The Easter weekend may be short on fixtures but there's plenty on the line during Round Eight of Super Rugby Pacific.
It starts with a farewell to Apollo Projects Stadium as the Crusaders host the Fijian Drua on Friday.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Suncorp Stadium on Saturday for Zac Lomax's potential debut as the Western Force take on the Queensland Reds, while the NSW Waratahs take on the Chiefs earlier in the day.
Rugby.com.au previews round eight of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan (c)
Replacements: George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Braydon Ennor
- Corey Kellow and Johnny Lee both come into the back-row.
- Dallas McLeod and Leicester Fainga’anuku link up in the centres with no David Havili (heel), leaving Will Jordan to skipper the side.
- Jack Sexton is in line for his debut off the bench.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila (c), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Iosefo Namoce, Virimi Vakatawa, Joji Nasova, Iliasia Droasese
Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Tuwai, Phillip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu
- Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula returns to the starting side as he switches with Kemu Valetini.
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa starts in place of the injured Frank Lomani, with Isoa Nasilasila captaining the team.
- Manasa Mataele and Virimi Vakatawa come into the starting backline
- The Crusaders and Fijian Drua have alternated wins in their last five Super Rugby Pacific meetings, with the Crusaders winning their last encounter.
- The Crusaders have won 99 games at Apollo Projects Stadium ahead of their final game at the ground.
- The Fijian Drua have lost their last 11 games in New Zealand
Will Jordan v Iliasia Droasese
Jordan takes on massive responsibility as skipper with no David Havili, out to end their tenure at Apollo Projects Stadium with victory.
The All Black is one of the most influential players in Super Rugby, and the Drua need to limit his opportunities to strike and turn a match.
Droasese’s impact is more nuanced but still plays a massive role in servicing their attack, needing a special performance to come away with the upset.
Crusaders by 14
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Liam Coobes-Fabling
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Brown, Daniel Sinkinson
- Damian McKenzie (concussion) is a massive out, with Liam Coombes-Fabling slotting in at fullback.
- Kyren Taumoefolau is elevated to the starting side, with Etene Nanai-Seturo ruled out with injury.
- Prop Ollie Norris starts for the first time in 2026, with partner Reuben O’Neill set for his 50th game.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Jamie Adamson, Jake Gordon, Jack Bowen, George Poolman
- Teddy Wilson earns his first start of the year, swapping with Jake Gordon.
- Charlie Gamle returns to the starting side after featuring last week off the bench.
- Triston Reilly partners with Joey Walton in the centres, with Walton moving to inside centre after Lawson Creighton’s shoulder injury.
- The NSW Waratahs have not scored more than 30+ points against the Chiefs in their last eight games, despite winning their last game 21-14.
- The Waratahs last were victorious in Hamilton in 2010.
- The Chiefs are on an eight game winning streak at home against Australian teams, winning nine of their last 11.
Liam Coombes-Fabling v Sid Harvey
The Waratahs had massive success last year with their aerial game, with Liam Coombes-Fabling set to command plenty of attention.
The 27-year-old has impressed in his minimal opportunities but goes against the red-hot Harvey.
Harvey is firming as Rookie of the Year, with his silky boot set to be tested in front of a rabid Hamilton crowd.
Chiefs by 9
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan
- Wallabies duo Carter Gordon and Josh Flook both return from injury into the starting side.
- 18-year-old Treyvon Pritchard gets his maiden start on the wing.
- Wallabies front-rowers Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr return via the bench.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), Jack Daly, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Darby Lancaster, Bayley Kuenzle, George Bridge, Dylan Pietsch, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa'agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Kurtley Beale, Zac Lomax
- League convert Zac Lomax is in line for his debut off the bench.
- Wallaby Dylan Pietsch returns from a foot injury on the wing.
- Former Munster flanker Jack Daly starts on his Super Rugby debut, with Carlo Tizzano dealing with a knee injury.
- The Queensland Reds can equal their longest winning streak over the Western Force with victory, which would make it four on the trot.
- The Reds are five points away from 10,000 points in Super Rugby, the only foundation club yet to reach this mark.
- The Western Force have conceded just 12.7 turnovers per game, the least of any other team.
Trevyon Pritchard v Dylan Pietsch
Pietsch is a forgotten man in a hotly contested Wallabies outside backs group after emerging as one of their best during the Lions tour.
His impact has been seriously missed by a Force team that has struggled to create in 2026, sitting last for line breaks (3.7) and defenders beaten (15.8).
As for Pritchard, he’s at the start of his career but has the talent to be something special in Australian Rugby, with his first start a massive sign of faith from the Reds regarding his talent.
Reds by 5
