The Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals are here, with spots in the decider on the line.
It comes as Super Rugby Women's kicks further into gear as Round Two gets underway.
The Super Rugby Pacific semis kick off with a rematch of the 2025 Final as the Chiefs host the Crusaders, whilst the Hurricanes take on the Blues in Wellington.
In Super Rugby W, the Western Force open their campaign against the Fijiana Drua in Lautoka, with the ACT Brumbies hosting the NSW Waratahs in Canberra.
Rugby.com.au previews the Semi Finals of Super Rugby Pacific and Round Two of Super Rugby Women's, presented by Bet365.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter
- Lalakai Foketi starts at inside centre, with Kyle Brown ruled out with a concussion.
- Simon Parker starts at number eight, with Samipeni Finau in at blindside flanker for Wallace Sititi.
- Damian McKenzie brings up 150 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, George Bower, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
- Fletcher Newell returns to the front-row, named at tight-head prop.
- Braydon Ennor replaces Dallas McLeod (groin) in the midfield.
- As a result, Macca Springer has been added to the bench.
- The Crusaders have won their last three matches against the Chiefs, more than they had in their previous seven games against them.
- The Crusaders have won their last five finals matches against the Chiefs, with the Chiefs last beating them in finals action in 2013.
- The Chiefs have won their last three Super Rugby semi-finals, while the Crusaders have won their last seven.
Samipeni Finau v Ethan Blackadder
Finau is a big-game player, needing to step up in the absence of Wallace Sititi.
He comes up against Blackadder, who often flies under the radar yet is one of the best in the country.
Both men will be crucial to the battle in tight, with whichever back-row is able to dominate going a long way to victory.
Crusaders by 4
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo
- Fehi Fineanganofo is the lone change as he returns from injury, starting on the wing as Kini Naholo reverts to the bench
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Beauden Barrett
Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Che Clark, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer
- The Blues have recalled Beauden Barrett to the starting side after his battle with a quad issue.
- Finlay Christie replaces Sam Nock (hand) in the halves.
- Hoskins Sotutu is the lone change to the starting pack, coming in for the suspended Malachi Wrampling, with Che Clark added to the bench.
- The Hurricanes have won their last nine matches at Henry Stadium by an average of 28.3 points.
- The Blues have lost their last four Super Rugby matches, their longest losing streak since 2018-19.
- The Hurricanes and Blyes have never faced off in finals action in Super Rugby history.
Callum Harkin v Beauden Barrett
This match-up revolves around whether Barrett can find that magic to deliver the ultimate upset.
The former Hurricanes star reverts back to fullback and needs a big game to stop the runaway train that is the ‘Canes attack.
For Harkin, he’s served as the perfect piece to complement Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett and will be out to maximise his involvement at the back.
Hurricanes by 11
DRUA (1-15): Karalaini Naisewa, Bitila Tawake (c), Tiana Robanakadavu, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Carletta Yee, Nunia Daunimoala, Alfreda Fisher, Mereoni Nakesa, Kolora Lomani, Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Josivini Naihamu, Vika Nakacia, Repeka Tove, Ivamere Rokowti
Replacements: Keleni Marawa, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Vilisi Tivalele, Salaseini Railumu, Evivi Senikarivi, Litiana Vueti, Michella’e Stolz
- Vika Nakacia comes into the midfield for her Drua debut, joined in the backline by Repeka Tove, who starts on the wing.
- Kolori Lomani has been named at scrumhalf, while Ivamere Rokowati will start at fullback.
- Mereoni Nakesa moves from second-row to number eight, with Carletta Yee shifting into the second row and Alfreda Fisher into openside flanker.
FORCE (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Alapeta Ngauamo, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Anneka Stephens, Seina Saito, Samantha Wood (co-c), Nicole Ledington, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (co-c), Cecilia Smith, Ella Pietsch, Aiysha Wigley
Replacements: Chiharu Nezuka, Hannah Palelei, Zoe Elliot, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Ngamihi Monk, Adi Vani Buleki
- The Force have named six debutants for the trip to Fiji, with Japanese number eight Seina Saito and winger Ella Pietsch both set to start.
- Fullback Aiysha Wigley makes her return for the first time in close to 800 days after an ACL injury.
- World Cup Wallaroos Sam Wood and Trilleen Pomare co-captain the team, with 12 internationals in the starting XV.
- The Western Force have never beaten the Fijian Drua away from home, losing their last three.
- The Drua have won one of their last four matches in Super Rugby Women’s, conceding over 40 points in their last three.
- The Force’s lone win in 2025 came against the Drua, conceding 101 points in their final two games of the year.
Samantha Wood v Kolori Lomani
The battle of the nines will shape this game as Wood takes on the co-captaincy for the Force.
The WA product is well established as the first choice for the Wallaroos and will be out for a big performance to start their season.
Meanwhile, Lomani’s shifts from the wing represent the Drua’s need for speed around the ruck as they look to turn around their season.
Force by 5
BRUMBIES (1-15): Martha Fua, Tania Naden, Wako Kitano, Ash Fernandez, Jess Grant, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Anne Fernandez de Corres, Faitala Moleka, Ivania Wong, Merania Paraone, Bonnie Brewer, Ash Bishop, Ella Ryan
Replacements: Millie Parker, Linda Emelio, Mona Lisa Tupou, Easter Savelio, Rayna Ellis, Tessa Good, George Hayes, Paua Lee Going
- Number eight Tabua Tuinakauvadra is cleared to return from injury after she was a late scratching last week.
- Faitala Moleka and Ella Ryan switch positions, pushing Moleka back to fullback.
- USA international Mona Lisa Tupou is in line for her debut off the bench, joined by George Hayes and Paua Lee Going.
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Bridie O'Gorman, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (c), Nicole Nathan, Piper Simons, Pleuni Klevit, Edie Burke, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Desiree Miller
Replacements: Nancy Volkman, Emily Robinson, Faliki Pohiva, Grace Gillies, Ruby Anderson, Taj Heald, Martha Harvey, Lusiana Vesikula
- Brittany Merlo starts at hooker, with Adiana Talakai out with injury.
- Edie Burke earns a debut start with no Caitlyn Halse, pushing Desiree Miller to fullback.
- Wallaroos duo Faliki Pohiva and Ruby Anderson return to the side via the bench.
- The NSW Waratahs have never lost to the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby W.
- The Brumbies’ last tasted victory at home in March 2024.
- The Waratahs average 42.2 points in their last five victories.
Siokapesi Palu Sekona v Emily Chancellor
The battle of the skippers is an entertaining contest to watch as both captains look to inspire their sides.
Palu Sekona was massive in their breakthrough victory last week and needs another big performance against the defending champions.
For Chancellor, she needs to continue her influence over the ball to slow down the Brumbies and allow the Waratahs to control the contest.
Waratahs by 9
