Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific featured a mix of dominant wins, tight finishes, and a few key results that reshaped the playoff race.
Sevu Reece set a new try-scoring record, the Chiefs put up a big number at home, and the Waratahs pulled off a clutch win in extra time to stay in the hunt.
- Crusaders 15 – 12 Highlanders
- Queensland Reds 27 – 31 Hurricanes
- Chiefs 85 – 7 Moana Pasifika
- Western Force 17 – 22 NSW Waratahs
Here are all the results, recaps, and highlights from Round 15:
REECE MAKES HISTORY AS CRUSADERS EDGE HIGHLANDERS IN SUPER RUGBY THRILLER
Crusaders 15 – 12 Highlanders (HT: 10–5)
Sevu Reece became Super Rugby’s all-time leading try-scorer as the Crusaders held on for a tense 15–12 victory over the Highlanders in Christchurch, keeping their minor premiership hopes alive while officially ending the Highlanders’ playoff dreams. Reece’s 14th-minute try — his 66th in Super Rugby — came in unique fashion as he pounced at the side of the ruck and dotted down amid confusion. After a lengthy TMO review, the try was awarded, putting him ahead of Hurricanes legend TJ Perenara atop the all-time chart. Rivez Reihana’s conversion and a penalty made it 10–0 for the hosts. The Highlanders responded through Jonah Lowe late in the first half after a turnover, trimming the margin to 10–5 at the break. Two minutes into the second half, Taine Robinson darted through the line to give the visitors a surprise 12–10 lead. With their season on the line, the Highlanders defended with heart, but Crusaders pressure eventually paid off. In the 71st minute, Tamaiti Williams barged over to reclaim the lead for the home side. Cameron Millar had a chance to level the match after full-time with a penalty kick, but his effort drifted wide — sealing a dramatic win for the Crusaders and a place in the history books for Reece.
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Reece (15’), Williams (72’)
- Conversions: Reihana (16’)
- Penalties: Reihana (7’)
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Lowe (39’), Robinson (51’)
- Conversions: Robinson (52’)
HURRICANES HOODOO CONTINUES AS REDS FALL SHORT IN BRISBANE
Queensland Reds 27 – 31 Hurricanes (HT: 13–26)
The Hurricanes extended their dominant record over the Queensland Reds with a gripping 31–27 victory at Suncorp Stadium, making it 10 straight wins against the Brisbane outfit since 2013. The win vaulted the Canes into fourth spot on the ladder, dropping the Reds to fifth and leaving their finals hopes hanging by a thread with just one round remaining. Ruben Love got the visitors off to a dream start, capitalizing on a deflected grubber to score inside the opening minute. Reds captain Tate McDermott responded instantly, finishing a sharp break sparked by Jock Campbell. Two rare penalty goals from Tom Lynagh gave Queensland a brief lead before the Hurricanes unloaded a devastating 10-minute burst. Cam Roigard’s solo chip-and-chase try headlined a three-try blitz that included scores from Billy Proctor and Fineanganofo, giving the visitors an 11-point lead at the break. The Reds came out firing in the second half. McDermott crossed for his second, and Joe Brial finished a remarkable 20-phase movement to give the Reds a 27–26 lead. But crucial errors from Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami opened the door for the Hurricanes. Fineanganofo’s second try put the Canes back in front, and Du’Plessis Kirifi delivered a crucial breakdown penalty to snuff out the Reds’ final surge. Despite earning a losing bonus point, the Reds will now need to beat the Drua next week and rely on other results to reclaim a top-four finish.
QUEENSLAND REDS
- Tries: McDermott (4’, 42’), Brial (56’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (5’, 43’, 57’)
- Penalties: Lynagh (10’, 33’)
HURRICANES
- Tries: Love (2’), Fineanganofo (29’, 66’), Roignard (36’), Proctor (36’)
- Conversions: Love (3’, 37’, 40’)
CHIEFS THUMP MOANA PASIFIKA TO CLINCH TOP-TWO FINISH IN STYLE
Chiefs 85 – 7 Moana Pasifika (HT: 31–0)
The Chiefs delivered a ruthless attacking masterclass in Hamilton on Friday night, crushing Moana Pasifika 85–7 to lock in a top-two finish in Super Rugby Pacific. With a minor premiership in sight, the home side ran in 13 tries, including hat-tricks from Leroy Carter and Cortez Ratima, sending a clear warning to the competition heading into the final round. Shaun Stevenson got the scoring underway in the 8th minute, followed quickly by lock Tupou Vaa’i as the floodgates opened. Ratima, Damian McKenzie, and Quinn Tupaea each crossed the line before halftime to give the Chiefs a commanding 31–0 lead. Moana Pasifika’s sole moment came early in the second half, when captain Ardie Savea powered over to momentarily break the Chiefs’ defensive line. But the response was emphatic. Carter exploded for three tries in just 16 minutes, while Ratima matched him shortly after with two more of his own to complete his treble. Taukei’aho, Rona, and a penalty try rounded out the scoring in a lopsided affair. McKenzie was masterful off the tee, slotting nine conversions in a match where the Chiefs’ pace, precision, and physicality were simply too much for a shell-shocked Moana side. The result guarantees the Chiefs a home quarter-final and likely top spot if they finish strong against the Highlanders next week. Moana Pasifika, still chasing a maiden finals appearance, must now win their final match and hope other results go their way.
CHIEFS
- Tries: Stevenson (9’), Vaa’i (17’), Ratima (21’, 64’, 68’), Tupaea (34’), McKenzie (40’), Carter (45’, 54’, 60’), Taukei’aho (51’), Rona (75’), Penalty Try (80’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (10’, 21’, 35’, 46’, 52’, 54’, 61’, 64’, 69’)
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Savea (49’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (50’)
WARATAHS SNEAK PAST FORCE IN EXTRA-TIME THRILLER TO KEEP FINALS HOPES ALIVE
Western Force 17 – 22 NSW Waratahs (HT: 17–14)
Darby Lancaster completed a dramatic hat-trick in the 91st minute to seal a stunning 22–17 extra-time victory for the Waratahs over the Western Force in Perth, keeping their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive heading into the final round. With everything on the line, NSW fought back from a 17–14 halftime deficit and overcame a second-half yellow card to Taniela Tupou, leveling the scores through a late Jack Bowen penalty in the 74th minute. Extra-time drama followed as both sides missed long-range shots to win, including Kurtley Beale and Henry Robertson for the Force. But just seconds after the extra-time siren, the Waratahs mounted one last attack—and Lancaster finished in the corner for his third try of the night and one of the most memorable wins in recent club history. The Force had led at the break after tries from Hamish Stewart, Carlo Tizzano, and Mac Grealy, with Ben Donaldson adding a conversion. But Lancaster’s first-half brace and Triston Reilly’s score kept NSW in the fight. The Waratahs must now beat the Blues at Eden Park next week to have a chance at reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Force, meanwhile, fall just short despite a valiant effort in front of a raucous Perth crowd.
WESTERN FORCE
- Tries: Tizzano (11’), Grealy (33’), Stewart (38’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (40’)
NSW WARATAHS
- Tries: Reilly (4’), Lancaster (19’, 90’)
- Conversions: Edmed (5’, 20’)
- Penalties: Bowen (75’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 15
With just one round remaining, the playoff race is heating up. The Chiefs and Hurricanes have locked in home quarter-finals, the Waratahs are still alive after a dramatic win in Perth, and several teams now face do-or-die clashes next week.
Stay tuned for Round 16—every result will matter.
Who impressed you most in Round 15? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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