Round 11 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season delivered standout performances, playoff-shaping results, and major shifts across the ladder.
The Chiefs and Crusaders both claimed dominant wins, the Reds stunned the Blues on Anzac Day, and the Hurricanes reignited their postseason hopes with a gutsy victory over the Brumbies.
- Chiefs 56 – 22 Western Force
- Reds 35 – 21 Blues
- Moana Pasifika 34 – 15 Fijian Drua
- Highlanders 10 – 43 Crusaders
- Brumbies 29 – 35 Hurricanes
Here’s a full breakdown of all the results and highlights from a crucial weekend of action.
CHIEFS STAY ON TOP AFTER ANZAC DAY DOMINANCE OVER FORCE
Chiefs 56 – 22 Western Force (HT: 25–15)
The Chiefs delivered a thrilling eight-try performance in Tauranga to overpower the Western Force 56–22, extending their lead at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table and reaffirming their title credentials with five rounds remaining. Despite conceding a bizarre try to Harry Potter after a quick restart caught them napping, the Chiefs regrouped quickly. A yellow card to Force centre Sio Tomkinson opened the door, and Samisoni Taukei’aho marked his 100th game with a storming try to push the hosts ahead. Kaylum Boshier’s try — awarded after a dramatic reversal by referee James Doleman — capped off a wild first half as the Chiefs led 25–15 at the break. The second half saw the Chiefs assert full control. Ollie Norris crossed early before Cortez Ratima added another two tries. Potter responded for the Force with his second try, but Shaun Stevenson and Ratima combined again for a slick score that blew the game open. Luke Jacobson’s finish and Daniel Rona’s late effort sealed the dominant result. With the 56–22 win, the Chiefs improve to 8–2 and sit atop the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, while the Force fall to 4–1–5 and continue to battle through injuries and inconsistency.
CHIEFS
- Tries: Narawa (10’), Taukei’aho (21’), Boshier (35’), Norris (43’), Ratima (46’, 57’), Jacobson (69’), Rona (79’)
- Conversions: Jacomb (10’, 38’, 44’, 58’, 80’)
- Penalties: Jacomb (1’, 32’)
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Kuenzle (5’), Potter (11’, 54’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (6’, 55’)
- Penalties: Donaldson (30’)
LYNAGH STARS AS REDS OVERPOWER BLUES ON ANZAC DAY
Reds 35 – 21 Blues (HT: 14–7)
Tom Lynagh delivered a masterclass with two early tries as the Queensland Reds defeated the Blues 35–21 on a rain-soaked Anzac Day at Suncorp Stadium, solidifying their top-four spot in Super Rugby Pacific. Lynagh crossed in the 4th and 8th minutes, steering the Reds to an early lead and earning the inaugural Sellars Dixon Medal for player of the match. His sharp running and composure, combined with heroic defensive efforts from Tim Ryan and Tate McDermott, kept the defending champions at bay. The Blues, despite dominating territory, struggled to capitalize and suffered a major setback when Mark Tele’a was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle. Kurt Eklund, Finlay Nock, and Anton Segner crossed for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough as the Reds scored five tries through Lynagh (2), Richie Asiata, Lachie Anderson, and McDermott. Tate McDermott’s opportunistic solo score after halftime shifted momentum firmly to the Reds, and they sealed the win with two more second-half tries despite a late rally from the Blues. The Reds (6–3) snapped their two-game skid and remain firmly inside the top four, while the Blues (3–7) now face an uphill battle to reach the playoffs with just four rounds remaining.
REDS
- Tries: Lynagh (4’, 8’), McDermott (51’), Anderson (60’), Asiata (70')
- Conversions: Lynagh (5', 9', 52', 61, 71')
BLUES
- Tries: Eklund (37’), Nock (67’), Segner (76’)
- Conversions: Plummer (38’), Barrett (68’, 77’)
MOANA PASIFIKA OVERPOWER FIJIAN DRUA TO BOOST FINALS HOPES
Moana Pasifika 34 – 15 Fijian Drua (HT: 17–0)
Moana Pasifika kept their playoff dreams alive with a strong 34–15 victory over the Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, moving into seventh place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a crucial bonus-point win. After early Drua pressure failed to produce points, Moana Pasifika struck in the 25th minute when Danny Toala finished off a slick backline move. Miracle Fai’ilagi crashed over minutes later, and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa added a third try before halftime to give the hosts a commanding 17–0 lead at the break. Fai’ilagi grabbed his second shortly after the restart, extending Moana’s advantage. Replacement hooker Tevita Ikanivere finally got Drua on the board with a breakaway try, but Moana hit back when Julian Savea touched down for his 63rd career Super Rugby try. Taniela Rakuro responded instantly for the Drua, showcasing his pace to keep the visitors in the hunt. However, Moana Pasifika’s defense held firm, and Tevita Ofa sealed the win with a late try to secure maximum points. The result leaves Moana Pasifika just a point behind sixth-placed NSW Waratahs, while the Fijian Drua face an uphill battle at the bottom of the standings.
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Toala (25’), Fai’ilagi (31’, 45’), Tupou Ta’eiloa (38’), J. Savea (56’), Ofa (80’)
- Conversions: Garden-Bachop (38'), Pelligrini (80')
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Ikanivere (48’), Rakuro (57’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (49’)
- Penalties: Armstrong-Ravula (54’)
CRUSADERS CRUSH HIGHLANDERS WITH RELENTLESS DEFENSE IN DOMINANT WIN
Highlanders 10 – 43 Crusaders (HT: 0–21)
The Crusaders produced a defensive masterclass to overpower the Highlanders 43–10 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, earning a critical bonus-point victory in Super Rugby Pacific Round 11. Despite having just 34% possession and making nearly 120 more tackles than the Highlanders, the Crusaders stifled every attack and struck ruthlessly on the counter. Will Jordan starred early, slicing through the defense for the first try in the 9th minute and setting up Macca Springer shortly after for a 14–0 lead. Even after Codie Taylor’s yellow card, the Crusaders remained impenetrable, and Taylor marked his return by scoring to extend the advantage to 21–0 at halftime. The Highlanders controlled territory but couldn’t break through until Jonah Lowe scored in the 64th minute. However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished moments later when Corey Kellow crossed. Chay Fihaki added another with his first touch of the ball before Veveni Lasaqa grabbed a consolation try for the hosts. Codie Taylor’s second try sealed a commanding Crusaders victory. The Crusaders’ relentless defense and clinical finishing leave them firmly in the playoff hunt, while the Highlanders’ struggles to convert dominance into points continue to hamper their season.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Lowe (62’), Lasaqa (73’)
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Jordan (10’, 14’), Taylor (28’, 80’), Kellow (65’), Fihaki (70’)
- Conversions: Reihana (11', 15', 29', 71', 80')
- Penalties: Reihana (57’)
HURRICANES EDGE BRUMBIES IN CANBERRA THRILLER
Brumbies 29 – 35 Hurricanes (HT: 15–20)
The Hurricanes kept their playoff hopes alive with a hard-fought 35–29 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra, snapping a long-standing losing streak in the Australian capital. Despite being dominated in possession and territory, the Brumbies struck first through captain Allan Alaalatoa. However, the Hurricanes responded swiftly with Billy Proctor and Ngane Punivai crossing for tries to take a 10–5 lead. Luke Reimer pulled one back for the Brumbies, but Kini Naholo’s first try just before halftime gave the visitors a 20–15 edge at the break. Len Ikitau reignited Brumbies’ hopes early in the second half, but Naholo’s second and Punivai’s brace pushed the Hurricanes clear. Andy Muirhead’s late try closed the gap, and with plenty of time left, the Brumbies pressed for a match-winner. However, errors and poor decision-making cost them dearly. The win moves the Hurricanes firmly back into finals contention, while the Brumbies missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on the top two. The Hurricanes’ physicality, led by Naholo’s dynamic performance and their ability to capitalize on Brumbies’ mistakes, proved decisive in a gripping Round 11 contest.
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Alaalatoa (9’), Reimer (34’), Ikitau (47’), Muirhead (71’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (10', 48', 72')
- Penalties: Lolesio (15’)
HURRICANES
- Tries: Proctor (12'), Punivai (27’, 61’), Naholo (37', 49')
- Conversions: Love (29', 50')
- Penalties: Love (30', 45')
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 11
With just four rounds left in the regular season, the race for playoff positions is heating up across Super Rugby Pacific.
The Chiefs remain top, but contenders like the Reds, Crusaders, and Hurricanes are building momentum at the right time. Stay tuned for more decisive clashes ahead as the battle for postseason spots intensifies.
Who impressed you most in Round 11? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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