Super Round Wrap

Edward Briggs

Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific was headlined by Christchurch’s Super Round, where a full house at the new One NZ Stadium saw New Zealand sides assert dominance across the weekend. There were milestone moments, late drama, and a clear shift in the ladder as Kiwi teams tightened their grip on the top four.

Crusaders 35 – Waratahs 20

The Crusaders opened Super Round with a strong win over the Waratahs, marking their first outing at One NZ Stadium in style.

Dallas McLeod stepped up with two tries, while Codie Taylor crossed from a rolling maul to help secure a narrow halftime lead. The Waratahs threatened throughout, even producing a remarkable full-field try finished by Sid Harvey, but ill-discipline, including a key yellow card, proved costly.

Second-half tries to Leicester Fainga’anuku and Macca Springer ensured the Crusaders pulled clear, avoiding an unwanted clean sweep of losses to Australian opposition.

Hurricanes 45 – Brumbies 12

The Hurricanes reinforced their status as competition leaders with a dominant win over the Brumbies.

Fehi Fineanganofo was unstoppable, scoring four tries, including a first-half hat-trick, as the Hurricanes capitalised on errors and poor execution from their opponents. The Brumbies struggled with their kicking game and set-piece accuracy, repeatedly surrendering territory and momentum.

Although Corey Toole and David Feliuai crossed in response, the Hurricanes controlled the contest, with Josh Moorby also scoring twice in a comprehensive victory.

Blues 36 – Reds 33 (Golden Point)

The Blues edged one of the games of the season, overcoming a spirited Reds comeback in golden point.

Leading 21–7 early and later 33–21, the Blues looked in control before the Reds surged back. A late try to Louis Werchon forced extra time after a sustained maul close to the line.

In golden point, pressure told. Beauden Barrett slotted the decisive penalty after a breakdown infringement, sealing a hard-fought win in a match defined by momentum swings and composure under pressure.

Highlanders 27 – Moana Pasifika 17

The Highlanders held off a determined Moana Pasifika comeback to secure victory in Christchurch.

Jonah Lowe opened the scoring before Moana Pasifika responded with one of the tries of the round, Israel Leota finishing spectacularly in the corner. Glen Vaihu added another to give Moana a halftime lead.

However, the Highlanders regained control after the break. Angus Ta’avao and Adam Lennox both crossed, and despite late pressure the hosts held firm. A late penalty from Cameron Millar ensured Moana Pasifika were denied a bonus point.

Chiefs 42 – Fijian Drua 22

The Chiefs closed out Super Round with a bonus-point win over the Drua, capitalising on costly errors from the visitors.

After an early Drua try to Mesake Doge, the Chiefs responded quickly through Brodie McAlister and Quinn Tupaea. The turning point came from mistakes near the Drua goal line, which the Chiefs punished through Jared Proffit and Cortez Ratima to build a decisive lead.

The Drua showed flashes of brilliance, including a long-range effort from Kavaia Tagivetaua, but the Chiefs maintained control. A late try to Tepaea Cook-Savage sealed the result and lifted them level on points at the top of the table.