Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific delivered another weekend of thrilling comebacks, statement wins, and historic upsets. As teams fight to build momentum, the intensity on the field continues to rise.
The Brumbies stunned the Blues with a last-minute penalty, snapping their Eden Park losing streak, while the Drua shocked the previously unbeaten Chiefs in Lautoka. Moana Pasifika made history with a dominant win over the Hurricanes, and the Waratahs continued their unbeaten run with a commanding victory over the Force. Meanwhile, the Crusaders sent a statement with a dominant performance against the Reds.
Here’s a full recap of all the Round 4 results, key moments, and highlights:
BRUMBIES STUN BLUES WITH LAST-MINUTE PENALTY
Blues 20 – 21 Brumbies (HT: 20-10)
The Brumbies ended a 12-year drought at Eden Park, rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit to edge the Blues 21-20 in a thrilling comeback victory. Ryan Lonergan’s last-minute penalty sealed the historic win after the Brumbies’ dominant scrum won a decisive penalty in front of the posts. The Blues looked in control at halftime, with Beauden Barrett scoring a try and Rieko Ioane crossing for his 50th Super Rugby try to establish a 20-10 lead. However, Barrett’s missed conversions and a hand injury that ruled him out at halftime left the defending champions vulnerable. The Brumbies controlled the second half, with Declan Meredith kicking a penalty and scoring a crucial 49th-minute try, though his missed conversion left them trailing by two. Their dominant scrum and breakdown work forced multiple penalties, setting up Lonergan’s dramatic match-winner. The Brumbies move to 2-2, while the Blues slump to 1-3, facing growing concerns over Barrett’s injury and their inability to close out games. The Brumbies host the Rebels next, while the Blues face a tough challenge against the Chiefs in Hamilton as they look to turn their season around.
BLUES
- Tries: Barrett (17’), Ta’avao (36’), Ioane (38’)
- Conversions: Barrett (18’)
- Penalties: Barrett (10’)
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Alaalatoa (22’), Meredith (50’)
- Conversions: Meredith (23’)
- Penalties: Meredith (13’, 44’), Lonergan (79’)
DRUA STUN CHIEFS IN LAUTOKA UPSET
Fijian Drua 28 – 24 Chiefs (HT: 6-12)
The Fijian Drua pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory over the previously unbeaten Chiefs in a wet and physical battle at Churchill Park. The home side outscored the Chiefs 22-12 in the second half, with Ponepati Loganimasi’s brilliant solo try proving decisive. The Chiefs dominated early, with Samisoni Taukei’aho and Jimmy Tupou crossing in the first half, while Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula’s boot kept the Drua in touch at halftime. The game turned after the break as Meli Derenalagi powered over to put the Drua ahead before Anton Lienert-Brown’s try briefly restored the Chiefs’ lead. However, Vuate Karawalevu’s try from a lineout move swung the momentum back to the hosts, and Loganimasi’s sensational chip-and-chase effort sealed the upset. A late Tupou Vaa’i try secured a bonus point for the Chiefs, but they suffered their first loss of the season. The Drua now travel to face the Brumbies, while the Chiefs return home for a crucial showdown with the Blues in Hamilton.
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Derenalagi (43’), Karawalevu (60’), Loganimasi (66’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (44’, 67’)
- Penalties: Armstrong-Ravula (22’, 36’, 78’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Taukei’aho (3’), Tupou (26’), Lienert-Brown (47’), Vaa’i (80’)
- Conversions: Jacomb (27’, 80’)
MOANA PASIFIKA STUN HURRICANES IN HISTORIC WIN
Moana Pasifika 40 – 31 Hurricanes (HT: 14-12)
Moana Pasifika secured their biggest-ever win, stunning the Hurricanes 40-31 at North Harbour Stadium. Miracle Faiilagi stole the show with a hat-trick, while Patrick Pellegrini orchestrated a masterclass at fly-half, guiding Moana to their first victory of the season and just their second-ever win against a Kiwi side. The Hurricanes started strong, with Brayden Iose and Ruben Love crossing early, but Moana’s forward power turned the tide, as Faiilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa struck back before halftime. After the break, Kyren Taumoefolau’s try and Pellegrini’s pinpoint kicking gave the hosts control. The Hurricanes launched a late fightback, with Peter Lakai, Ngatungane Punivai, and Jone Rova scoring, but Moana held firm to claim a famous win. Moana Pasifika will enjoy a bye next week before hosting the Chiefs in Pukekohe on March 21, while the Hurricanes travel south to face the Highlanders in Dunedin.
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Faiilagi (19’, 44’, 66’), Tupou Ta’eiloa (29’), Taumoefolau (41’), Sanerivi (58’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (20', 30', 42', 45', 59')
HURRICANES
- Tries: Iose (16’), Love (23’), Lakai (62’), Punivai (72’), Rova (74’)
- Conversions: Godfrey (17', 63', 73')
WARATAHS OVERPOWER FORCE TO REMAIN UNBEATEN
Waratahs 34 – 10 Western Force (HT: 15-5)
The Waratahs extended their unbeaten start to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with a dominant 34-10 victory over the Western Force at Allianz Stadium. Max Jorgensen starred with a brace, including a crucial intercept try before halftime, while the Waratahs’ pack controlled the physical battle to set the platform for a commanding win. The home side stormed out to a 15-5 halftime lead, with Jorgensen crossing twice and Rob Leota crashing over, while Carlo Tizzano continued his prolific form with the Force’s lone first-half try. Despite early resistance from the visitors, the Waratahs pulled away in the second half, as Darby Lancaster, Felix Kalapu, and Andrew Kellaway added three more tries. The Force struggled with discipline and accuracy, failing to break through until a late consolation try from Ryan Coxon after the final whistle. The Waratahs now turn their focus to a massive derby clash against the unbeaten Queensland Reds, while the Force head home to face the Crusaders
WARATAHS
- Tries: Jorgensen (8', 34'), Leota (30'), Lancaster (54'), Kalapu (70'), Kellaway (77')
- Conversions: Creighton (55'), Edmed (71')
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Tizzano (21'), Coxon (80')
CRUSADERS CRUSH REDS WITH DOMINANT DISPLAY
Crusaders 43 – 19 Reds (HT: 29-7)
The Crusaders reasserted their dominance in Super Rugby Pacific with a clinical 43-19 victory over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch. Sevu Reece and Will Jordan both grabbed first-half doubles, punishing a reckless Reds side that frequently overplayed in their own territory. Cullen Grace and Christian Lio-Willie also crossed for the hosts, who had six tries within 42 minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Despite Harry Wilson’s late first-half try and Lachie Anderson’s second-half score, the Reds failed to match the Crusaders’ precision. An 80th-minute try from Levi Aumua, converted by former Reds fly-half James O’Connor, sealed a statement win for the Crusaders. Queensland will need to regroup quickly before facing the unbeaten Waratahs in a crucial Australian derby next week.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Grace (7’), Reece (19’, 26’), Jordan (33’, 36’), Lio-Willie (42’), Aumua (79’)
- Conversions: Kemara (98, 37’, 43’), O’Connor (80’)
REDS
- Tries: Daugunu (24’), Wilson (39’), Anderson (55’)
- Conversions: McLaughlin-Phillips (25’, 40’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 4
That wraps up Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific. With shocking upsets and dominant performances, the competition is heating up, and every match is proving to be a test of resilience and execution. Some teams are hitting their stride, while others are still searching for consistency in this unpredictable season.
What do you think of this weekend’s action? Which team impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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