Round 12 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season brought major shifts across the ladder as playoff pressure ramped up.
Moana Pasifika broke into the top six with a dramatic win over the Highlanders, Bailyn Sullivan starred for the Hurricanes with four second-half tries against the Chiefs, and the Drua delivered a last-minute home victory to keep their finals hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Brumbies, Blues, and Sharks all posted strong performances as the competition heads into its final stretch.
- Blues 40 – 19 Western Force
- Fijian Drua 36 – 33 Queensland Reds
- Hurricanes 35 – 17 Chiefs
- Brumbies 40 – 17 NSW Waratahs
- Highlanders 29 – 34 Moana Pasifika
Here are all the results and highlights from Round 12:
BLUES OVERPOWER FORCE IN EDEN PARK CLASH DESPITE BEALE’S COMEBACK TRY
Blues 40 – 19 Western Force (HT: 12–7)
The Blues solidified their top-eight standing with a commanding 40–19 bonus-point victory over the Western Force at Eden Park on Friday night, outscoring the visitors six tries to three. Despite a stirring comeback try from Kurtley Beale in his long-awaited return from injury, the Force were ultimately undone by the Blues’ superior set-piece and attacking execution. The Force made a bright start and applied early pressure, with Kurtley Beale immediately making his presence felt in his first match since rupturing his Achilles 10 months ago. His opening touch helped spark a Harry Potter line break, but repeated handling errors cost the Force early opportunities. The Blues, ruthless off the back of a dominant scrum, opened the scoring through prop Marcel Renata in the 16th minute before Cole Forbes sliced through untouched for a second try just four minutes later (12–0). The Force responded through a rolling maul try by Carlo Tizzano (37’) to make it 12–7 at the break. Beauden Barrett wasted no time in the second half, orchestrating a wide ball for AJ Lam to finish just 72 seconds after the restart (19–7). The moment of the match for the visitors came in the 47th minute: Ben Donaldson’s pinpoint cross-field kick found Mac Grealy, who flicked a superb offload to Beale for a try that marked an emotional return to the scoresheet (19–12). But the Blues turned up the pressure. Barrett continued to pull the strings, including a deft chip kick that allowed Forbes to bag his second. Further tries from Lachlan McWhannell and Josh Beehre sealed the result, with Barrett converting five of six attempts. Nic Dolly added a late consolation try for the Force off another maul, but it wasn’t enough to mount a serious comeback. The Blues and Force are now level on 22 competition points, but the Aucklanders take momentum into the final stretch, while the Force will likely need at least two wins from their last three to remain in finals contention.
BLUES
- Tries: Renata (16’), Forbes (20’, 59’), Lam (42’), McWhannell (54’), Beehre (76’)
- Conversions: Barrett (20’, 43’, 55’, 60’, 77’)
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Tizzano (38’), Beale (47’), Dolly (67’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (39’, 49’)
LATE RABITU TRY SEALS STUNNING DRUA COMEBACK OVER REDS IN SUVA THRILLER
Fijian Drua 36 – 33 Queensland Reds (HT: 15–19)
The Fijian Drua broke Queensland Reds hearts with a dramatic 36–33 comeback win in Suva on Saturday, with Isikeli Rabitu crossing for the match-winning try in the final minute to cap off an electrifying contest at HFC Bank Stadium. In a match billed as “must-win” for the playoff-chasing Reds, the visitors led with 90 seconds remaining before a yellow card to co-captain Fraser McReight left them shorthanded—setting the stage for Rabitu’s late heroics that handed the Drua their second home scalp in as many weeks after toppling the Waratahs. The try-fest featured 11 tries, nine of them from forwards, in a bruising battle of physicality and momentum swings. The lead changed hands seven times, but it was the Drua’s refusal to fold, despite missing four conversions, that proved decisive. Taniela Rakuro opened the scoring in the 5th minute, but the Reds hit back quickly through Jock Campbell. Further tries from Mesake Doge and Etonia Waqa restored the Drua’s edge, though conversions eluded them. The Reds responded through Richie Asiata and Seru Uru, with Uru’s effort just before halftime giving the visitors a 19–15 lead. The Drua emerged firing in the second half, with Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Tuwai powering over to swing the match back in Fiji’s favor at 29–19. But Queensland refused to roll over, closing the gap with tries from Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Max Craig, the latter seemingly putting the Reds in control. That was until Rabitu—brought on late—latched onto a sweeping attacking move and powered over in the 79th minute, sending the Suva crowd into raptures and dealing a huge blow to the Reds’ playoff hopes.
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Rakuro (8’), Doge (16’), Waqa (26’), Vocevoce (42’), Tuwai (55’), Rabitu (80’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (43’, 56’, 80’)
QUEENSLAND REDS
- Tries: Campbell (11’), Asiata 29’), Uru (34’), Toomaga-Allen (61’), Craig (72’)
- Conversions: McLaughlin-Phillips (12’, 30’), Lynagh (62’, 73’)
SULLIVAN’S FOUR-TRY MASTERCLASS LIFTS HURRICANES TO STATEMENT WIN OVER CHIEFS
Hurricanes 35 – 17 Chiefs (HT: 9–15)
Bailyn Sullivan stole the show with an extraordinary four-try second-half performance, propelling the Hurricanes to a thrilling 35–17 victory over the Chiefs on Saturday in Wellington. The bonus-point win rockets the Hurricanes into fifth place on the ladder and reignites their playoff ambitions with just weeks remaining in the Super Rugby Pacific regular season. In a first half dominated by the Chiefs, Daniel Rona provided both of their tries. His first came in the 22nd minute, spinning out of a tackle to open the scoring. Then, just before halftime, Rona intercepted a pass and raced away untouched to notch his second and give the Chiefs a 15–6 advantage. Three Ruben Love penalties kept the Hurricanes within striking distance at the break, trailing 15–9. But it was all Hurricanes—and all Sullivan—after the restart. The winger, a late replacement following an injury to Kini Naholo, immediately made his presence felt, finishing off a sweeping backline move in the 45th minute from a brilliant Billy Proctor pass. Proctor again sparked the next try, sending Riley Higgins slicing through the line before Sullivan pounced for his second to hand the Canes their first lead. With Shaun Stevenson yellow-carded shortly after, the Hurricanes took full advantage of the extra man. Love’s pinpoint cross-field kick found Sullivan in acres of space for his hat-trick. The 26-year-old wasn’t done yet. In the 72nd minute, Higgins stabbed a grubber in behind the Chiefs’ line, and Sullivan timed his chase perfectly to score his fourth try and seal a famous win. The loss halts the Chiefs’ momentum and keeps them level on 37 points with the Crusaders, while the Hurricanes now hold their postseason fate in their own hands.
HURRICANES
- Tries: Sullivan (46’, 59’, 65’, 73’)
- Conversions: Love (47’, 60’, 66’)
- Penalties: Love (13’, 26’, 29’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Rona (22’, 40’)
- Conversions: Jacomb (23’, 40’)
- Penalties: Jacomb (40’)
BRUMBIES DOMINATE WARATAHS IN SIX-TRY REVENGE WIN IN CANBERRA
Brumbies 40 – 17 NSW Waratahs (HT: 19–12)
The ACT Brumbies bounced back in emphatic fashion on Saturday night, running in six tries to claim a comprehensive 40–17 victory over the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium. The result not only avenges their Round 5 loss in Sydney but also strengthens the Brumbies’ grip on third place in the Super Rugby Pacific standings, while the Waratahs slide dangerously to eighth, clinging to playoff hopes. Corey Toole and Billy Pollard each bagged a brace, while Len Ikitau and Allan Alaalatoa added further scores in a dominant performance by the home side. Despite eye-catching moments from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Langi Gleeson, the Waratahs couldn’t match the Brumbies’ second-half intensity and fell to a fifth consecutive road defeat. The Brumbies were on the front foot early, opening the scoring through Toole off a sharp backline move from a lineout, then doubling up after Waratahs captain Jake Gordon was sin-binned for a no-arms tackle—punished immediately by Ikitau’s close-range finish. A brilliant solo intercept try from Gleeson gave the Waratahs life, and when Suaalii powered over in the 23rd minute, it was all square at 12–12. But a controversial moment tilted momentum sharply. A clear series of forward passes in the buildup to Pollard’s first try was missed by referee Angus Gardner, allowing the Brumbies to take a 19–12 halftime lead. From there, the hosts took control. Captain Alaalatoa crashed over early in the second half, followed by Pollard’s second try and a brilliant counterattack finished by Toole to secure the bonus point. With just a few rounds remaining, the Brumbies look locked in for a home quarterfinal, while the Waratahs face a must-win clash against the Reds next week to keep their postseason hopes alive.
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Toole (4’, 58’), Ikitau (10’), Pollard (33’, 49’), Alaalatoa (46’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (11’, 34’, 47’, 50’, 59’)
NSW WARATAHS
- Tries: Gleeson (18’), Suaalii (23’)
- Conversions: Creighton (19’)
MOANA PASIFIKA STUN HIGHLANDERS IN SUVA SHOOTOUT TO ENTER TOP SIX
Highlanders 29 – 34 Moana Pasifika (HT: 12–17)
Moana Pasifika’s playoff hopes received a major boost on Sunday afternoon as they secured a dramatic 34–29 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin, marking their first-ever win over the southern franchise and leaping into sixth place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. In a thrilling, seesawing contest that featured nine tries, it was a last-minute charge-down score from replacement Melani Matavao that sealed the game for Tana Umaga’s men and silenced the home crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The Highlanders struck first through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, but Moana responded almost immediately via Danny Toala. From there, it was end-to-end action. Jonah Lowe scored the first of his two tries, but Moana took control at the breakdown, with Lalomilo Lalamilo crossing and Jackson Garden-Bachop adding the extras. A William Havili penalty saw the visitors take a 17–12 lead into the break. A yellow card to Havili early in the second half gave Cam Millar a chance to close the gap, but Moana’s skipper Ardie Savea made an immediate impact on his return, slicing through for a pivotal try. Lowe then bagged his second off a brilliant break by Folau Fakatava, before Moana surged again through Miracle Faiilagi. The Highlanders roared back with a well-executed rolling maul try to Jack Taylor, and a penalty from Taine Robinson saw the hosts sneak ahead 29–27 with under ten minutes remaining. But just as the Highlanders looked to close it out, a charge-down from Matavao flipped the script, and the resulting try gave Moana a lead they would not relinquish. A final attack after the siren fell short, leaving the Highlanders stuck in 10th place, now six points off the playoff pace. With five wins under their belt, Moana Pasifika now looks like a serious finals contender—and with momentum firmly on their side, few teams will want to face them down the stretch.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (6’), Lowe (15’, 53’), Taylor (73’)
- Conversions: Millar (7’, 54’), Robinson (74’)
- Penalties: Millar (44’)
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Toala (9’), Lalamilo (19’), Savea (45’), Faiilagi (66’), Matavao (75’)
- Conversions: Garden-Bachop (9’, 20’), Pellegrini (76’)
- Penalties: Havili (40’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 12
With just a few rounds remaining, the playoff race is heating up across both conferences. Teams like Moana Pasifika, the Drua, and the Hurricanes are building momentum at the right time, while others will need to bounce back quickly.
Round 13 is set to deliver more high-stakes rugby as finals contention intensifies.
Who impressed you most in Round 12? 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
