'History will repeat itself': Muliaina backs Kiwi clean sweep in Super Rugby Pacific

The Super Rugby Pacific finals begin tonight and if Mils Muliaina is right, the Australian challenge could be over by Sunday morning.

The All Blacks legend and Sky Sport commentator believes New Zealand's three playoff teams - the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Chiefs - are all well placed to reach the semi-finals and continue the long-standing dominance Kiwi sides have enjoyed over Australian opposition in knockout rugby.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings alongside PMN's Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi, Muliaina said he expects history to repeat itself.

"I'm hoping it's going to be an all-New Zealand semi-final and then we'll be an all-New Zealand final," Muliaina predicted. "The Australians, I don't think they can get themselves across the line this week."

The action starts in Wellington on Friday night where the Hurricanes host the Brumbies.

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has named a near full-strength side for the sudden-death clash with co-captains Du’Plessis Kirifi and Jordie Barrett both returning for the knockout match in Wellington.

Laidlaw said the Brumbies bring a strong playoff pedigree and will be a serious test, especially given their experience and structured game.

"We're expecting the best version of the Brumbies," Laidlaw told a media conference in Wellington.

"They've got a heap of experience around playoff rugby, whether that's their coaches or players.

Watch Mils Muliaina and hear Tuilagi William Leolahi's full interview below.

"The Brumbies have a good set piece, their lineout maul is often a real weapon, they've got smart halfbacks around their kicking game, and they have good variation when they move the ball."

Despite the threat, Laidlaw said his side’s recent knockout experience has helped build calm and confidence within the group heading into the match.

"It's an exciting week. The boys are really looking forward to welcoming the Brumbies to Wellington for a Qualifying Final.

"With so much of our squad having shared experiences over the last few years of the knockout stages, it gives us real confidence around our preparation and how we play."

While the Hurricanes finished the regular season as the competition's top-ranked side, Muliaina believes the Wellington weather could make things interesting.

"The weather's not looking too great down in Wellington....It's the style and their ability to be able to break defences down, particularly in the outside channels. But on a windy, wet, rainy day in Wellington, that could prove pretty difficult."

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw during a team training. Tonight, his side host the Brumbies in the first match of Super Rugby Pacific finals week. Photo/Photosport/Elias Rodriguez

Even so, the Brumbies face a major challenge. No Australian team has beaten a New Zealand side in a home playoff match during the Super Rugby era.

Saturday afternoon's clash between the Crusaders and Blues shapes as one of the weekend's biggest games.

The Crusaders are the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions after beating the Chiefs 16–12 in the 2025 final, continuing a long period of New Zealand dominance in the competition.

Since 2015, Kiwi teams have won every full edition of the trans-Tasman tournament, with the Crusaders leading the way across multiple titles, alongside wins for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Blues.

The only break in the regular format came during the Covid-19 disrupted seasons when regional versions of the competition were played.

The last time an Australian side won a full, uninterrupted Super Rugby season was in 2014, when the NSW Waratahs took the title.

That record adds extra weight to the challenge facing the Brumbies and Queensland Reds heading into this weekend’s finals in New Zealand.

The Crusaders head into Saturday's match in strong form and are set to play in front of another sold-out Christchurch crowd.

"I just see the form that the Crusaders are hitting in these finals. They're going to be too hard to beat," Muliaina said.

Tuilagi believes the pressure could work in the Blues' favour.

"The pressure would be definitely on the Crusaders being at home and obviously expected to win this game," he told Terite.

The Crusaders will return to a sold-out Christchurch crowd for their knockout showdown against the Blues on Saturday. Photo/Photosport/John Davidson/file

"So the Blues could cruise under there with the underdog badge and get the job done."

The final qualifying final sees the Chiefs host the Queensland Reds in Hamilton.

Tuilagi warned against dismissing the Reds too quickly after they pushed the Chiefs close earlier this season while Muliaina expects the contest between Chiefs star Wallace Sititi and Reds captain Harry Wilson to be crucial.

While the focus is now on the finals, discussion also turned to the uncertainty surrounding Moana Pasifika's future following this week's reports about the club's financial position.

Muliaina said the situation is concerning but believes there is still a pathway forward.

"I think it's a necessity that we have a team in the islands rather than trying to find a base in New Zealand," Muliaina said.

Caleb Clarke leads a Blues training as they prepare for their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga/file

"There's so much logistics that needs to be put in place, but I think the most important part is who's actually going to invest in it, whether it's from a government sense or a private investor.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of emotion and a lot of heart around wanting to have this team involved."

Tuilagi also raised his concerns about the current model.

"I've always been an advocate at the beginning that we got the model wrong, and for five years.

"If this was the result from that, then we've seen why what's happening now. Whether or not the government should get involved from New Zealand is a big concern for me, considering that there's a $2.75 million debt we still owe in sports and debt."

For now, though, both men expect the rugby to follow a familiar script.

The Chiefs celebrate a try against the Blues in May this year. On Saturday, they host the Queensland Reds in a knockout final in Hamilton. Photo/Photosport/Blake Armstrong/file

"Look, as much as I love our Australian counterparts, I think they're going to be outweighed and outplayed this weekend," Tuilagi said.

"Yeah, history saves it and I think history will repeat itself, definitely."

Muliaina says the opening weekend of the playoffs will quickly show whether any side can break New Zealand’s grip on the competition.

For more on Super Rugby Pacific, visit https://super.rugby/superrugby/