Super showdown: Stage is set for Rugby Pacific's top six playoffs in 2025

The stage is set for this weekend's first round of Super Rugby Pacific's top six playoffs for 2025.

This year, the new finals format has been introduced, which offers a second life for one 'lucky loser'. First up are the Crusaders. They finished pool play in second place and will host the Reds (fifth) on Friday night.

Joining the Crusaders in the quarterfinals are fellow New Zealand teams: the Chiefs, Blues, and Hurricanes. On Saturday, the Chiefs (top seeds) will face the Blues (sixth) in Hamilton at 7.05pm, followed by the Brumbies (third) hosting the Hurricanes (fourth) in Canberra at 9.35pm, New Zealand Time.

The three playoff winners will advance to the semifinals, where the top two will host. The highest-scoring losing side will secure the fourth spot in the semis.

The Crusaders are the most successful team in the competition's history, having won 14 titles: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, as well as two regionalised Super Rugby titles in 2020 and 2021.

Coach Rob Penney has named a strong lineup against the Reds with the return of All Black Will Jordan at fullback. The 27-year-old is back after a month on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Penney has made four changes to his starting lineup, which narrowly-defeated the Brumbies 33-31 in Canberra last weekend.

The Crusaders' front row has also been bolstered, with All Black Fletcher Newell starting at tighthead prop and Kershawl Sykes-Martin named on the bench after both players nursed injuries.

But the Crusaders will be without Taha Kemara, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, as well as Dom Gardner (foot, season), and Finlay Brewis (shoulder, season).

Crusaders' Tamaiti Williams and Kyle Preston score a try as their team-mates celebrate agains the Highlanders during Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific in Christchurch on 23 May 2025. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

History shows that home advantage is a key factor in Super Rugby playoffs. The Reds clinched a long-awaited win in Christchurch last year but faced a heavy defeat, 43-19, when they returned to the Garden City in March.

The Queenslanders won their first Super Rugby title in 2011 and are now trying to achieve what no Australian team has done before - win a finals game in New Zealand. The Reds and Brumbies must overcome a 0-19 finals record in Aotearoa if an Australian team is to finally break through in Super Rugby Pacific.

Reds coach Les Kiss told Stan Sport: "We know it's going to be tough. They're a very, very good side, particularly at home. Our own man James O'Connor's doing some good things there as well, but right through their team, they've got quality.

"Even without the man at the back who's super quick (injured Will Jordan), they still seem to be able to put points on. So I'm under no illusions. It's going to be tough," the newly-appointed Wallabies coach says.

Crusaders: Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan. Bench: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod.

Reds: Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan

Referee: Paul Williams. Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter. TMO: Richard Kelly.

Chiefs vs Blues

The table-topping Chiefs will be looking to avenge their 41-10 thumping by the Blues in last year's final in Auckland.

Both teams have met twice this season, with the Chiefs winning, although the margin was a point when the Blues visited Hamilton in round five.

The Chiefs won two consecutive Super Rugby championships in 2012 and 2013 and reached the final in 2021 but lost to the Crusaders.

The Chiefs have already booked their place in next week's semifinals regardless of Saturday's outcome. But a win this weekend will ensure that the Waikato side enjoys home advantage throughout the playoffs.

Chiefs' coach Clayton McMillan has made nine changes to his starting XV, following their 41-24 win against the wooden-spooners Highlanders last weekend. McMillan has opted for a more experienced side against the Blues.

The new front row includes Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, and George Dyer. Lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi replaces Josh Lord, partnering with Tupou Vaa’i, who scored a hat-trick against the Highlanders.

Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i during Round One against the Western Force in Perth on 14 May, 2021. Photo/AAP Image/Trevor Collens/Photosport

All Black Wallace Sititi has been moved to the bench and replaced by Simon Parker in the No. 8 jersey. Samipeni Finau and captain Luke Jacobson complete the loose forwards.

In the backline, Cortez Ratima will start at halfback over Xavier Roe. Quinn Tupaea is unavailable due to a head injury and has been replaced by Gideon Wrampling. Emoni Narawa returns from injury and will start on the wing alongside Leroy Carter.

For the defending champions, wing Mark Tele'a, back Harry Plummer, hooker Ricky Riccitelli, and flanker Adrian Choat may play their final appearances in blue during Saturday's quarter-final.

But coach Vern Cotter says, "Now it's just about playoffs and winning", rather than farewells.

While the Blues have had a challenging season, finally securing a place in the top six at the expense of a fatigued Moana Pasifika side that ran out, Cotter has noticed positive progress from his side in recent weeks. The Auckland team thrashed the Waratahs 46-6 to earn their finals berth.

"It's all about timing," Cotter says, adding that it is time to step up now that they have reached this stage of the competition. He says that despite receiving heavy criticism, the Blues have shown resilience.

Mark Tele'a, of the Blues, and Kini Naholo, of the Hurricanes, grab each other during their match in Wellington on 1 March 2025. Photo/Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson. Bench: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Blues: Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans. Bench: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.

Referee: Angus Gardner. Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan. TMO: James Leckie.

Brumbies vs Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have made one change to their lineup as they prepare to face the Brumbies in the final match of the playoffs.

Coach Clark Laidlaw's side delivered a strong performance in Wellington last weekend, scoring 10 tries to beat Moana Pasifika 64-12, which secured them fourth place in the standings.

Caleb Delany will replace Hugo Plummer at lock, while the backline remains unchanged. Laidlaw has decided to keep Brett Cameron as the playmaker at first five-eighth, and Ruben Love at fullback.

But there are changes to the bench, with Tevita Mafileo, Callum Harkin, and Ngatungane Punivai, who has recovered from an ankle injury, joining the squad.

Hurricanes Tevita Mafileo has been named on the bench against the Brumbies on Saturday. Photo/Marty Melville/Photosport

For the Brumbies, the return of Allan Alaalatoa will provide a major boost in their crucial matchup against the Hurricanes. The skipper's return is the only change to the Brumbies side that lost to the Crusaders last week. The Australians aim to rectify their mistakes from that game.

If the Crusaders and Chiefs win, the Hurricanes and Brumbies will advance to the semifinals before the kickoff in Canberra.

But Brumbies coach and Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham says they will only focus on the results they can control. "We've been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field, irrespective of the other results," Larkham told journalists on Wednesday.

"The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we can have our best performance this weekend. Either way, we're going out there to try and win the game."

Allan Alaalatoa, left, with Solomone Kata, returns to lead the Brumbies against the Hurricanes in Canberra on Saturday. Photo/Clay Cross/Photosport

Brumbies: James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. Bench: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford.

Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love. Bench: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin.

Referee: Nic Berry. Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey. TMO: Brett Cronan.