues in the hunt for top spot.
Hurricanes by 5
FORCE (1-15): Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vailoni Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Max Burey, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa'agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
- Nathan Hastie and Max Burey are the new halves, with Henry Robertson (ACL) and Ben Donaldson (quad) out.
- Harry Johnson-Holmes and Misinale Epenisa start in the front-row, with Vailoini Ekuasi named at number eight despite back-to-back late withdrawals.
- Sef Fa’agase is set for his 100th, with Carlo Tizzano and Mac Grealy set for their 50ths.
REDS (1-15): George Blake, Josh Nasser, Massimo De Luttis, Hamish Muller, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Charlie Brosnan, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard
- Massimo De Lutiis plays his first game of the year, named in the front row.
- Fraser McReight, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto have all been rested, with Harry Wilson skippering the team.
- Hamish Muller and John Bryant both start, with Charlie Brosnan set for his debut via the bench.
- The Force are looking for back-to-back wins over the Reds for the first time since 2017.
- The Reds have won three of their last four games against Australian teams and four of their last six derbies on the road.
- The Force have won two of their last three matches against Australian teams, after losing six straight.
Carlo Tizzano v John Bryant
Tizzano will be itching to make a statement, even with Fraser McReight not making the trip west.
The Force's back-rower is getting back to his best after his injury, with the Reds needing to be on full guard.
Bryant has been killing it in Hospital Cup, but the step up to face Tizzano is significant.
Reds by 8.
