Round 9 of Super Rugby Pacific delivered massive drama across the board.
From the Waratahs stunning the Chiefs in Sydney to the Crusaders surviving a late Hurricanes surge in Wellington. The Brumbies climbed into third place with a fiery comeback over the Reds, while the Blues, Highlanders, and Crusaders solidified their playoff pushes. With every match carrying postseason implications, Round 9 showed just how tight the table is getting.
- Hurricanes 24 – 31 Crusaders
- Waratahs 21 – 14 Chiefs
- Blues 36 – 17 Moana Pasifika
- Highlanders 43 – 20 Fijian Drua
- Reds 26 – 39 Brumbies
Here are all the recaps and highlights from Round 9:
CRUSADERS SURVIVE HURRICANES COMEBACK TO CLAIM NARROW WIN IN WELLINGTON
Hurricanes 24 – 31 Crusaders (HT: 10-19)
The Crusaders held off a furious late surge from the Hurricanes to earn a hard-fought 31-24 victory at Sky Stadium, keeping their playoff momentum alive. Despite being reduced to 13 men in the final minutes with yellow cards to Ethan Blackadder and Antonio Shalfoon, the defending champions dug deep to secure the win. The Hurricanes struck first through Peter Umaga-Jensen, but the Crusaders responded with a rolling maul try from Tamaiti Williams, followed by a first try for Moananu and a stunning solo score from James O’Connor off an overthrown lineout. Chay Fihaki added a third before halftime after a slick assist from Scott Barrett, giving the visitors a 19-10 edge at the break. Ioane Moananu crossed early in the second half to extend the lead, before adding a second from close range to make it 31-10. But the hosts refused to fold. Peter Lakai powered over to start the comeback, and after the Crusaders went down to 13, Umaga-Jensen darted over for his second. The Hurricanes camped in Crusaders territory with time expiring, but a massive defensive stand and a last-gasp maul turnover sealed the deal for the visitors, who remain firmly in the hunt near the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
HURRICANES
- Tries: Umaga-Jensen (9’, 73’), Lakai (65’)
- Conversions: Hohepa (10’), Harkin (65’, 73’)
- Penalties: Hohepa (22’)
CRUSADERS
- Tries: Williams (13’), Moananu (16’, 51’), O’Connor (31’), Fihaki (37’)
- Conversions: Kemara (17’, 52’), O’Connor (32’)
WARATAHS STUN CHIEFS IN SYDNEY TO CLAIM THRILLING UPSET WIN
Waratahs 21 – 14 Chiefs (HT: 14-7)
The NSW Waratahs delivered a heroic defensive performance to upset Super Rugby Pacific leaders the Chiefs 21-14 at Allianz Stadium, snapping an eight-game losing streak against the Hamilton-based side. Teddy Wilson’s try-of-the-season contender early in the second half proved decisive, as the Waratahs held out a relentless 28-phase Chiefs assault after the siren with just 14 men on the field. The home side started strong, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scoring a brilliant solo effort and Triston Reilly finishing off a slick team move. A disallowed try to Lalakai Foketi and a controversial Chiefs try to Leroy Carter kept the visitors within reach at the break, despite a yellow card to Gideon Wrampling for a dangerous hit on Suaalii. Wilson’s stunning 102-metre try—started and ended by the scrumhalf—put the Tahs 21-7 ahead, and despite Samipeni Finau narrowing the margin in the 63rd minute, the Chiefs were denied late by the Waratahs’ fierce defense. Dan McKellar’s men move to fourth on the ladder, preserving their unbeaten record at home this season.
WARATAHS
- Tries: Suaalii (19’), Reilly (24’), Wilson (45’)
- Conversions: Creighton (20’, 25’, 46’)
CHIEFS
- Tries: Carter (30’), Finau (52’)
- Conversions: McKenzie (31’, 53’)
BLUES POWER PAST MOANA PASIFIKA TO STAY IN PLAYOFF HUNT
Blues 36 – 17 Moana Pasifika (HT: 24-5)
The Blues claimed Auckland bragging rights and kept their playoff push alive with a commanding 36-17 victory over Moana Pasifika at Eden Park. It marked their fifth consecutive win in the rivalry and saw them leapfrog Moana on the Super Rugby Pacific table. The hosts came out flying, with Ricky Riccitelli opening the scoring in the fourth minute before Beauden Barrett produced a moment of magic—chipping ahead for himself and regathering to dot down a sensational solo try. Patrick Tuipulotu and Mark Tele’a added further first-half tries to give the Blues a dominant 26-5 lead at the break, with Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa grabbing Moana’s only response. After halftime, Hoskins Sotutu powered over to stretch the margin before Miracle Fai’ilagi’s try offered Moana a glimmer of hope. However, a rolling maul try from Kurt Eklund slammed the door shut. Kyren Taumoefolau’s late score gave Moana a consolation, but it was the Blues’ night in front of a home crowd. The defending champions now sit eighth and face a massive test next round against the table-topping Crusaders.
BLUES
- Tries: Riccitelli (3’), Barrett (16’), Tuipulotu (26’), Tele’a (37’), Sotutu (48’), Eklund (65’)
- Conversions: Barrett (27’, 38’, 49’)
MOANA PASIFIKA
- Tries: Tupou Ta’eiloa (31’), Fai’ilagi (58’), Taumoefolau (79’)
- Conversions: Pellegrini (58’)
HIGHLANDERS SURVIVE DRUA FIGHTBACK TO CLAIM BONUS-POINT WIN IN DUNEDIN
Highlanders 43 – 20 Fijian Drua (HT: 17-3)
The Highlanders weathered a thrilling second-half comeback from the Fijian Drua to secure a vital 43-20 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The hosts dominated the opening stages with debutant winger Taniela Filimone scoring twice inside the first 12 minutes, capitalizing on early line breaks and quick ball. Cameron Millar added the extras and a penalty before Thomas Umaga-Jensen muscled over just before halftime to give the Highlanders a commanding 22-3 lead. The Drua showed their trademark flair after the break, with Isikeli Rabitu and Simione Kuruvoli crossing to cut the deficit to just four points after a stunning solo try from Ponipate Loganimasi. However, a yellow card to Kuruvoli halted their momentum, and the Highlanders struck quickly through hooker Jack Taylor. Late tries from Tanielu Tele’a and Sam Gilbert ensured full points for the Highlanders, who now sit seventh on the Super Rugby Pacific table. The Drua remain in search of consistency ahead of next week’s clash against the Waratahs in Lautoka.
HIGHLANDERS
- Tries: Filimone (2’, 13’), Umaga-Jensen (40’), Lasaqa (44’), Taylor (60’), Tele’a (75’), Gilbert (80’)
- Conversions: Millar (14’, 46’, 76’, 80’)
FIJIAN DRUA
- Tries: Rabitu (41’), Kuruvoli (47’), Longanimasi (52’)
- Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (48’)
- Penalties: Armstrong-Ravula (38’)
BRUMBIES OVERPOWER REDS IN FIERY COMEBACK TO SEIZE THIRD SPOT
Reds 26 – 39 Brumbies (HT: 14-21)
The Brumbies surged back from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Queensland Reds 39-26 at Suncorp Stadium, securing a fourth consecutive win in this fierce Australian derby. The hosts exploded out of the gates with early tries from Hunter Paisami and Richie Asiata, racing to a 14-0 lead and forcing the Brumbies on the back foot. But Rob Valetini sparked the fightback with a powerful solo try, followed by further first-half scores from Tuaina Taii Tualima and captain Allan Alaalatoa to flip the momentum. Billy Pollard grabbed a second-half double in clinical fashion to stretch the lead, while Corey Toole sealed the deal late on. The Reds never stopped pushing, with Asiata completing a brace and Dre Pakeho adding one, but it wasn’t enough to halt the Brumbies’ dominance. ACT now leapfrogs Queensland into third place, showcasing defensive grit, clinical territory control, and big-game composure ahead of a crucial run-in.
REDS
- Tries: Paisami (6’), Asiata (20’, 46’), Pakeho (80’)
- Conversions: Lynagh (7’, 21’), Gibbs (80’)
BRUMBIES
- Tries: Valetini (23’), Alaalatoa (31’), Tualima (39’), Pollard (51’, 56’), Toole (80’)
- Conversions: Lolesio (24’, 32’, 40’)
- Penalties: Lonergan (73’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 9
Round 9 shook up the standings with statement wins and nail-biting finishes.
With the business end of the season approaching, playoff pressure is mounting—and every point now matters. Stay tuned as Super Rugby Pacific heats up heading into Round 10.
Who impressed you most in Round 9? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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