Round 8 of Super Rugby Pacific delivered key results that shifted the table and playoff picture.
The Chiefs reclaimed top spot with a disciplined win over the Reds, while the Crusaders cruised past the Drua to notch their first victory in Fiji. Moana Pasifika made history with back-to-back wins, the Blues held off the Hurricanes in a one-point battle, and the Force completed a comeback over the Highlanders in Perth.
Here’s a breakdown of every match from Round 8:
CHIEFS EDGE REDS IN RAINY SHOWDOWN TO RECLAIM SUPER RUGBY TOP SPOT
Chiefs 27 – 15 Reds (HT: 10-10)
The Chiefs returned to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table with a hard-fought 27-15 win over the Reds in wet conditions at FMG Stadium. Both sides crossed for three tries, but Damian McKenzie’s flawless goal-kicking proved the difference in a gritty contest. Luke Jacobson gave the Chiefs an early lead, but the Reds responded through Matt Faessler and Joe Brial, leveling the score at halftime. Queensland thought they had gone ahead through Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, only for the TMO to rule out the try. McKenzie slotted two penalties to push the Chiefs ahead before Samisoni Taukei’aho and Xavier Roe sealed the win with second-half tries. Tom Lynagh crossed late for the Reds, but it was too little, too late. The Reds will be left ruing missed chances, while the Chiefs continue to build momentum heading into the business end of the season.
CHIEFS
- Tries: Jacobson (3’), Taukei’aho (71’), Roe (79’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (4’, 72’, 80’)
- Penalties: McKenzie (27’, 57’)
REDS
- Tries: Faessler (19’), Brial (40’), Lynagh (80’)
MOANA PASIFIKA STUN WARATAHS WITH SECOND-HALF BLITZ IN AUCKLAND
Moana Pasifika 45 – 28 Waratahs (HT: 7-21)
Moana Pasifika produced a stunning second-half turnaround to crush the Waratahs 45-28 at North Harbour Stadium and notch their first-ever back-to-back wins in Super Rugby Pacific. Trailing 21-7 at halftime, the hosts exploded with six tries after the break, including a remarkable hat-trick from tighthead prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou. The Waratahs looked in control early, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii orchestrating three first-half tries, including a brace to Triston Reilly and one to Teddy Wilson. But Moana turned the tide in brutal fashion, running in five tries in a 15-minute onslaught. Sae-Ta’ufo’ou’s third, along with scores from Pellegrini, Havili, Inisi, and Tupou Ta’eiloa, left the Waratahs shellshocked. Patrick Pellegrini added five conversions to seal a statement win for the Pacific Island side. Moana’s dominance after the break continues to build belief in their most promising season to date.
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Sae-Ta’ufo’ou (32’, 44’, 52’), Pellegrini (60’), Havili (65’), Inisi (68’), Tupou Ta’eiloa (77’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (33’, 45’, 61’, 66’, 78’)
WARATAHS
- Tries: Reilly (5’, 23’), Kellaway (40’), Wilson (58’)
- Conversions: Creighton (6’, 24’, 40’, 59’)
CRUSADERS EASE PAST DRUA FOR FIRST-EVER WIN IN FIJI
Fijian Drua 14 – 31 Crusaders (HT: 0-17)
The Crusaders claimed their first-ever victory in Fiji with a dominant 31-14 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva. Will Jordan starred with three try assists, including a slick offload for Noah Hotham’s opener inside three minutes. Antonio Shalfoon and Chay Fihaki added to the tally in a clinical first half, giving the visitors a 17-0 lead at the break. Jordan’s influence continued after halftime, setting up Macca Springer’s eighth try in four games before Ioane Moananu crossed to seal the bonus-point win. Late tries from Isikeli Rabitu and Etonia Waqa gave the home fans something to cheer about, but the Crusaders had long since wrapped up the result. The win lifts them to second on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Rabitu (66’), Waqa (69’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (67', 70’)
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Hotham (4’), Shalfoon (18’), Fihaki (21’), Springer (56’), Moananu (64’)
- Conversions: Kemara (5’, 57’), O’Connor (65’)
BARRETT BOOT GUIDES BLUES TO NARROW WIN OVER HURRICANES
Blues 19 – 18 Hurricanes (HT: 10-10)
Beauden Barrett delivered a clutch performance to help the Blues edge the Hurricanes 19-18 in a tense clash at Eden Park. The veteran fly-half scored 16 points, including four penalties and a conversion, to sink his former side. Brayden Iose and Ngatungane Punivai crossed for the Hurricanes, while Blues prop Marcel Renata replied with a try from close range. Barrett’s long-range penalty in the 70th minute proved decisive, with the Blues holding firm in the final minutes—thanks to a crucial defensive effort from Barrett and Mark Tele’a, who bundled Kini Naholo into touch. The Hurricanes had late chances but couldn’t capitalize, as the Blues secured a much-needed win to stay in the playoff race.
BLUES
- Tries: Renata (38’)
- Conversions: Barrett (39’)
- Penalties: Barrett (18’, 27’, 44’, 67’)
HURRICANES
- Tries: Iose (32’), Punivai (61’)
- Conversions: Hohepa (33’)
- Penalties: Hohepa (23’, 36’)
TIZZANO INSPIRES FORCE COMEBACK WIN OVER HIGHLANDERS IN PERTH
Force 29 – 20 Highlanders (HT: 19-20)
The Western Force stormed back from a 13-point deficit to claim a thrilling 29-20 bonus-point win over the Highlanders in Perth. Carlo Tizzano continued his red-hot form, scoring his 11th try of the season and securing a vital turnover in the final seconds to preserve the bonus. After early tries from Jona Nareki and Sam Gilbert gave the Highlanders a 20-7 lead, the Force rallied through rolling maul scores from Tizzano and Brandon Paenga-Amosa before Mac Grealy finished just before halftime. Harry Potter’s try early in the second half shifted momentum further, with Sean Withy’s red card compounding the Highlanders’ woes. George Poolman added the finishing touch, capitalizing on a Max Burey break. The Highlanders were held scoreless for the final 53 minutes as the Force climbed to fourth on the ladder heading into their bye.
FORCE
- Tries: Tizzano (13’), Paenga-Amosa (37’), Grealy (40’), Potter (47’), Poolman (53’)
- Conversions: Donaldson (14’, 38’)
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Nareki (17’), Gilbert (20’)
- Conversions: Gilbert (18’, 21’)
- Penalties: Gilbert (11’, 26')
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 8
The standings continue to tighten after Round 8, with contenders separating themselves while others fight to stay in the mix.
The Chiefs and Crusaders look strong heading into the final stretch, while Moana Pasifika’s second-half surge was the standout storyline of the weekend. With more crucial matchups ahead, the race for the top eight remains wide open.
Who impressed you most in Round 8? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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