Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific brought fireworks across the board—with blowouts, upsets, and last-minute heroics shaping the standings.
The Hurricanes delivered a ruthless eight-try demolition of the Waratahs in Wellington, while the Reds climbed to the top of the ladder with a gritty home win over the Force. But it was Moana Pasifika who stole the headlines with a historic and emphatic victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch—perhaps the biggest upset of the season so far.
From Canberra to Brisbane, late-game drama and breakout performances defined the weekend.
Let’s break down all the Round 7 action.
HURRICANES CRUSH WARATAHS IN WELLINGTON ROUT
Hurricanes 57 – 12 Waratahs (HT: 24-12)
Kini Naholo scored a hat-trick and the Hurricanes ran in eight tries to demolish the Waratahs 57-12 at Sky Stadium in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific. After conceding early, the hosts responded with 35 unanswered points and never looked back, handing the Waratahs another forgettable night in Wellington, where they haven’t won in over a decade. The Tahs opened the scoring through flyhalf Lawson Creighton, but injuries to Creighton and fullback Max Jorgensen—who went off in the 13th minute with a suspected serious ankle injury—disrupted their backline structure early. Kini Naholo struck soon after for his first try, and the Hurricanes began to dominate possession and territory. Cam Roigard, Asafo Aumua, and Bailyn Sullivan all found the try line in a relentless first-half display. NSW did respond through Archie Saunders, making it 24-12 at the break, but any hopes of a second-half resurgence were crushed when captain Joey Walton was yellow-carded for a maul collapse, resulting in a penalty try. With Walton in the bin, the Canes piled on 19 points. Brad Shields and Ngatungane Punivai added late tries as the hosts jumped to sixth on the ladder, while the Waratahs returned home with a mounting injury toll and defensive frailties laid bare.
HURRICANES
- Tries: Naholo (8’, 19’, 79’), Aumua (36’), Roigard (38’), Penalty try (52’), Punivai (58’), Shields (61’), Sullivan (69’)
- Conversions: Hohepa (37’, 39’, 59’, 62’), Love (80’)
WARATAHS
- Tries: Creighton (4’), Saunders (44’)
- Conversions: Creighton (5’)
BRUMBIES EDGE HIGHLANDERS IN WILD FINISH AT GIO STADIUM
Brumbies 34 – 27 Highlanders (HT: 15-5)
The Brumbies reclaimed their place in the Super Rugby Pacific top four after surviving a thrilling, see-saw contest to defeat the Highlanders 34-27 in Canberra. With seven lead changes across 80 frenetic minutes, it took two late tries from Andy Muirhead and Len Ikitau to seal the deal for the hosts, who had nearly let a 10-point halftime lead slip away. The Brumbies were dominant early, despite losing Corey Toole to a yellow card in the first 15 seconds. The Highlanders capitalized immediately through Caleb Tangitau, but Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa struck back for the home side—Alaalatoa scoring from a rolling maul before leaving the pitch bloodied. Down 15-5 at the break, the Highlanders burst into life with 14 points in 14 minutes after halftime. Sam Gilbert and Jona Nareki crossed to put the visitors ahead 19-15. The Brumbies regrouped, and Toole made up for his early sin-bin with a sidestepping try to retake the lead. Gilbert edged the Highlanders back in front with a penalty, but the Brumbies had the final say. Muirhead’s 83rd-minute try was quickly followed by Ikitau’s match-winner in the 77th, as the Brumbies extended their home dominance to 18 wins from their last 21 in Canberra. The Highlanders, meanwhile, continue to struggle in tight games, with all six of their matches this season decided by eight points or fewer—four of them ending in defeat.
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Pollard (22’), Alaalatoa (31’), Toole (62’), Muirhead (73’), Ikitau (78’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (23’), Debreczeni (63’, 74’, 79’)
- Penalties: Lolesio (5’)
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Tangitau (11’, 80’), Gilbert (44’), Nareki (54’)
- Conversions: Gilbert (45’, 55’)
- Penalties: Gilbert (66’)
MOANA PASIFIKA STUN CRUSADERS WITH HISTORIC WIN IN CHRISTCHURCH
Crusaders 29 – 45 Moana Pasifika (HT: 10-28)
Moana Pasifika pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Super Rugby Pacific history with a sensational 45-29 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch — their first ever win over the reigning champions. Led by captain Ardie Savea, who scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes, Moana Pasifika delivered a dominant first-half performance and never looked back. Cullen Grace’s early yellow card for the Crusaders opened the door for Moana, who struck clinically through Savea and Danny Toala. Patrick Pellegrini, faultless from the tee, extended the lead further with a try and six conversions, giving the visitors a commanding 28-10 advantage at the break. Despite a mini Crusaders comeback with second-half tries from Macca Springer and Codie Taylor, Moana responded with ruthless precision. Breakout star Miracle Faiilagi powered over in the 62nd minute, followed swiftly by a try from Pepesana Patafilo, sealing a remarkable and emphatic win. Mitchell Drummond’s late score was mere consolation for the Crusaders, who missed a golden opportunity to go top of the table. Instead, Moana leapfrogged into ninth place, overtaking the Blues and reigniting their playoff hopes with an unforgettable performance.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Moananu (7’), Springer (50’), Taylor (53’), Drummond (75’)
- Conversions: O’Connor (8’, 54’), Reihana (76’)
- Penalties: O’Connor (21’)
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Savea (3’, 17’), Toala (25’), Pellegrini (35’), Faiilagi (63’), Patafilo (66’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (4’, 18’, 26’, 36’, 64’, 67’)
- Penalties: Pellegrini (47’)
REDS RISE TO THE TOP AS LATE MCDERMOTT TRY SINKS FORCE IN BRISBANE THRILLER
Reds 28 – 24 Western Force (HT: 21-21)
The Queensland Reds climbed to the summit of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a dramatic 28-24 victory over the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium. Despite a nightmare night at the lineout and a late yellow card to flanker John Bryant, the Reds found a way to win for the second time in a month by the exact same scoreline against the Force. Tate McDermott delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute, diving over following a rare successful lineout and rolling maul to secure the bonus-point win. Queensland then defended with everything they had to hold on in the final minutes. In an entertaining first half, both sides scored three tries apiece. The Reds struck first through Filipo Daugunu before the Force responded with an unlikely 45-meter breakaway try from prop Tom Robertson. Carlo Tizzano was again a standout for the visitors, bagging a brace to take his season tally to ten tries. Tom Lynagh helped create a try from a botched lineout and converted all four of Queensland’s tries, while Ben Donaldson’s boot kept the Force in touch, nudging them ahead 24-21 in the second half. But despite eight lost lineouts and a mounting injury toll — including Hunter Paisami going off with a broken nose — the Reds showed grit to grind out their sixth win of the season and set up a top-of-the-table clash with the Chiefs next week.
REDS
- Tries: Daugunu (5’), Murray (12’), Pakeho (25’), McDermott (73’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (6’, 13’, 26’, 74’)
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Robertson (7’), Tizzano (17’, 33’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (8’, 18’, 34’)
- Penalties: Donaldson (58’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7
As the dust settles on Round 7, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape—though upsets like Moana Pasifika’s shock win remind us that nothing is guaranteed in Super Rugby Pacific. The Reds’ surge to the top sets up a tantalizing clash with the Chiefs, while teams like the Crusaders and Waratahs are left searching for answers. With momentum shifting weekly and the race for the top eight heating up, every game from here on out is must-watch rugby.
Who impressed you most in Round 7? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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