Round Five of Super Rugby Pacific is filled with rivalry match-ups, adding further spice to a big weekend.
The Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs add to a century of history as they face off in Brisbane, whilst local rivals Crusaders and Highlanders battle for South Island supremacy.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
On Sunday, the Blues and Moana Pasifika engage in the battle of the 09, while the Fijian Drua play their first game in Ba against the ACT Brumbies.
Before that, the red-hot Hurricanes start the round against the Western Force in Napier, who are finishing their three-week New Zealand tour.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Five of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Devan Flanders, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Jone Rova, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Warner Dearns, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Ruben Love, Riley Higgins
- Ruben Love returns from injury for the first time in 2026 via the bench.
- Hawke’s Bay pair Pouri Rakete-Stones and Jacob Devery make their first starts of the season on their home ground.
- Brad Shields brings up 100 Super Rugby starts, named in the back-row.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Max Burey
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Lopeti Faifua, Nathan Hastie, Taj Annan, Hamish Stewart
- Kurtley Beale, Henry Robertson and Max Burey have been elevated into the starting backline.
- Will Harris replaces the injured Vaolini Ekuasi in the back-row.
- Taj Annan is in line for a potential club debut off the bench.
- The Hurricanes have never lost to the Western Force in New Zealand
- The Hurricanes have only lost once in their last 15 regular season matches against Australian teams.
- The Western Force have scored 30+ points in their last three matches, their longest streak in club history.
Kurtley Beale v Jordie Barrett
Two experienced playmakers going head-to-head as Beale gets a rare start at inside centre.
Beale turned the game for the Force last weekend off the bench and needs to add that same spark if they are to cause the upset.
For Barrett, he remains the key piece for the Hurricanes if they are to continue their unbeaten run against the Force.
Hurricanes by 12
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Joji Nasova, Iliasia Droasese
Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Iosefo Namoce
- Frank Lomani captains the side at halfback, partnering with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at flyhalf.
- Speedstar Ponipate Loganimasi returns to the side after overcoming injury, named in the wing.
- Sairusi Ravudi (newly promoted from Development) and Iosefo Namoce are set for their Drua debut off the bench.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Lington Ieli, Billy Pollard, Darcy Breen, Nick Frost, Toby Macpherson, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Kye Oates, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead (c)
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Lachie Shaw, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton
- Mass changes for the Brumbies, with Wallabies Nick Frost and Tane Edmed making their first starts of the year, with Corey Toole returning from injury.
- Lington Ieli and Darcy Breen are set for their first appearances of the year in the front-row.
- Fijian-heritage back-rower Rob Valetini brings up 100 Super Rugby games.
- This is the first ever Super Rugby game in Ba, with the new stadium opening last July.
- The ACT Brumbies have never been beaten by the Fijian Drua.
- The Drua have won four of their last six matches in Fiji.
Corey Toole v Ponipate Loganimasi
It’s a battle of the speedsters that is set to light up the new stadiums as two of the fastest in World Rugby go head-to-head.
Toole’s impact was missed last week after his late withdrawal from the Reds defeat, adding x-factor to a rotated Brumbies side.
Loganimasi has a similar effect on the Drua, with this game coming down to who can best utilise their strike weapons.
Drua by 2
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Dallas McLeod
- Johnny Lee is set for his Crusaders debut, starting at flanker.
- Experienced centre Bryadon Ennor starts in the midfield.
- Chay Fihaki is set to bring up his 50th Super Rugby game.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soana Viekna, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oli Haig, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasiota
- Los Pumas veteran Tomas Lavanini makes his Highlanders debut in the second row.
- Lucas Casey and Sean Withy make their return to the back-row.
- Tanielu Tele’a replaces Jonah Lowe at outside centre, who suffered a shoulder injury.
- The Crusaders have won nine of their last 10 matches against the Highlanders.
- The Highlanders have lost 10 of their last 11 away games in Super Rugby Pacific.
- Three of the last four Super Rugby games between the two sides have been decided by three points or less.
Codie Taylor v Jack Taylor
No relation between the two hookers, but what they have in common is their excellent ability to turn a game in the front row.
The veteran Crusaders hooker has struggled with a rib complaint to start the year but remains one of the best in his position in Super Rugby.
As for the Highlander, he’s been outstanding to start the season, showing off his dynamic ball-carrying, which looms as an ever-growing threat.
Crusaders by 5
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Treyvon Pritchard
- Seru Uru slots in the second-row, replacing Josh Canham.
- Tim Ryan returns after he was rested, replacing the injured Lachie Anderson.
- Richie Asiata brings up 50 Reds caps off the bench.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Max Jorgensen, James Hendren
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Harry Potter
- Triston Reilly is named at outside centre, with Sid Harvey coming onto the wing and James Hendren to fullback.
- Jack Debreczeni gets his debut start, partnering with Jake Gordon in the halves.
- Ethan Dobbins, Angus Blyth and Clem Halaholo return to the starting pack.
- The Waratahs are hunting for back-to-back wins over the Reds for the first time since 2019.
- The Reds have won their last five games against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Waratahs have won one of their last 12 games as the away team in Super Rugby.
Fraser McReight v Charlie Gamble
The Waratahs were burnt last weekend by turnovers, with the threat of McReight the biggest concern for them this weekend.
McReight is one of the best over the ball in the world, and if they allow him constant chances at ruck-time, it’ll leave them scrambling to start a red-hot backline.
Meanwhile, Gamble can put his own pressure on the Reds if he can get early success, having come into his own over the past 12 months.
Reds by 6
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Cole Forbes
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Laghlan McWhannell, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Pita Akhi, Zarn Sullivan
- AJ Lam is a welcome return to the centres, partnering with Xavi Taele.
- Cole Forbes gets the start at fullback, with Zarn Sullivan named on the bench.
- Former New Zealand U20s star Malachi Wrampling is set for his Blues debut off the bench.
MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Monu Moli, Lolani Faleiva, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Ngani Laumape, Tuna Tuitama
- Former All Black Atu Moli will make his Moana Pasifika debut in the front-row.
- Tito Tuipulotu, Lalomilo Lalomilo and William Havili all return from injury in the starting side.
- Patrick Pellegrini returns to the starting flyhalf position, while Glen Vaihu shifts to the left wing
- The Blues have won all four of their home games against Moana Pasifika.
- Moana Pasifika have conceded over 50+ points in four of their last six matches, an average of 8.2 tries per game.
- Moana Pasifika have won just two from 18 away games against a New Zealand team.
Beauden Barrett v Patrick Pellegrini
Barrett’s influence was felt instantly for the Blues last week, engineering a dominant win over the Crusaders.
It’s a tough challenge for Pellegrini to match one of the greatest to do it in the black jersey.
But Pellegrini is riding the confidence after his stellar season last year and will be hungry to turn around the visitors’ fortunes.
Blues by 25.
