Round Seven of Super Rugby Pacific offers up some big match-ups as the field start to make their moves within the top six.
The match of the round looms on Saturday as the top ranked Hurricanes face an in-form Queensland Reds outfit eager to break their drought.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Before that, it's 'Tah Week' in the nation's capital as the NSW Waratahs travel down the Hume Highway to face the ACT Brumbies, whilst the Western Force host the Chiefs after their NZ tour ended.
The round starts in Auckland with Moana Pasifika taking on the Highlanders, while the Blues host the Fijian Drua on Saturday.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Seven of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae Ta’ufo’ou, Veikoso Poloniati, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Niko Jones, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Alefosio Aho, Ola Tauelangi, Siaosi Nginingini, Patrick Pellegrini, Tevita Ofa
- Prop Abraham Pole earns the start in the front-row alongside Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou.
- Forwards Veikoso Poloniati and Dominic Ropeti have also been elevated into the starting side.
- Tongan international Paula Latu is in line for his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Tomas Lavanini, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nic Shearer, Reesjan Pasitoa, Jona Nareki, Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Andrew Knewstubb, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c)
- Tomas Lavanini returns after his week off, slotting back into the second-row.
- Nic Shearer is set for his Super Rugby Pacific debut in the halves alongside Reesjan Pasitoa.
- Daniel Lienert‑Brown, Henry Bell, and Rohan Wingham all come onto the bench, with Timoci Tavatavanawai also named as a finisher, allowing Tanielu Tele’a to start.
- Moana Pasifika are coming off their maiden win over the Highlanders, having lost their last five against them.
- The away side has won the last three games between the two sides.
- Moana Pasifika have lost their last five Super Rugby games, while the Highlanders have lost their last seven away games.
Joel Lam v Nic Shearer
Two exciting scrumhalves going head-to-head as Lam and Shearer look to make a name for themselves in this contest.
Lam shone in defeat to the Crusaders, earning plenty of praise after taking his opportunity following the suspension of Augustine Pulu.
Meanwhile, Shearer has been thrust into the deep end with no Folau Fakatava after a consistent season in the NPC with Southland.
Highlanders by 8.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Darcy Breen, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
- Ollie Sapsford and David Feliuai return from injury and into the starting backline.
- Lachie Shaw replaces Nic Frost after Shaw missed last week due to illness.
- James Slipper is set to become the first player to play 100 games for two different clubs.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
- Andrew Kellaway slots onto the wing in place of Harry Potter (quad).
- Charlie Gamble returns from a hamstring complaint on the bench.
- He is joined by fellow new faces Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett and Triston Reilly.
- The ACT Brumbies have won their last eight games against the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium.
- Six of the last eight meetings between these two sides have been decided by eight points or fewer.
- The Brumbies have not led at home in their last three games, though they have won two of them.
Declan Meredith v Jack Debreczeni
It’s a case of master v apprentice as former Brumby Debreczeni takes on Meredith in the halves.
Meredith is rightfully earning plenty of buzz for his performances this year, with the pressure only rising in the rivalry match-up.
Meanwhile, Debreczeni will be very familiar with his opposition, especially Meredith, and will be tasked with rectifying the Waratahs’ second-half slumps.
Brumbies by 5
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Vernon Bason, Siale Lauaki, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Jone Rova
- Experienced prop Tyrel Lomax returns from an ankle injury and starts in the front-row.
- Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi has been elevated back into the starting back-row.
- Bailyn Sullivan moves onto the right wing, pushing Josh Moorby to fullback as a result of Callum Harkin’s concussion.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Treyvon Pritchard
- Captain Fraser McReight has been named after his week off, slotting into the back-row.
- Tom Lynagh is set for his first appearance of 2026 via the bench.
- Louis Werchon swaps with Kalani Thomas and starts in the halves, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips retaining the number ten jersey.
- The Reds last beat the Hurricanes in New Zealand in 1998 - an 11-game losing streak.
- The Hurricanes have won their last ten against the Reds, which is their largest winning streak against a current Super Rugby team (Melbourne Rebels - 12)
- The Hurricanes last lost to an Australian side at Hnry Stadium (FKA Sky Stadium) in 2015.
Warner Dearns v Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
If the Reds are to make history, they need Salakaia-Loto to set the tempo early with his physicality.
Salakaia-Loto is the spiritual leader of the Reds; when he plays well, the Reds often follow so it’s imperative he has an impactful shift in the forwards.
Dearns and the Hurricanes need to limit his impact if they are to cement their spot on top of the ladder.
Reds by 2
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry (c), Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Payton Spencer
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Che Clark, Jed Melvin, Finlay Christie, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
- Sam Darry captains the side with no Dalton Papali’i (back), allowing Torian Barnes to start.
- Taufa Funaki earns a start in the halves along with Beauden Barrett.
- Payton Spencer makes his debut start with no Zarn Sullivan (concussion), with Cole Forbes coming onto the wing.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Kemu Valetini, Ponipate Loganimasi, Iosefo Namoce, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Epeli Momo, Iliasia Droasese
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokolo, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Virimi Vakatawa
- Kemu Valetini returns for the Drua and starts at flyhalf.
- Iosefo Namoce gets his first ever start at inside centre and Epeli Momo starts on the right wing.
- Experienced hooker Mesulame Dolokoto is in line for his first appearance of 2026, returning from injury.
- The Blues have never lost to the Fijian Drua, scoring between 30 and 36 points in each of their five wins.
- The Blues have won six of their last seven games at Eden Park, holding their opponent to fewer than 20 points in each of those games.
- The Fijian Drua are aiming for consecutive wins against teams from New Zealand in Super Rugby for the first time since round 14, 2013.
AJ Lam v Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Lam just might be the form centre of Super Rugby Pacific, with the Blues midfield on fire in recent weeks.
Lam has four tries in his last four games and has been integral towards their purple patch of form.
Samusamuvodre and the Drua face a difficult task shutting him down, while the Nadi-bred centre will be looking to impart his own skills on the game.
Blues by 25
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, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Max Burey
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Hamish Stewart, Divad Palu
- Vaiolini Ekuasi has been cleared of injury and starts at number eight.
- The move sees Nick Champion de Crespigny shift to blindside flanker.
- Argentine hooker Leonel Oviedo, Tongan tighthead prop Misinale Epenisa and utility back Divad Palu all come onto the bench.
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tuapea, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Fiti Sa, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Brown, Kyren Taumoefolau
- Josh Jacomb has been named at flyhalf, with Damian McKenzie moving back to fullback.
- Leroy Carter starts in the midfield, with newly re-signed Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seutro on the wings.
- Fiti Sa is set to make his debut via the bench.
- The Chiefs are on an eight game winning streak against the Western Force, scoring an average of 41.6 points per game.
- The Force are undefeated against New Zealand teams at HBF Park in their last four games.
- The Chiefs last lost back-to-back games against Australian teams in 2014.
Max Burey v Damian McKenzie
McKenzie’s shift to fullback offers up an interesting dynamic to the Chiefs’ backline, moving him back to where he made his name.
The Chiefs need a response after their second half collapse last week, with McKenzie capable of bringing that spark.
As for Burey, he’s trying to make his own path as a fly-half-come-fullback, with his combination with Ben Donaldson and Kurtley Beale vital towards their chances.
Chiefs by 14
