Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific delivered a fresh dose of surprises, comebacks, and statement wins across the board. From the Chiefs’ wild rollercoaster in Pukekohe to the Crusaders flexing at Eden Park, each game carried its own drama and intensity. The Waratahs finally broke their Brumbies curse, the Reds powered back in Dunedin, and the Force exploded back into form at home. With the ladder tightening and contenders emerging, the season is starting to take shape—and Round 6 may have been the most telling weekend yet.
Let’s dive into all the results, highlights, and performances from a standout round of Super Rugby action:
CHIEFS SURVIVE SECOND-HALF SCARE TO EDGE MOANA PASIFIKA IN HIGH-SCORING CLASH
Moana Pasifika 35 – 50 Chiefs (HT: 7-43)
The Chiefs survived a dramatic second-half surge from Moana Pasifika to claim a 50-35 victory in Pukekohe, maintaining their spot at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table. After producing a near-perfect first half to lead 43-7 at the break, the Chiefs were stunned by a spirited Moana Pasifika fightback, conceding 28 unanswered points before a late Samisoni Taukei’aho try sealed the win. Damian McKenzie was at the heart of the Chiefs’ first-half dominance, setting up tries and pulling the strings alongside Shaun Stevenson. Hooker Bradley Slater opened the scoring before Stevenson, Xavier Roe, and Leroy Carter added further tries. With Moana captain Tom Savage in the sin bin, the Chiefs made full use of the extra man as Selby-Rickit and McKenzie capped off a blistering half. But the second half told a different story. William Havili, Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, and Tuna Tuitama all crossed as Moana clawed their way back into the contest, with Havili’s intercept try reducing the margin to just eight points in the final five minutes. The Chiefs, under pressure and without second-half momentum, finally broke the Moana resistance with a rolling maul try from Taukei’aho, ending the comeback and denying Moana a historic upset. Despite the win, the Chiefs missed out on a bonus point, and their shaky second-half showing will raise concerns heading into the bye week. Moana Pasifika, despite sitting bottom of the table, showed immense grit and attacking firepower, particularly from their bench. The Chiefs stay unbeaten in 2025, but Moana Pasifika’s second-half charge proved they can push the best in the competition when they click.
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Havili (33’, 75’), Pole (43’), Malolo (58’), Tuitama (70’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (34’, 44’, 59’, 71’, 76’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Slater (9’), Stevenson (14’), Roe (21’), Carter (30’), Selby-Rickit (37’), McKenzie (40’), Taukei’aho (79’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (10’, 15’, 22’, 38’, 40’, 80’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (2’)
REDS SCRUM DOMINATES AS COMEBACK WIN ENDS DUNEDIN DROUGHT
Highlanders 23 – 29 Reds (HT: 20-12)
The Queensland Reds powered to a historic 29-24 comeback win over the Highlanders in Dunedin, snapping a 12-year drought at Forsyth Barr Stadium with a performance built on resilience, set-piece dominance, and late-game composure. Despite missing several key starters, including captain Tate McDermott and flankers Fraser McReight and Liam Wright, the Reds dug deep after trailing by eight points at halftime. A dominant second-half scrum, led by replacement prop Alex Hodgman, shifted momentum, winning four penalties and earning a yellow card against All Black Ethan de Groot. Stand-in captain Harry Wilson delivered a heroic performance, including a match-sealing turnover and a deft kick ahead that led to the decisive try. Filipo Daugunu was outstanding with two tries and brutal defensive work, while Lachie Anderson and Richie Asiata also crossed in a gritty second-half rally. The Highlanders, buoyed by an electric first half and tries from Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele’a, lost their attacking spark in the second stanza, managing only penalty points after the break. Despite the brilliance of Caleb Tangitau early on, Moana’s discipline faltered, allowing the Reds to take control and secure a crucial bonus-point win to move to 4-1 on the season.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Tavatavanawai (15’), Tele’a (33’)
- Conversions: Robinson (16’, 34’)
- Penalties: Robinson (26’, 52’), Gilbert (80’)
REDS
- Tries: Thomas (5’), Asiata (10’), Daugunu (57’, 70’), Anderson (64’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (6’, 58’)
CRUSADERS CRUSH BLUES IN EDEN PARK STATEMENT WIN
Blues 19 – 42 Crusaders (HT: 7-20)
The Crusaders piled more misery onto the struggling Blues with a commanding 42-19 victory at Eden Park, dismantling the reigning champions with a ruthless display of power, precision, and patience. After conceding an early try to Dalton Papali’i, the visitors responded emphatically, running in seven tries to deliver a hammer blow to the Blues’ title defence. Halfback Kyle Preston ignited the Crusaders’ reply before Chay Fihaki crossed twice in a dazzling return to the starting XV. With the forward pack asserting dominance, Tamaiti Williams, Tom Christie, and Macca Springer all added their names to the scoresheet, while Will Jordan capped off the night with the final try in the dying seconds. Despite flashes of brilliance from the Blues — including tries from Marcel Renata and Cameron Christie — the hosts were overwhelmed by the Crusaders’ relentless tempo and defensive steel. The yellow card to Laghlan McWhannell midway through the second half further tilted the momentum, allowing the visitors to pull away. The Crusaders now head into the next round brimming with confidence, while the Blues are left searching for answers after another heavy home defeat.
BLUES
- Tries: Papali’i (4’), Renata (58’), Christie (68’)
- Conversions: Taele (5’), Plummer (59’)
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Preston (11’), Fihaki (13’, 41’), Williams (26’), Christie (52’), Springer (64’), Jordan (80’)
- Conversions: Kemara (14’), O’Connor (65’)
- Penalties: O’Connor (40’)
WARATAHS END BRUMBIES HOODOO WITH THRILLING HOME WIN
Waratahs 28 – 23 Brumbies (HT: 21-6)
The NSW Waratahs snapped a 13-match losing streak to the Brumbies with a gritty 28-23 victory at Allianz Stadium, claiming their first win over their Australian rivals since 2018. In front of a vocal crowd of 20,572, the Waratahs produced a spirited first-half display, scoring 21 unanswered points and surviving a late Brumbies surge to seal a crucial victory. The Brumbies dominated early territory and led 6-0 thanks to Noah Lolesio’s boot, but the Waratahs turned the tide through lethal counter-attacks. Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly, and Rob Leota all crossed in a whirlwind 20-minute period, with the visitors reduced to 14 men during Billy Pollard’s yellow card for a high tackle. The Brumbies clawed their way back in the second half with tries to Allan Alaalatoa, Luke Reimer, and Andy Muirhead, the latter capitalizing on a brilliant Jack Debreczeni crosskick. But Joey Walton’s try in the 67th minute, set up by a brilliant chip-and-chase from Max Jorgensen, gave the Waratahs just enough breathing room. Despite a final push from the Brumbies, the Waratahs held firm, ending their long drought and leapfrogging the ACT side into fourth place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
WARATAHS
- Tries: Wilson (18’), Reilly (24’), Leota (35’), Walton (73’)
- Conversions: Creighton (19’, 25’, 36’), Edmed (74’)
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Alaalatoa (52’), Reimer (68’), Muirhead (76’)
- Conversions: Debreczeni (69’)
- Penalties: Lolesio (2’, 10’)
FORCE CRUSH DRUA TO END LOSING STREAK IN STYLE
Western Force 52 – 15 Fijian Drua (HT: 33-5)
The Western Force roared back into Super Rugby Pacific form with a dominant 52-15 win over the Fijian Drua at HBF Park, snapping a three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion. Boosted by the return of Wallabies Nic White, Ben Donaldson, and Hamish Stewart, the Force delivered their best performance of the season, scoring eight tries and equaling their all-time record for most tries in a Super Rugby match. Hooker Nic Dolly was unstoppable in the first half, grabbing a hat-trick with a pair of driving maul finishes and a smart read on a Drua lineout error. Harry Potter added a 55-meter solo effort, while Carlo Tizzano crossed twice as the hosts bullied the Drua at the breakdown and dominated territory in the Perth heat. Despite Drua tries from Ilaisa Droasese, Taniela Rakuro, and Etonia Waqa, the visitors struggled to match the Force’s physicality and were overwhelmed early, trailing 33-0 before scoring just before halftime. The bonus-point win lifts the Force back into the playoff race and marks a strong statement after a shaky start to the campaign.
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Dolly (2’, 13’, 36’), Tizzano (8’, 46’) Potter (29’, 68’), Donaldson (76’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (3’, 14’ 30’, 37’, 47’, 69’)
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Droasese (40’), Rakuro (43’), Waqa (57’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6
That wraps up Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific. As teams shift gears and the standings tighten, every result is becoming more meaningful. The Crusaders and Force made bold statements, the Waratahs earned a massive breakthrough win, and the Reds continued to show resilience. Meanwhile, questions loom for the Blues and Brumbies after tough losses. With momentum building and rivalries heating up, Round 7 is shaping up to be another must-watch weekend.
Who impressed you most in Round 6? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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