Club Rugby Round arrives in Super Rugby Pacific

Australian teams, the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs, are the only unbeaten Super Rugby Pacific teams after the third-round games were completed at the weekend.

The defending champion Crusaders bounced back from their round two thumping by the Brumbies with a 43-33 win in Hamilton over the Chiefs, while the Fijian Drua secured their first win by beating the Hurricanes in Lautoka 25-20.

An injury-time try against the Blues made it three from three for the ACT Brumbies while the NSW Waratahs had a bye and have won both their games.

The ACT Brumbies are four points clear of the NSW Waratahs on the points table with the Chiefs third on eight points and the Hurricanes and Blues sharing fourth place on six points.

Moana Pasifika 19, Western Force 35

Moana Pasifika's hopes of a statement performance in Pukekohe were dealt an early blow by the Western Force. A clever double-round and a kick to the corner by visiting first five-eighths Ben Donaldson allowed wing Darby Lancaster to take advantage of a favourable bounce to step inside two defenders to open the scoring with a try after five minutes. Moana Pasifika employed their line-out for hooker Millennium Sanerivi to drive over for a 19th-minute try.

Tidying up a poorly-directed pass from inside, former All Black wing George Bridge showed his ability at centre, in the 30th minute, to pick up the ball and cut on a tangent to almost score beneath the posts. He didn’t see a tackler coming from behind and the ball was dropped. But two minutes later, he again cut back and while grounded short of the line, lock Darcy Swain picked up the ball and scored. And 57 seconds after the half-time hooter, Bridge got his try after a series of goal-line rucks.

Down 21-7, Moana Pasifika denied the Western Force through the third quarter, but after 62 minutes, there was no denying the Force’s lineout maul with flanker Carlo Tizzano getting the try. The same formula in the 69th minute resulted in Argentine hooker Leonel Oviedo scoring. A 75th-minute tap penalty stretched the Western Force defence and replacement halfback Melani Matavao wormed his way through to score for the home team. Another tap penalty provided the impetus for lock Allan Craig to score after standing off on the blindside of a run but they were only consolation tries.

Queensland Reds 31, Highlanders 14

Avoiding missed opportunities was the Highlanders' mantra before their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane but three minutes into the game, a missed chance occurred when lock Will Stodart was held up over the line and a chance after a clever 50:22 kick executed by hooker Jack Taylor was lost after a handling error at the resulting line-out. They proved costly when the Reds ran ball in the 18th minute with skipper and flanker Fraser McReight following through on a kick ahead to win the race to score. That was extended six minutes later when the Reds maul gave hooker Matt Faessler the easiest of run-ins to score.

But in the 30th minute, after Taylor sniped from a ruck, he found halfback Adam Lennox in support, and he beat the defence to score. But the Reds responded when centre Josh Flook’s slightly delayed pass gave flanker Joe Brial a gap and space to pass on to wing Tim Ryan, who scored.

A charging run for a try under the posts by No8 Lucas Casey in the 52nd minute reduced the half-time deficit of 19-7 by seven. However, the Reds got into the Highlanders’ 22m area and, taking a quick line-out, they created a chance for lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to capitalise with a try. Into the final quarter, solid Highlanders’ defence was broken when a grubber kick to the goalmouth was not controlled, and Reds replacement loose forward Vaiuta Latu was on hand to grab the ball and score.

Fijian Drua 25, Hurricanes 20

Playing on a Lautoka pitch more akin to a heavy mid-winter ground, the Hurricanes responded to a Drua penalty by making maximum use of a tap penalty by centre Billy Proctor to take play to the goalmouth before the ball was released to the backs, where wing Fehi Fineanganofo was on the end of first five-eighths Callum Harkin’s long pass to score in the 12th minute.

In the 25th minute, the Hurricanes' lineout maul drove flanker Peter Lakai across for their second try. Drua kick-and-chase tactics five minutes later left the Hurricanes' defenders unable to contain the ball and by maintaining momentum, flanker Motikiai Murray went over beside the posts to score. Responding through their lineout maul, five metres out, the Hurricanes drove before releasing the ball with second five-eighths Jordie Barrett’s lob pass finding Proctor, who scored.

Barrett opened the second-half scoring with a booming 52m penalty in the 49th minute. However, a moment later, fullback Josh Moorby secured a Drua high kick only to have his pass to support intercepted by centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre to run in beneath the bar with the conversion levelling the score at 20-20. Then, in defiance of the conditions, the Drua launched a thrilling passing movement, transferring the ball across the field with long passes to find flanker Etonia Waqa on the left wing with space to run in the match-winning try.

Chiefs 33, Crusaders 43

Priming their fans with two tries in the first nine minutes, the Chiefs looked set for a big night as second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea scored after six minutes while fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo completed a length-of-the-field try two minutes later.

However, the Crusaders set to their work and got on the board courtesy of good support play from hooker George Bell, who was rewarded with his try at the end of the first quarter. But rival hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho got another back for his side two minutes later. Once finding their attacking touch, the Crusaders launched determined assaults, crossing for tries in the 26th and 29th minutes to halfback Noah Hotham and No 8 Christian Lio-Willie. A penalty goal to first five-eighths Taha Kemara gave the visitors a 24-21 lead at the break.

Play was torrid as last year’s finalists went at it with high intensity through the first 10 minutes of the second half but after 52 minutes, Lio-Willie scored a second. Then, going into the final quarter, a searing break and a long pass to the flank, by fullback Will Jordan, resulted in skipper and second five-eighths David Havili extending the lead with a try out wide. The Crusaders capped that in the 67th minute when, from a scrum in their 22m, Kemara kicked to halfway where the bounce favoured wing Chay Fihaki. Running onto the ball gave him the impetus to take him clear of the defence. Kemara took the ball in support and from the goal-line tackle on him, it was Lio-Willie who picked up and drove over to score.

ACT Brumbies 30, Blues 27

Opportunistic tries apiece marked the start of a tight contest at GIO Stadium in Canberra between the Brumbies and Blues. A blocked grubber kick from Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan was kicked downfield by prop James Slipper, with home first five-eighths Declan Meredith fastest to the ball. He toed it ahead, got the bounce and opened the scoring with his try after eight minutes.

Five minutes later, as the Brumbies backs swung into action, a wayward pass fell to Blues wing Caleb Clarke, who romped 45m to level the score. The Brumbies lineout force got to work for hooker Billy Pollard’s try. Then, flanker Anton Segner set play in motion from a line-out and after Clarke regained the ball from a box kick, Segner carried forward before centre AJ Lam charged onto ruck ball to drive over to level the scores. Scrum penalties were a frustration for the Blues, with prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi a constant target for referee Angus Gardner.

The Blues looked more in control in the second half, claiming the lead through a well-taken Clarke try, resulting from a quick line-out throw by Christie. Sullivan ran back a Meredith kick to unleash replacement wing Codemeru Vai on an impressive run. When he was tackled the ball was moved to match centurion and flanker Dalton Papali’i, who scored in the opposite corner. But 10 minutes from the end, first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta was sin-binned and from a line-out close to the Blues line, replacement loose forward Luke Reimer scored for the Brumbies. With a four-point lead, the Blues closed up shop with mauling set-ups. A penalty was conceded and the Brumbies swept downfield. In the second minute of injury-time and after a multitude of goal-line rucks, No 8 Charlie Cale touched the ball on the goal-line chalk to steal the win for the home team.

Super Rugby Pacific will this week shine a spotlight on the all-important grassroots of the game as the clubs unite behind the inaugural Club Rugby Round.

The round is an opportunity for the competition to celebrate the hundreds of community clubs across the Pacific, and the thousands of volunteers, coaches, match officials and players brought together by community rugby.

This weekend will see Super Rugby Pacific players take the field wearing the socks of community clubs that have played important roles in their rugby journeys.

Across the week all clubs will be using their social media channels to promote their players’ connections to club rugby and to showcase stories of the heroes at the heart of their communities.

“Every professional player in our competition started at a local club,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.

“Club Rugby Round is our opportunity to recognise the volunteers, coaches, referees and families who make our game possible and to help drive club registrations ahead of their upcoming seasons.

“From early morning minis to third grade on a Saturday afternoon, club rugby is where the values of our game are learned and where powerful lifelong connections are formed. This round is a celebration of those communities.

“We want all our members and fans to wear their club colours proudly this week, to share their best club rugby stories across social media and to gather their club mates and get to a game.”

The Club Rugby Round action kicks off on Friday night with the Chiefs welcoming Moana Pasifika to FMG Stadium Waikato where clubs can take advantage of group ticket discounts.

The Waratahs have officially called on fans to wear their club colours to the game, with the best represented club on the night to win a coaching clinic with head coach Dan McKellar and captain Matt Philip.

It will be festival atmosphere on Saturday in Dunedin with a rugby fun day featuring Highlanders players taking place outside Forsyth Barr Stadium for the two hours leading up to kick-off.

At half-time in their game against the Western Force, there will be a sprint race to crown the fastest premiership club player, followed by a 40-metre dash for the over-40s.

The Crusaders kicked off their week with players running skills and drills with local juniors at three ‘club hub’ events across the Canterbury region ahead of their Saturday night showdown against the Blues at Eden Park.

Prop James Slipper is set to equal Wyatt Crockett’s all-time Super Rugby appearance record as the Brumbies take on the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium to close out the round.

The Canberra crowd will get a taste of club rugby action as Uni-North Owls and Gordon play a curtain raiser, while more than a dozen local clubs participate in a march past and half-time relay race.

CLUB RUGBY ROUND FIXTURES

FRIDAY

Chiefs v Moana Pasifka – 5.05pm AEDT/7.05pm NZDT – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Opta Pack - Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round 4 - Chiefs v Moana Pasifika.pdf

Download PDF • 1.49MB

NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes – 7.35pm AEDT/9.35pm NZDT – Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Opta Pack - Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round 4 - NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes.pdf

Download PDF • 1.48MB

SATURDAY

Highlanders v Western Force – 2.35pm AEDT/4.35pm NZDT – Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Opta Pack - Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round 4 - Highlanders v Western Force.pdf

Download PDF • 1.51MB

Blues v Crusaders - 5.05pm AEDT/7.05pm NZDT – Eden Park, Auckland

Opta Pack - Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round 4 - Blues v Crusaders.pdf

Download PDF • 1.44MB

ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds – 7.35pm AEDT/9.35pm NZDT – GIO Stadium, Canberra

Opta Pack - Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round 4 - ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds.pdf

Download PDF • 1.51MB

ACT Brumbies back-rower Charlie Cale has surged to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting.

Cale continues to amass votes after scoring the winner in the Brumbies' thrilling win over the Blues in Canberra.

Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson and Queensland Reds skipper Fraser McReight were the highest vote getters of the round, narrowly missing maximum points with eight votes each.

The captains and head coaches of both teams nominate their top three players from the opposing team each week, allocating three votes, two votes, and one vote, respectively.

On top of this, the Player of the Year voting process has been bolstered for the upcoming season, with a panel of respected rugby media identities from across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji assembled to contribute votes on each game.

Player of the Year votes from each round will be announced on the competition website and social media channels each Tuesday, until the voting goes behind closed doors following Round 10.

Here is how they voted:

Moana Pasifika v Western Force

8 - Ben Donaldson (FOR)

5 - Vailoni Ekausi (FOR)

4 - Miracle Faiilagi (MOA)

3 - Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (MOA), Jonathan Taumateine (MOA)

2 - Mac Grealy (FOR), Carlo Tizzano (FOR)

1 - George Bridge (FOR), Solomon Alaimalo (MOA), Lalomilo Lalomilo (MOA)

Queensland Reds v Highlanders

8 - Fraser McReight (QLD)

5 - Tim Ryan (QLD)

4 - Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

3 - TK Howden (HIG), Lucas Casey (HIG), Carter Gordon (QLD)

2 - Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (QLD)

1 - Ethan de Groot (HIG), Will Stodart (HIG)

Fijian Drua v Hurricanes

6 - Frank Lomani (FJI)

5 - Jordie Barrett (HUR)

4 - Peter Lakai (HUR)

3 - Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (FJI), Brayden Iose (HUR)

2 - Etonia Waqa (FIJ), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (FIJ)

1 - Motikiai Murray (FJI), Isoa Nasilasila (FJI), Mesake Vocevoce (FJI), Asafo Aumua (HUR), Cam Roigard (HUR)

Chiefs v Crusaders

6 - Leroy Carter (CHI)

5 - Christian Lio-Willie (CRU)

4 - Chay Fihaki (CRU)

3 - Josh Jacomb (CHI), George Bell (CRU), Taha Kemara (CRU)

2 - Luke Jacobson (CHI), Fletcher Newell (CRU)

1 - Josh Lord (CHI), Will Jordan (CRU)

ACT Brumbies v Blues

6 - Caleb Clarke (BLU)

4 - Charlie Cale (BRU), James Slipper (CRU)

3 - Cole Forbes (BLU), Rhys van Nek (BRU)

2 - Sam Darry (BLU), Billy Pollard (BRU), Finlay Christie (BLU)

1 - Anton Segner (BLU), Luke Reimer (BRU), Dalton Papali’i (BLU), Ryan Lonergan (BRU)

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Round Three

17 - Charlie Cale (BRU)

16 - Ben Donaldson (FOR)

15 - Max Jorgensen (NSW), Miracle Faiilagi (MOA)

12 - Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG), Vaolini Ekuasi (FOR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

11 - Fraser McReight (QLD)

10 - Ryan Lonergan (BRU), Caleb Clarke (BLU)

Five others on nine votes

Meanwhile, the Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has found Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams guilty of dangerous play in a ruck in contravention of Law 9.20a.

Williams was cited for dangerous play that occurred in the 15th minute of the match between the Chiefs and Crusaders at FMG Stadium Waikato on 28 February 2026.

The FPRC determined Williams had entered a ruck and made direct shoulder contact to an opponent's head, with no mitigation and that the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches.

In light of Williams accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record and remorse, the FPRC applied the full 50% reduction in sanction.

• Williams was also given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.

Williams has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, which will apply to the following Super Rugby Pacific matches:

- Blues v Crusaders, Saturday 7 March 2026

- Crusaders v Highlanders, Saturday 14 March 2026

- Moana Pasifika v Crusaders, Saturday 21 March 2026*

Also, the front row of the Super Rugby Legends XV is now complete with the election of New Zealander Owen Franks.

Franks played 178 matches in Super Rugby and joins Keven Mealamu and Wyatt Crockett in the front row.

Voting is now open to decide the second rows in the Super Rugby Legends XV, with another stacked field of locks nominated from across the competition’s history.

From set-piece specialists to destructive ball carriers, fans now have another tough decision to make as the Super Rugby Legends XV front row nears completion.