Super Round is here as Super Rugby Pacific takes over the city of Christchurch for a blockbuster weekend.
It starts with the hosts, Crusaders, taking on the NSW Waratahs on Friday, with both teams fighting for their finals hopes.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
On ANZAC Day, the ACT Brumbies face a fierce Hurricanes challenge as the Queensland Reds take on the Blues.
Meanwhile, Sunday celebrates the Pacific as the Highlanders face Moana Pasifika before the Chiefs finish the round against the Fijian Drua.
Rugby.com.au previews round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod
- David Havili and Codie Taylor are massive ins, named to return from injury.
- Havili’s return sees a surprise shift to the back-row for Leicester Fainga’anuku.
- Noah Hotham is one of several returning to the starting side after last week’s defeat to the Force.
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Folau Fainga'a, Siosifa Amone, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Tom Lambert, Dan Botha, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
- Isaac Kailea, Folau Fainga'a and Siosifa Amone form a brand-new starting front-row.
- Max Jorgensen shifts to fullback, moving Sid Harvey to the wing.
- Former Crusader Ioane Moananu is named to face his old side.
- The NSW Waratahs have won three of their last five against the Crusaders
- However, the Crusaders have won 15 of 16 games in NZ against the Waratahs, with the only loss coming in 2004.
- The Crusaders have never lost to every Australian team in a season, dropping games to the Force, Brumbies and Reds.
Leicester Fainga’anuku v Charlie Gamble
Fainga’anuku’s selection at openside flanker is a massive gamble (pardon the pun) for the hosts in a must win game.
If he ends up there, it presents a major chance for the centre to add another dimension to their attack with his strength and speed.
On the contrary, the Crusaders need to be on guard for former Canterbury product Gamble to try and target his inexperience around the ruck to slow down their ball and get turnovers.
Crusaders by 4
HURRICANES (1-15): Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Jove Rova, Josh Gray
- Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu and Tevita Mafileo make up a new look front-row.
- Caleb Delany and Brayden Iose both start in the forward pack.
- Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi is set for his 100th Super Rugby match.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby MacPherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Ollie Sapsford
- Andy Muirhead shifts with Ollie Sapsford, starting on the wing.
- Rory Scott returns to the starting side at openside flanker, replacing Luke Reimer.
- The Brumbies have won six of their last eight matches against the Hurricanes.
- A win would make it the second time in history they have cleaned swept the Kiwi sides in a season.
- The Hurricanes have won their last four home matches against the Brumbies, scoring 40 points per game.
Cam Roigard v Ryan Lonergan
Two of the form scrumhalves in the competition will have a big say in who wins this game.
For the Hurricanes to succeed, they need Roigard to be active and lively around the breakdown, able to spark their attack from wherever.
For the Brumbies, they need Lonergan to be sharp and quick with his distribution to take advantage of their red-hot flyers.
Hurricanes by 9
BLUES (1-15): Ben Ake, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Cole Forbes, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Kade Banks, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Xavi Taele
- Ben Ake makes his first start at loosehead prop after debuting off the bench against the Highlanders.
- Kade Banks starts for the first time this year on the wing opposite Cole Forbes, while Pita Ahki returns to the midfield
- Stephen Perofeta is set to return after recovering from a calf injury.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard
- Zane Nonggorr starts in the front-row, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips named at flyhalf.
- Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard both come onto the bench after recovering from concussion.
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will make his 150th Super Rugby appearance.
- The Reds are gunning for back-to-back wins over the Blues for the first time since 2013.
- The Blues have won their last three against the Reds in NZ by an average margin of 27 points.
- The Blues have either conceded or scored 40+ points in four of their last five games.
Dalton Papali’i v Fraser McReight
Papali’i and McReight are two of the best at their jobs, with the breakdown battle a major factor in deciding this match.
The Blues general returned with a bang last week after a back injury, with his combination with Anton Segner and Hoskins Sotutu the difference in the win.
Meanwhile, McReight remains at the top of the game, looking for some big ruck steals and attacking involvement to get the Reds over the line.
Reds by 3
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Soane Vikena, Saula Ma'u, Mitch Dunshea, Tomas Lavanini, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Xavier Tito-Harris, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Angus Ta'avao, Te Kamaka Howden, Hugh Renton, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens returns from injury, named at fullback.
- Soane Vikena and Saula Ma’u comes into the front row, while Tomás Lavanini returns from injury to partner Mitch Dunshea in the second row.
- Xavier Tito Harris earns his first start, while Jonah Lowe shifts to the right wing.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Tamateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Augustine Palu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Israel Leota
- Jonathan Tamateine replaces Melani Matavao (concussion), named at scrumhalf.
- Young gun Israel Leota comes back from an ankle injury via the bench, the first time since round two.
- The Highlanders have won six of their seven games against Moana Pasifika.
- Moana Pasifika have been kept scoreless in the first halves across their last two matches against New Zealand opposition.
- The Highlanders have won only one of their last nine matches away from Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Ethan de Groot v Abraham Pole
de Groot is the key figure in a dominant Highlanders scrum that has caused chaos in Super Rugby.
The All Black stalwart has been at his best throughout the season, with Moana Pasifika needing to be on guard if they are to gain ascendancy in the engine room.
Highlanders by 15
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Sinkinson, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchison
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Benét Kumeroa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Michael Loft, Xavier Roe, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi
- Wallace Sititi starts at number eight after his game-winning try in Super Round.
- Tupou Vaa’i return after a week out with concussion as captain alongside Josh Lord at lock.
- Isaac Hutchinson will debut at fullback after a lengthy time out with a knee injury.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatawa, Maika Tuitubou, Taniela Rakuro, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Isoa Nasilasila, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou
- Co-captain Frank Lomani returns from injury and starts at scrumhalf.
- Maika Tuitubou debuts for the Fijian Drua, named at outside centre.
- Taniela Rakuro has been named on the wing.
- The Fijian Drua got their maiden win over the Chiefs after three straight defeats.
- The Chiefs have scored 40+ points in each of these teams' last two meetings in NZ.
- The Chiefs are looking for five straight wins for the first time since 2023.
Quinn Tupaea v Maika Tuitubou
Debutant Tuitubou faces the toughest task in Super Rugby as he goes up against the form player in the competition.
Tupaea is one of the best midfielders in the world and is short odds for Player of the Year after a brilliant season for the Chiefs.
Chiefs by 19
