Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific is filled with big match-ups, with several of the top teams looking for a statement.
It starts with the Hurricanes travelling to Dunedin to host the Hurricanes, while the ACT Brumbies host the Chiefs in Canberra.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
On Saturday, the Fijian Drua welcome the Queensland Reds to Fortress Lautoka, with Moana Pasifika hosting the dangerous Crusaders.
The round concludes in Sydney with the NSW Waratahs taking on the Blues.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Lucas Casey, Hugh Renton (co-c), Folau Fakatava, Reesjan Pasitoa, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Andrew Knewstubb, Tanielu Tele'a
- Former Western Force playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa gets his first start at flyhalf for the Highlanders.
- Co-captain Hugh Rention makes his first appearance in almost 12 months, taking the leadership alongside Timoci Tavatavanawai.
- Oliver Haig and Te Kamaka Howden form a brand-new lock partnership.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Vernon Bason, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ereatara Enari, Bailyn Sullivan
- Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua form a new-look front-row alongside Pasilio Tosi.
- Ruben Love comes into the starting side, pushing Callum Harkin to fullback.
- Brayden Iose starts at number eight, with Devan Flanders and Peter Lakai making up the back-row.
- The Hurricanes have won their last nine against the Highlanders, conceding an average of 17 points per game during this stretch.
- The Highlanders have lost nine of their last 10 Super Rugby derbies against New Zealand opposition.
- The Hurricanes have only lost one of their last 10 regular season games.
Jordie Barrett v Timoci Tavatavanawai
The inside centre match-up between Barrett and Tavatavanawai will have significant All Black implications as two of the best go head-to-head.
Barrett has been the standard bearer and has not missed a beat on his return from Leinster.
But Tavatavanawai is top of the Player of the Year voting for the reason, with the Highlanders wrecking ball dominating opposition.
Hurricanes by 13
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Darcy Breen, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, Hudson Creighton, Kadin Pritchard, Kye Oates, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Austin Anderson
- James Slipper breaks the record for most Super Rugby caps, going past Wyatt Crockett’s record with his 203rd game.
- Charlie Cale and Corey Toole return after missing last week’s defeat in Fiji.
- Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith partner in the halves.
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisomi Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupara, Daniel Rona, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi
- Skipper Luke Jacobson returns from a hip complaint to line up at number eight.
- Former Brumby Jahrome Brown suits up at openside flanker to face his old side.
- Liam Coombes-Fabling comes back into the side at fullback.
- The Chiefs have won their last five against the Brumbies by an average of 18.4 points.
- The Brumbies have won eight of their last 10 home games against NZ opposition.
- The Brumbies are looking to avoid three straight losses for the first time since 2022.
Ryan Lonergan v Cortez Ratima
Lonergan is in red-hot form at the moment, providing the spark for the Brumbies attack.
His impact off the bench was massive last week but the hosts need this for 80 minutes if they are to take down the Chiefs.
Ratima adds a similar dynamic to the Chiefs, having helped them to victory against the Blues with the last minute winner.
Brumbies by 2
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Joji Nasova, Iliasia Droasese
Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Motikiai Murray, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavoa
- Openside flanker Kitione Salawa earns a starting role after his elevation from the bench.
- Hooker Zuriel Togiatama returns to the starting line-up after his late withdrawal.
- Centre Inia Tabuavoa is the new man on the bench.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Kalani Thomas, 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, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard
- Fraser McReight, Carter Gordon and Zane Nonggorr have been rested, allowing starts for John Bryant, Nick Bloomfield and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
- Hunter Paisami returns from injury at inside centre, pushing Isaac Henry to outside.
- Fijian international Ben Volavola is in line for his Super Rugby debut via the bench.
- The Queensland Reds have never won in Fiji against the Fijian Drua.
- The Drua are looking for three straight wins for the first time in their history.
- Meanwhile, the Reds are looking for four straight wins for the first time since 2022.
Etonia Waqa v Harry Wilson
Two athletic, rangy back-rowers who can impact a game in all facets.
Waqa has been an energiser bunny for the Drua, often the man to finish off spectacular tries in the corner.
Wilson affects the game in similar ways, with this game coming down to who can influence early and often.
Drua by 4
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Niko Jones, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, William Havili
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Ofa
- Julian Savea starts at inside centre for the first time in 2026.
- Niko Jones earns a start in the back-row, joined by Joel Lam after Augustine Pulu’s suspension.
- Tevita Latu shifts to the wing, with Tevita Ofa named on the bench.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Cooper Grant, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan (c)
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Antonio Shalfoon, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Kurtis Macdonald
- Cooper Grant will make his debut for the Crusaders at flyhalf.
- Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor partner in the centers after David Havili’s heal injury.
- Kurtis Macdonald is set for his debut off the bench.
- Moana Pasifika have lost their last five games against NZ opposition by an average of 48 points.
- The Crusaders have lost two of their last three away games in Super Rugby Pacific after winning six straight prior.
- Moana Pasifika have won more scrums (33) than any other team, yet the Crusaders have scored more tries (eight) from a scrum than any other team, twice as many as Moana in second.
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa v Christian Lio-Willie
Tupou Ta’eiloa has been amazing for Moana Pasifika, almost single-handedly leading their pack in certain matches.
He’ll need to produce a similar showing against Lio-Willie, who’s been a powerful force for the visitors.
Crusaders by 22
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, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Harry Potter, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, George Poolman
- Sid Harvey starts at fullback for James Hendren (wrist), with Harry Potter moving onto the wing.
- Miles Amatosero swaps with Angus Blyth in the second-row.
- George Poolman has been added to the bench.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Malachi Wrampling, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Payton Spencer
- Malachi Wrampling makes his starting debut for the Blues at number eight.
- Veteran Pita Akhi returns to the starting side in the centres.
- Sam Matenga and Bradley Slater both come into the starting front-row.
- The NSW Waratahs last defeated the Blues in 2015, a 23-11 win at the old Sydney Football Stadium.
- The Waratahs have won just three of their last nine games against NZ opposition at Allianz Stadium.
- The Blues have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games away from Eden Park, losing 30-27 to the Brumbies in their last start.
Tom Lambert v Ofa Tu’ungafasi
The way to victory for the Waratahs is via their pack and their scrum.
Lambert has been great to start the season, pushing his case for a Wallabies call-up.
Tu’ungafasi remains one of the benchmarks, with a statement showing against him big for Lambert and the Waratahs’ chances of an upset.
Blues by 8
