Round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific kicks off the build-up to the finals as the local derbies heat up the weekend.
It begins with a South Island showdown between the Hurricanes and Crusaders, followed by a crucial match between the NSW Waratahs and Western Force in Sydney.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Saturday is headlined by another blockbuster between the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies in Brisbane, while Moana Pasifika and the Blues embark on the Battle of the 09.
Rugby.com.au previews round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365.
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Warner Dearns, Brayden Iose, 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, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Devan Flanders, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova
- Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi all come back into the starting side.
- Brayden Iose moves to blindside flanker as Peter Lakai starts at number eight.
- Ruben Love is set for his 50th Super Rugby appearance.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Ethan Blackadder, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Johnny Lee, Rivez Reihana
- George Bower moves into the starting loosehead role after Finlay Brewis was ruled out with a calf injury.
- Ethan Blackadder returns from injury to start at blindside flanker.
- David Havili makes it 150 for the Crusaders, named as captain at centre.
- The Crusaders have won six of their last eight against the Hurricanes, with each of their last five matches decided by eight points or less.
- This includes five of their last six at Hnry Stadium (FKA Sky Stadium).
- The Hurricanes are unbeaten in regular time in their last seven matches, only losing in Super Point against the Chiefs.
Fehi Fineanganofo v Dallas McLeod
Fineanganofo is the most dangerous man in Super Rugby right now, closing in on the Super Rugby season record for tries.
He continued his rampage against the Brumbies, scoring a hat-trick as he keeps pressing his claims for an All Blacks debut before his move overseas.
McLeod offers a bigger body to try and slow him down, embracing his late call-up to start last week after scoring a double.
Hurricanes by 6
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Siosifa Amone, Matt Philip (c), Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Sid Harvey, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Miles Amatosero, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns from a hamstring injury for the first time since Round Two.
- Ethan Dobbins and Tom Lambert return to the starting side in the front-row.
- Lawson Creighton replaces Jack Debreczeni at flyhalf.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
- Hamish Stewart is the lone change to the 23, swapping with Bayley Kuenzle as he makes his 50th appearance for the club.
- Kurtley Beale is named on the bench, set to bring up his 183rd Super Rugby cap, moving into outright fourth on the all-time list ahead of Liam Messam.
- The NSW Waratahs have won five of their last six matches against the Western Force by an average of 14.2 points per game.
- The Waratahs last six matches at Allianz Stadium have been decided by margins of 15 points or larger.
- The Force have led at half-time in four of their last five matches outside of Western Australia.
Siosifa Amone v Tom Robertson
The battle of the former Origin teammates will take the headlines, but this game will be decided up front.
The Waratahs were troubled by the Crusaders last week, with their hopes only hampered further by Dan Botha’s suspension.
It presents a chance for the Force to pressure them in order to control the contest and the battle within the forward packs.
Waratahs by 4
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Joji Nasova, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Tuwai, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Maika Tuitubou
- Co-captain Frank Lomani makes the surprise switch from scrumhalf to the wing.
- Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Isikeli Rabitu return from injuries in the backline.
- Joseva Tamani and Elia Canakaivata slot into the back-row.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Sean Withy, Lucas Casey, Adam Lennox, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris
- Jona Nareki has been cleared to return from injury on the wing.
- Folau Fakatava starts at scrumhalf, shifting Adam Lennox back to the bench.
- TK Howden comes into the starting side, with Sean Withy also added to the bench.
- The Highlanders are undefeated against the Fijian Drua in their four matches.
- This includes victory in Fiji, one of few teams to be undefeated against the Drua away from home.
- The Fijian Drua have won three of their last four games in Fiji, holding teams to under 30 points in all four matches.
Virimi Vakatawa v Timoci Tavatavanawai
It’s a special return for Tavatavanawai as the Highlanders co-captain returns home to Fiji.
There aren’t many that can match the physicality of the Drua, but Tavatavanawai is a monster when on, setting up a titanic battle with the former French international.
Vakatawa is the key piece towards the Drua’s gain-line ascendancy in the midfield, needing to impose his own will whilst stopping Tavatavanawai from dominating the game.
Drua by 3
MOANA (1-15): Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Millenium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, William Havili, Tuna Tuitama, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, Israel Leota, Glen Vaihu
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tyler Pulini
- Israel Leota starts after his brilliant try last week, with Glen Vaihu moving to fullback.
- William Havili starts at flyhalf, with Patrick Pellegrini out due to a concussion.
- Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Jackson Garden-Bachop and Tyler Pulini all come back onto the bench.
BLUES (1-15): Ben Ake, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele, Kade Banks, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Terrell Peita, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam
- Caleb Clarke has been cleared of a calf injury to start on the wing.
- Kurt Eklund, Anton Segner and Torian Barnes all come into the starting side.
- Sam Nock and Stephen Perofeta form a new look halves combo.
- The Blues have won six of seven matches against Moana Pasifika, although their only loss came in the only game between the two teams at North Harbour Stadium.
- Moana Pasifika are on a nine game losing streak, averaging just 16.4 points per game.
- The Blues have won six of their last seven games, scoring at least five tries in each of their last two games.
Caleb Clarke v Israel Leota
Clarke's return is massive for the Blues at a timely time of the season.
The winger is back to his best, scoring nine tries in as many games, as he looms as a major weapon towards their title push.
For Leota, the sky is the limit after his freakish try last week, looking to impress with Moana Pasifika potentially on the outer.
Blues by 18
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
- The Reds have named the same 23 who went down to the Blues, with Josh Nasser set to make his 50th.
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Toby Macpherson, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Ollie Sapsford
- Lachlan Lonergan starts for the first time in 2026, with Liam Bowron on the bench.
- Toby Macpherson starts at number eight in place of Tuaina Taii Tualima.
- Lock Cadeyrn Neville returns via the bench.
- The Reds are out for consecutive wins over the Brumbies for the first time since May 2021.
- The Brumbies have won the last three games against the Reds as the away side by an average margin of 14 points per game.
- The Reds have won four of their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
Nick Frost v Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
There are several big-time Wallaby match-ups, with the battle of the locks pivotal.
Salakaia-Loto is in excellent form as one of the best locks in the competition, putting together an undeniable Wallabies case.
He comes up against Frost, who has slowly been building form after his return over the past month.
Reds by 7
