Round 16 closed out the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific regular season with high-stakes matchups, lopsided wins, and standout individual performances.
The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in Dunedin, the Crusaders edged the Brumbies in a classic, and the Hurricanes crushed Moana Pasifika to book their place in the final four. Elsewhere, the Blues ended the Waratahs’ playoff hopes with a record win, and the Reds rolled over the Drua with Lachie Anderson etching his name into the history books.
- Highlanders 24 – 41 Chiefs
- ACT Brumbies 31 – 33 Crusaders
- Blues 46 – 6 NSW Waratahs
- Hurricanes 64 – 12 Moana Pasifika
- Queensland Reds 52 – 7 Fijian Drua
Here’s a full look at the weekend’s results, match summaries, and highlights:
CHIEFS SEAL TOP SPOT WITH VICTORY OVER HIGHLANDERS IN DUNEDIN
Highlanders 24 – 41 Chiefs (HT: 14–19)
The Chiefs clinched the Super Rugby Pacific minor premiership with a commanding 41–24 win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, securing home field advantage for the playoffs. Tupou Vaa’i was the standout performer, notching a rare hat-trick from the second row to power the Chiefs past a spirited Highlanders outfit. The visitors exploded out of the gate with a Damian McKenzie chip setting up Samipeni Finau for the opening try in the 5th minute. Vaa’i then crossed twice in quick succession, giving the Chiefs a 19–0 lead by the 14th minute. The Highlanders responded through co-captain Ethan de Groot and a stunning solo try from Timoci Tavatavanawai, closing the gap to 19–12 by halftime—helped by a yellow card to Reuben O’Neill. After the break, the Chiefs took control again with Xavier Roe finishing down the short side. McKenzie kept the scoreboard ticking with the boot, and Manasa Mataele added another try off the bench. Sam Gilbert gave the home fans a moment to cheer with a try in his final Highlanders appearance, but Vaa’i’s third sealed the deal. The only concern for the Chiefs was an injury to Quinn Tupaea, who left the field on a stretcher in the first half. Still, the win puts them atop the table heading into the finals.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: de Groot (30’), Tavatavanawai (39’), Gilbert (73’)
- Conversions: Millar (31’, 40’), Gilbert (74’)
- Penalties: Millar (51’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Finau (6’), Vaa’i (11’, 13’, 80’), Roe (41’), Mataele (59’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (7’, 14’, 42’, 80’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (66’)
CRUSADERS SNATCH VICTORY LATE TO STUN BRUMBIES IN CANBERRA
ACT Brumbies 31 – 33 Crusaders (HT: 14–25)
The Crusaders pulled off a dramatic late win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night, securing second place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a 33–31 triumph in a high-stakes final round clash. With both sides vying for a home semi-final, it was the 14-time champions who prevailed after reserve hooker George Bell crossed from a maul in the 76th minute to steal the lead. The Brumbies nearly responded through Corey Toole, whose electric run was halted just three meters short by a last-ditch effort from Scott Barrett, who knocked the ball loose. Earlier, the Crusaders had looked in control, building a 25–14 halftime lead behind tries from Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, and a clever drop goal by Sevu Reece. But the Brumbies came out firing in the second half, with Rhys van Nek and Andy Muirhead crossing to level the game at 28–28. Noah Lolesio nudged the home side ahead with a penalty in the 72nd minute, but the Crusaders’ late maul try and clinical execution ensured they claimed all four points and a crucial home semi-final berth. The Brumbies, meanwhile, will host a quarterfinal next weekend as the highest-ranked Australian team.
ACT BRUMBIES
- Tries: Fotuaika (2’), Ikitau (17’), van Nek (50’), Muirhead (56’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (3’, 17’, 51’, 57’)
- Penalties: Lolesio (73’)
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Lio-Willie (7’), Blackadder (13’), Reihana (26’), Bell (77’)
- Conversions: Reihana (8’, 27’)
- Penalties: Reihana (11’, 47’)
- Drop Goal: Reece (38’)
BLUES CRUSH WARATAHS TO END THEIR FINALS HOPES IN RECORD WIN AT EDEN PARK
Blues 46 – 6 NSW Waratahs (HT: 24–6)
The Blues buried the Waratahs’ playoff hopes in brutal fashion with a dominant 46–6 victory at Eden Park, handing NSW their heaviest-ever defeat in the fixture. Despite missing several stars, the Waratahs held firm early and trailed just 10–6 with six minutes left in the first half. But two rapid tries from Rieko Ioane — the second coming off a pinpoint Beauden Barrett kick — stretched the Blues’ lead to 24–6 at the break and shattered any Australian hopes of an upset. Barrett’s brilliance continued into the second half as he orchestrated a clinical attacking display, guiding the Blues to four more unanswered tries. Fullback Corey Evans strolled in shortly after halftime before Ricky Riccitelli and Mark Tele’a added further damage. Ioane capped his hat-trick — and equaled Doug Howlett’s club record of 55 tries — with a solo score that summed up the Waratahs’ unraveling. While Jack Bowen slotted two penalties for the Tahs, their lack of finishing power and costly defensive lapses sealed their fate. The defending champions now await the outcome of Moana Pasifika’s final-round clash to see if they’ll sneak into the playoffs.
BLUES
- Tries: Tele’a (11’, 40’), Ioane (28’, 37’, 69’), Evans (46’), Riccitelli (57’)
- Conversions: Barrett (38’, 40’, 47’, 58’)
- Penalties: Plummer (80’)
NSW WARATAHS
- Penalties: Bowen (23’, 34’)
HURRICANES CRUSH MOANA PASIFIKA TO LOCK IN FINAL FOUR FINISH IN WELLINGTON
Hurricanes 64 – 12 Moana Pasifika (HT: 28–7)
The Hurricanes stormed into the Super Rugby Pacific finals with a ruthless 64–12 demolition of Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium, sealing fourth place and setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Brumbies. Needing only a win to confirm their playoff berth, the Canes delivered a statement performance, running in ten tries in a dominant display. Moana Pasifika struck first through Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, who pounced on a turnover sparked by Solomon Alaimalo. But that early lead was short-lived. The Hurricanes found their rhythm and tore through the visitors with relentless pace and precision. Hooker Jacob Devery and flanker Devan Flanders crossed in quick succession before Cam Roigard’s intercept try and a solo effort from Peter Umaga-Jensen pushed the hosts out to a 26–7 halftime lead. The second half was one-way traffic. Umaga-Jensen added a second, followed by tries from Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Billy Proctor, Ere Enari, and debutant Tjay Clarke. Moana’s only response came from captain Ardie Savea, but it wasn’t enough to halt the Hurricanes’ charge as they surged past 60 points.
HURRICANES
- Tries: Devery (10’), Flanders (14’), Roigard (36’), Umaga-Jensen (40’, 50’), Tuputupu (61’), Rakete-Stones (67’), Proctor (71’), Enari (74’), Clarke (80’)
- Conversions: Love (11’, 15’, 37’, 40’, 51’, 62’, 75’)
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Tupou Ta’eiloa (6’), A. Savea (65’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (7’)
REDS CRUSH FIJIAN DRUA AS ANDERSON MAKES HISTORY WITH FOUR-TRY FIRST HALF
Queensland Reds 52 – 7 Fijian Drua (HT: 33–0)
The Queensland Reds stormed into finals with a dominant 52–7 victory over Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium, powered by a record-setting four-try first-half from winger Lachie Anderson. The performance marked Anderson as just the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby match, joining legends Joe Roff and Drew Mitchell. Anderson struck three times in ten minutes while Drua were reduced to 14 men following Iosefo Masi’s yellow card, and added his fourth via a pinpoint cross-kick from Tom Lynagh. Josh Canham also touched down in the first half, as the Reds controlled territory and tempo on a soggy Brisbane night. The second half brought more punishment. Filipo Daugunu scored off the bench and Joe Brial sealed the rout on the final whistle. Tom Lynagh was impressive with both boot and ball, converting five tries and saving one with a crunching defensive stop on Tevita Ikanivere. Drua’s only response came via a Haereiti Hetet try, but their ill-discipline and inability to travel continued to haunt them. The Reds now head to Christchurch for a quarter-final clash with momentum.
QUEENSLAND REDS
- Tries: Anderson (12’, 18’, 22’, 39’), Canham (30’), Flook (58’), Daugunu (75’), Brial (80’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (13’, 19’, 31’, 40’, 76’), Smith (80’)
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Hetet (44’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (44’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 16
With the regular season complete, the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs are officially set.
The Chiefs, Crusaders, Blues, and Hurricanes claim the top four spots and home quarterfinals, while the Brumbies, Reds, and two more sides round out the bracket.
Stay tuned for our full playoff preview coming later this week—and catch up on all the key Round 16 moments below.
Who impressed you most in Round 16? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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