Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific offers up some massive match-ups ahead of a big weekend of action.
A Grand Final rematch between the Chiefs and Crusaders headlines the round, set to be followed by the ACT Brumbies and Blues.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The Queensland Reds welcome back a host of stars against the Highlanders, while the Western Force need victory against Moana Pasifika to stabilise their season.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365
MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Ofa, Glen Vaihu
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleiva, Ola Tauelangi, Tupou Afungia, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
- Coach Tana Umaga has recalled the majority of the squad that defeated the Fijian Drua in Lautoka a fortnight ago,
- Tevita Latu (utility back) and Tupou Afungia (flanker) and are set to make their Super Rugby Pacific debuts off the bench.
- Glen Vaihu makes his first start at fullback after William Havili was ruled out with a back injury.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Agustin Moyano, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
- Nic Dolly makes his first appearance of the year after a long-term knee injury suffered in July.
- Darcy Lancaster debuts for the Force on the wing, making the switch from the NSW Waratahs.
- Argentinian international Agustin Moyano is in line for his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
- Two of the four games between the two clubs have been decided by a margin of three points or fewer, with the Western Force winning three of their four matches.
- Moana Pasifika have won three of their last four games against Australian teams.
- The Western Force last won in New Zealand in 2022, a 48-28 win over Moana Pasifika, the largest margin in the history of this fixture.
Miracle Faiilagi v Jeremy Williams
Faiilagi has taken over the mantle of being the heart and soul of Moana after the departure of Ardie Savea.
Moana Pasifika’s fate is often dictated by how the inspirational flanker performs, with Williams and the Force wise to shut him down.
The Force skipper knows they need to start building wins to get their finals campaign back on track.
Force by 3
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
- Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson returns from a knee injury and starts at number eight.
- Flyhalf Carter Gordon is set for his Queensland debut after missing the opening round defeat.
- Wallabies Josh Nasser, Kalani Thomas and Filipo Daugunu have all been added to the bench.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a
- Second-rower Oliver Haig rotates with Will Stodart shifting to the bench.
- Adam Lennox starts for the first time this year, swapping with Folau Fakatava.
- Daniel Lienert-Brown and Soane Vikena have both been added to the bench.
- The Queensland Reds have won their last two games against the Highlanders after losing the six prior.
- The team trailing at half-time has won three of the last four games between the two sides.
- The Reds have won seven of their last nine home games against the Highlanders.
Carter Gordon v Cameron Millar
All eyes are on Gordon as the former Rebel makes his debut in the maroon.
Gordon is a mercurial talent who was rushed back into the Wallabies before injury ended his campaign. The former Rebels’ attacking flair will be integral to sparking the Reds’ attack, which struggled against the Waratahs.
It’s a similar story for Millar, with the Highlanders falling off and missing some key conversions with their sharp-shooter on the bench, seven days on from the 23-year-old proving the match-winner against the Crusaders.
Reds by 8
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, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Joji Nasova, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou
- Sevens star Joji Nasova is set for his debut off the bench in a new wing pairing with Epeli Momo
- Mesake Vocevoce and Etonia Waqa come into the starting pack, with Temo Mayanavanua expected to be out for six weeks.
- Prop Emosi Tuqiri has been added to the bench, shifting the split to 6-2.
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (c), Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Ngane Punivai
- Cam Roigard has been elevated to the starting side at scrumhalf.
- Callum Harkin shifts to flyhalf after the potential season-ending injury to Brett Cameron.
- It leaves Lucas Cashmore in line for his debut via the bench.
- The Hurricanes are one of the few teams to taste success in Fiji, winning their last match-up 38-13.
- The Drua have won 13 of their last 18 in Fiji, out to avoid back-to-back losses at home for the first time since 2022.
- The Hurricanes have won their last six regular-season games, yet have won only two of their last five matches overall away from New Zealand.
Iliasa Droasese v Josh Moorby
Moorby’s return to Super Rugby last weekend showed why the Drua must be on full alert for the former Montpellier flyer.
The outside back was damaging against Moana Pasifika and his shift to fullback only adds to the influence over this contest.
Droasese needs to limit his space while finding a way to unleash their own powerful outside backs.
Hurricanes by 10
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Samipeni Finau, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi
- All Blacks duo Simon Parker and Emoni Narawa have been elevated into the starting side.
- Wallace Sititi returns from injury, named on the bench alongside potential debutant Lalakai Foketi.
- Xavier Roe will make his 50th Super Rugby Pacific appearance.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, James White, Dallas McLeod
- Leicester Fainga’anuku once again starts at outside centre, with Dallas McLeod taking his spot on the bench.
- Tamaiti Williams makes a timely return, starting in the front-row.
- Codie Taylor (ribs) is out, with Manumaua Letiu named on the bench.
- The Chiefs have won five of their last six regular-season games against the Crusaders; however, the Crusaders hold bragging rights after their victory in the 2025 Final.
- No team has more wins over the Crusaders (22) or has a higher win percentage than the Chiefs (42%), with no other side’s win percentage eclipsing a third.
- Only once has a reigning champion started their season with more than two straight losses (the Crusaders in 2024).
Quinn Tupaea v Leicester Fainga’anuku
Both centres were damaging last week and look to be the key x-factor towards deciding this game.
Tupaea sparked the Chiefs with a special quick tap and offload that proved the difference, stepping up with no Damian McKenzie.
For Fainga’anuku, he hasn’t missed a beat since his return to Super Rugby and his combination with David Havili will be vital towards turning around their season.
Chiefs by 5
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, 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
- For the third week in a row the Brumbies have named an unchanged 23.
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
- Kurt Eklund swaps with Bradley Slater, starting at hooker.
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi shifts to loosehead prop, with Sam Matenga coming onto the bench.
- All Blacks lock Sam Darry returns from a concussion and starts.
- The Brumbies are looking for back-to-back wins over the Blues for the first time since 2014.
- Four of the last six games between the two sides have been decided by five points or fewer.
- The Brumbies can become the third time (Bulls 2009-10, Lions 2017) to score 50+ points in three straight games.
Charlie Cale v Hoskins Sotutu
Cale has started the year on fire, emerging as an early front-runner for MVP.
The Blues need to shut him down and get their own barnstorming number eight involved early and often.
Sotutu was the key lynchpin behind the 2024 title run and needs to recapture this form if they are to cause the upset in Canberra.
Brumbies by 5
