Results, Recap & Highlights
Round 5 of Super Rugby Pacific delivered another weekend of intense clashes, standout performances, and high-stakes drama. From nail-biting finishes to dominant displays, teams are beginning to show their true form as the competition heats up. The Chiefs continued their strong start with a thrilling one-point victory over the Blues, while the Crusaders put on an attacking clinic led by Macca Springer’s five-try masterclass. The Brumbies held firm against a resilient Fijian Drua, and the Hurricanes secured a crucial win in Dunedin.
With every round bringing new twists, some teams are gaining momentum, while others are still searching for consistency.
Here’s a full breakdown of all the action from Round 5 of Super Rugby Pacific:
HURRICANES EDGE HIGHLANDERS IN DUNEDIN THRILLER
Highlanders 18 – 20 Hurricanes (HT: 11-8)
The Hurricanes survived a dramatic finish to secure a crucial 20-18 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin, lifting themselves off the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. The Highlanders had multiple late chances to steal the win, but Sam Gilbert’s drop goal attempt after the final siren faded wide, allowing the Hurricanes to escape with their second win of the season. Despite a dominant performance from Highlanders captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, the Hurricanes’ defensive resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive. Ruben Love’s try in the 62nd minute gave the visitors the lead, and co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi’s late turnover helped seal the result. The Highlanders outscored the Hurricanes in the first half, with Caleb Tangitau intercepting a pass and racing away for a stunning try just before halftime, giving the hosts an 11-8 lead at the break. However, the Hurricanes struck back through Cam Roigard and Love in the second half, while Gilbert missed a crucial penalty and a late drop goal that could have won it for the Highlanders. With this result, the Hurricanes move up to seventh place heading into their bye, while the Highlanders fall to 2-2, missing a golden opportunity to claim a statement win at home.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Tangitau (39’), Faleafaga (59’)
- Conversions: Gilbert (60’)
- Penalties: Gilbert (12’, 23’)
HURRICANES
- Tries: Naholo (4’), Roigard (43’), Love (63’)
- Conversions: Godfrey (44’)
- Penalties: Godfrey (17’)
IKITAU HAT-TRICK LEADS BRUMBIES TO VICTORY OVER DRUA
Brumbies 38 – 21 Fijian Drua (HT: 28-7)
A Len Ikitau masterclass, featuring a hat-trick of tries, powered the Brumbies to a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Fijian Drua in Canberra. The home side dominated the first half, surging to a 28-7 halftime lead, but had to withstand a determined Drua fightback before securing a bonus-point victory. The Brumbies’ fast start saw Ikitau cross twice in the first half, while captain Ryan Lonergan and Andy Muirhead also added scores. However, the Drua refused to go away, responding with second-half tries from Motikiai Murray and Tevita Ikanivere to cut the deficit to seven points. Ikitau completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute, restoring breathing room for the Brumbies. A controversial TMO decision later denied the Drua another try, swinging momentum back to the hosts. Luke Reimer’s late try secured the bonus point, sealing the Brumbies’ third win of the season. With their 18th consecutive away defeat, the Drua’s road struggles continued, while the Brumbies solidified their place among the competition’s front-runners.
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Ikitau (19’, 29’, 51’), Lonergan (23’), Muirhead (33’), Reimer (80’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (20’, 24’, 30’, 34’, )
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Canakaivata (27’), Murray (42’), Ikanivere (49’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (28’, 43’, 50’)
SPRINGER’S FIVE-TRY MASTERCLASS LEADS CRUSADERS PAST FORCE
Crusaders 55 – 33 Western Force (HT: 20-18)
Macca Springer put on a historic five-try performance, equalling the Super Rugby record for most tries in a single game as the Crusaders outgunned the Western Force 55-33 in Christchurch. Sevu Reece also grabbed a hat-trick, while Will Jordan added a late try as the home side dominated the second half after a tight opening 40 minutes. The Force made a strong start, taking the lead three times in the first half through Mac Grealy, Will Harris, and a string of penalty kicks from Max Burey, with the visitors trailing just 20-18 at the break. However, the Crusaders exploded after halftime, punishing the Force’s defensive lapses with a blistering 35-point second half. Springer’s fourth try, a spectacular chip-and-chase effort, was the pick of the bunch as the Crusaders’ backline ran riot. James O’Connor came off the bench to steady the attack, adding four conversions as the Crusaders cruised to their third win of the season. Despite Jeremy Williams scoring late for the Force, along with a runaway try from Harry Potter, the Crusaders’ back three dominated, accounting for all nine of their tries. With the win, the Crusaders move to second on the ladder (3-1), while the Force fall to eighth (2-3) and return home to face Fijian Drua next week.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Springer (13’, 19’, 51’, 54’, 59’), Reece (27’, 38’, 42’), Jordan (72’)
- Conversions: O’Connor (52’, 55’, 60’, 72’), Kemara (43’)
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Grealy (15’), Harris (33’), Williams (68’), Potter (76’)
- Conversions: Burey (34’), Miln (77’)
- Penalties: Burey (2’, 25’, 45’)
CHIEFS EDGE BLUES IN ONE-POINT THRILLER TO REMAIN TOP OF THE TABLE
Chiefs 32 – 31 Blues (HT: 15-12)
The Chiefs held off a late surge from the Blues to secure a nail-biting 32-31 victory in Hamilton, extending their lead at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings. In a match packed with moments of brilliance and drama, it was Damian McKenzie’s 71st-minute penalty that ultimately made the difference, ensuring the hosts completed the season double over the Blues. The Blues outscored the Chiefs five tries to four, but missed kicks proved costly, particularly Xavi Taele’s 75th-minute conversion attempt, which hit the upright and denied the visitors the lead. Shaun Stevenson, making his first start of the season, stunned the crowd with a spectacular behind-the-back offload to set up Daniel Rona’s opening try, reminding All Blacks selectors of his quality. The Chiefs’ bench played a key role in turning the tide, with Tupou Vaa’i and Cortez Ratima both crossing after Taele’s yellow card, helping the home side build a ten-point lead before the Blues came roaring back. Rieko Ioane’s sensational late try off a pinpoint Stephen Perofeta cross-kick set up a grandstand finish, but the Blues’ final attack was shut down, allowing the Chiefs to clinch a crucial victory. With the win, the Chiefs move to 4-1 and solidify top spot, while the Blues (1-4) climb off the bottom of the ladder thanks to a losing bonus point but now face a must-win clash against the Crusaders next week.
CHIEFS
- Tries: Rona (14’), McKenzie (36’), Vaa’i (58’), Ratima (62’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (37’, 59’, 63’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (25’, 71’)
BLUES
- Tries: Lam (33’), Tele’a (40’), Evans (50’), Renata (65’), Ioane (75’)
- Conversions: Plummer (34’, 51’, 66')
REDS DOMINATE WARATAHS IN COMPREHENSIVE 35-15 WIN
Reds 35 – 15 Waratahs (HT: 21-8)
The Queensland Reds put in a dominant performance as they secured a 35-15 victory over the NSW Waratahs at home, showing their class in every facet of the game. Despite a strong opening from the Waratahs, the Reds responded with a series of well-executed tries, finishing with a 13-point win. The Waratahs were first to make their mark in the match, with Tristan Reilly scoring early to give them a 5-0 lead. However, the Reds quickly responded. After Andrew Kellaway was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Wilson, the Reds capitalized on the numerical advantage. Heremiah Murray leveled the score with a try, and then Harry Wilson powered over for a try of his own to give the Reds the lead. Richie Asiata extended the Reds’ lead, scoring off a driving maul, and Fraser McReight added another shortly after. McReight injured his shoulder in the process but managed to score before being substituted. Despite some solid defense by the Waratahs, the Reds continued to dominate in the second half, with Angus Blyth sealing the victory with a try in the dying minutes. The Waratahs mounted a late response with Langi Gleeson scoring a consolation try, but the Reds’ performance was never in doubt. Tate McDermott led the Reds with confidence, while Seru Uru made a strong return, and Max Jorgensen was a standout for the Waratahs. The win sees the Reds join the Waratahs with a 3-1 record, and they look forward to building on this performance in the upcoming rounds.
REDS
- Tries: Murray (20’), Wilson (28’), Asiata (33’), McReight (45’), Blyth (66’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (21’, 29’, 34’, 46’, 67’)
WARATAHS
- Tries: Reilly (2’), Gleeson (74’)
- Conversions: Edmed (75’)
- Penalties: Creighton (25’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 5
That wraps up Round 5 of Super Rugby Pacific. With high-scoring thrillers, dominant performances, and last-minute drama, the competition is reaching another level. The Chiefs continue to lead the pack, while the Crusaders and Brumbies keep pace. Some teams are hitting their stride, while others are still searching for answers in this unpredictable season.
Which team impressed you the most this weekend? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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