The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific qualifying finals delivered tension, drama, and one historic upset.
The Crusaders stayed dominant at home, the Brumbies muscled past the Hurricanes, and the Blues stunned the Chiefs with a last-play try in Hamilton.
- Crusaders 32 – 12 Queensland Reds
- Chiefs 19 – 20 Blues
- Brumbies 35 – 28 Hurricanes
Here are all the match recaps and highlights from the qualifying finals round:
CRUSADERS DOMINATE REDS TO EXTEND PERFECT HOME FINALS RECORD
Crusaders 32 – 12 Queensland Reds (HT: 12–0)
The Crusaders delivered another clinical playoff performance in Christchurch, overpowering the Queensland Reds 32–12 to reach yet another Super Rugby Pacific semi-final. The result extended their astonishing home finals record to 30 wins from 30 matches, a streak unmatched in global rugby. Despite needing to defy history—no Australian side had won a playoff match in New Zealand in 30 years—the Reds were unable to meet the moment. Ill-discipline plagued them early, with five consecutive penalties conceded, allowing the Crusaders to take control. Tries from Tamaiti Williams and captain Scott Barrett gave the hosts a 12–0 lead at the break, while the Reds squandered territory and possession with errors. The second half saw the Crusaders tighten the screws. Halfback Noah Hotham darted over to all but seal the game, followed by a Rivez Reihana penalty and a late score from replacement Kyle Preston. Though the Reds rallied with tries from Josh Nasser and Fraser McReight, it was too little, too late. With this dominant quarter-final win, the Crusaders march into the semi-finals as relentless as ever—while the Reds bow out, leaving the Brumbies as the last Australian team standing.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Barrett (16’), Williams (28’), Hotham (56’), Reihana (66’), Preston (79’)
- Conversions: Reihana (29’, 57’)
- Penalties: Reihana (60’)
QUEENSLAND REDS
- Tries: Nasser (70’), McReight (77’)
- Conversions: Daugunu (71’)
BLUES SHOCK CHIEFS WITH LAST-GASP TRY TO STAY IN TITLE HUNT
Chiefs 19 – 20 Blues (HT: 9–3)
The Blues pulled off a dramatic upset in Hamilton on Saturday night, scoring a last-minute try to eliminate the top-seeded Chiefs and advance to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. Replacement lock Josh Beehre was the hero, diving over in the 82nd minute to snatch a stunning 20–19 win and keep the defending champions’ hopes alive. In a tense, tactical affair dominated by penalties and territory, the Chiefs led 9–3 at halftime through the boot of Damian McKenzie, capitalizing on a yellow card to Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli. Beauden Barrett kept the Blues in touch with two penalty goals of his own, but it was the Chiefs who landed the first major blow when center Daniel Rona powered over in the 58th minute to push the margin out. Despite a disallowed try to Caleb Clarke, the Blues found a lifeline when replacement hooker Kurt Eklund squeezed over in the 69th minute. McKenzie had a chance to seal the game but pushed a long-range penalty wide, setting up a frantic final passage. After a Hoskins Sotutu try was ruled out for double movement, the Blues kept the pressure on, and Beehre’s dramatic finish in the 82nd minute, converted by Barrett, turned the tables.
The defending champs now march on, while the Chiefs exit in heartbreak—denied by the slimmest of margins in front of a stunned home crowd.
CHIEFS
- Tries: Rona (59’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (60’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (2’, 32’, 36’, 52’)
BLUES
- Tries: Eklund (65’), Beehre (80’)
- Conversions: Barrett (66’, 80’)
- Penalties: Barrett (5’, 48’)
BRUMBIES OUTLAST HURRICANES TO REACH SUPER RUGBY SEMI-FINALS
ACT Brumbies 35 – 28 Hurricanes (HT: 21–14)
The ACT Brumbies powered their way into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals with a hard-fought 35–28 win over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium, riding their dominant forward pack to a five-try victory on Saturday night. Hooker Billy Pollard scored a brace and captain Allan Alaalatoa added a key first-half try as the Brumbies’ rolling maul and pick-and-drive game proved too much for the visitors. The Hurricanes struck early through fullback Ruben Love, but the Brumbies quickly answered with a classic lineout maul try finished by Pollard. Winger Fatafehi Fineanganofo briefly restored the lead for the Canes, only for Alaalatoa to crash over minutes later. Just before the break, the Brumbies turned down a shot at goal, instead gambling on another maul—Pollard again finishing the job to send the home side into the sheds up 21–14. The second half was a back-and-forth affair. Fullback Tom Wright extended the lead with a sweeping finish, matched shortly after by a slick try from Bailyn Sullivan. Veteran prop James Slipper then added a fifth for the Brumbies before Hurricanes replacement Pasilio Tosi kept it close at 35–28. The visitors mounted one final surge in the closing moments, but Luke Reimer came up with a crucial turnover inside his own 22 to seal the win and send the Brumbies into a daunting away semi-final clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton next weekend.
ACT BRUMBIES
- Tries: Pollard (9’, 40’), AAlaalatoa (22’), Wright (47’), Slipper (60’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (10’, 40’, 23’, 48’, 61’)
HURRICANES
- Tries: Love (6’), Fineanganofo (17’), Sullivan (54’), Tosi (67’)
- Conversions: Love (7’, 18’, 55’, 68’)
SEMI-FINALS OVERVIEW
With the quarterfinals wrapped, the stage is set for two heavyweight semi-final clashes: the Crusaders will host the Blues in Christchurch, while the Brumbies travel to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs. Expect intensity, pressure, and playoff rugby at its best.
Who impressed you most in the Qualifying Finals round? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
If you enjoyed this recap, don’t forget to:
- Like and share this post with fellow rugby fans
- Bookmark the blog to stay updated on the next rounds
- Follow @gopeakrugby on X and Facebook and subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more rugby analysis, match recaps, and insights
