Round 13 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season saw major shifts in the playoff race as the Chiefs surged to the top of the table with a dominant win over the Crusaders, and the Brumbies climbed into second despite a worrying injury to Noah Lolesio. The Blues flexed their forward power to shut down the Drua in Suva, while the Reds broke Waratahs hearts in a rain-soaked Sydney derby. With just two rounds left, finals positions are on the line—and every point now matters.
- Fijian Drua 5 – 34 Blues
- NSW Waratahs 21 – 28 Queensland Reds
- Crusaders 19 – 35 Chiefs
- Western Force 14 – 33 ACT Brumbies
Here are all the Round 13 results and match highlights:
FRONT-ROW DOMINANCE POWERS BLUES TO BONUS-POINT WIN OVER DRUA
Fijian Drua 5 – 34 Blues (HT: 0–22)
The Blues delivered a dominant forward-led performance to secure a crucial 34–5 bonus-point victory over the Fijian Drua in Suva, moving into the top six of the Super Rugby Pacific standings. Three of the Auckland side’s five tries came from front-rowers, as the visitors asserted control early and never let go. After having an early try disallowed, the Blues got on the board in the 6th minute when tighthead prop Marcel Renata crashed over from close range. Taufa Funaki extended the lead soon after with a sharp dummy and snipe at the line (12’), before loosehead Joshua Fusitu’a powered over for his first Super Rugby try in his 35th appearance (32’). Beauden Barrett added a penalty and two conversions to give the Blues a commanding 22–0 halftime lead. The second half saw more of the same. Replacement prop Angus Ta’avao made an instant impact with a try on his first carry (45’), before winger Cole Forbes capped off a sweeping overlap move to make it 34–0. The Drua eventually crossed through Selestino Ravutaumada in the 75th minute, but it was little consolation in a match where they struggled to match the physicality and execution of the Blues pack. The result leaves the Drua anchored at the bottom of the table, while the Blues surge back into finals contention with just weeks to play.
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Ravutaumada (77’)
BLUES
- Tries: Renata (7’), Funaki (22’), Fusitu’a (35’), Ta’avao (47’), Forbes (67’)
- Conversions: Barrett (23’, 36’, 68’)
- Penalties: Barrett (29’)
LATE ANDERSON WINNER SINKS WARATAHS IN SYDNEY DERBY HEARTBREAKER
NSW Waratahs 21 – 28 Queensland Reds (HT: 14–14)
The Queensland Reds completed a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat the Waratahs 28–21 at Allianz Stadium, effectively crushing NSW’s Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes. A brilliant cross-field kick from Filipo Daugunu found winger Lachie Anderson with just minutes to go, sealing a memorable derby win for the Reds and leaving the Waratahs to rue missed chances, discipline issues, and the first-half loss of star fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to a concussion. The Waratahs had started brightly despite wet conditions, jumping to a 14–0 lead thanks to tries from Henry O’Donnell and Jake Gordon. But Queensland hit back with a Tate McDermott try while Daniel Botha sat in the bin, and then levelled the scores through Richie Asiata just before halftime after Suaalii was knocked out in a collision with teammate Andrew Kellaway. The second half was a rollercoaster. Taniela Tupou’s try put NSW back in front before he was yellow-carded for a head clash. The Reds took advantage through a maul try to Josh Nasser, and sealed the win when Anderson latched onto Daugunu’s inch-perfect kick in the dying minutes. The Reds stay firmly in the playoff mix, while the Waratahs’ season continues to unravel.
NSW WARATAHS
- Tries: O’Donnell (9’), Gordon (20’), Tupou (52’)
- Conversions: Edmed (10’, 21’, 53’)
QUEENSLAND REDS
- Tries: McDermott (28’), Asiata (39’), Nasser (68’), Anderson (76’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (29’, 40’), McLaughlin-Phillips (69’, 77’)
CHIEFS SURGE PAST CRUSADERS IN SECOND-HALF MASTERCLASS TO GO TOP
Crusaders 35 – 19 Chiefs (HT: 19–10)
The Chiefs produced a stunning comeback to overpower the Crusaders 35–19 in Christchurch, securing a statement win that propels them to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings. After trailing by 16 points late in the first half, the Chiefs turned the tide with a scintillating display of attacking rugby—scoring 28 unanswered points and punishing an injury-hit Crusaders side that lost Will Jordan, Daniel Rona, and Brodie McAlister before halftime. The Crusaders started strong, opening the scoring through Tom Christie after a pinpoint 50:22 from Chay Fihaki, before Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfoon extended the lead with two well-worked forward tries. But Emoni Narawa’s try right on the halftime siren sparked a Chiefs revival. Damian McKenzie sliced through the defense just after the break, and moments later, Leroy Carter produced a solo stunner to flip the scoreboard. McKenzie then slotted two crucial penalties to create breathing room, before Wallace Sititi powered over from close range to seal the win. The Chiefs now sit four points clear at the top of the table, though they have played one more game than their rivals. The Crusaders will look to bounce back next week against the Waratahs as the race for playoff positioning intensifies.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Christie (7’), Barrett (32’), Shalfoon (38’)
- Conversions: Reihana (8’, 39’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Narawa (40’), McKenzie (44’), Carter (47’), Sititi (74’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (40’, 48’, 75’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (35’, 58’, 62’)
BRUMBIES SECURE BONUS-POINT WIN OVER FORCE AS LOLESIO SUFFERS SERIOUS INJURY
Western Force 14 – 33 ACT Brumbies (HT: 7–19)
The ACT Brumbies claimed a crucial 33–14 win over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night, but their joy was overshadowed by a serious injury to Wallabies fly-half Noah Lolesio, who was stretchered off midway through the first half with a suspected spinal injury. In a hard-fought Australian derby, the Brumbies crossed for five tries — including a bonus-point score after the siren — vaulting them to second on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. However, concern for Lolesio, who was twisted awkwardly in an off-the-ball collision while defending his goal line, tempered the celebrations. Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, Tom Hooper, Ollie Sapsford, and replacement hooker Liam Bowron were the try-scorers for the Brumbies, with young fly-half Declan Meredith adding four conversions after Lolesio’s early departure. The Force battled gamely, scoring through Ollie Callan Koteka and Mac Grealy, with Ben Donaldson converting both efforts. But it was the Brumbies’ power and precision that proved too much in the final quarter. The Brumbies now sit in second place with a strong chance of securing a home playoff, while the Force’s finals hopes continue to hang by a thread.
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Koteka (22’), Grealy (67’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (23’, 68’)
ACT BRUMBIES
- Tries: Ikitau (27’), Toole (40’), Hooper (64’), Sapsford (71’), Bowron (80’)
- Conversions: Meredith (28’, 40’, 65’, 72’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 13
As Round 13 wraps up, the top four are starting to pull clear, but the battle for the final playoff spots is tighter than ever.
Moana Pasifika, Waratahs, and Force all face must-win scenarios in the closing rounds, while the Chiefs, Brumbies, and Blues aim to lock in home finals. With only two weeks to go, the Super Rugby Pacific season is heading for a dramatic finish.
Who impressed you most in Round 13? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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