Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Super Rugby Pacific Round Five preview

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Following a slow start to their campaign, the Crusaders lived up to their ‘champions’ moniker with a vintage display against the Blues last weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

The title holders silenced their critics with a hard-fought win over the high-flying Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park, as they got their season back on track.

But as the sprots adage goes, you’re only as good as your last performance.

They’ll have to back it up with another vintage display in Round Five when they come up against one of the form teams of the competition.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

After knocking off the Blues, the Crusaders have returned home to Christchurch ahead of their highly anticipated clash against the undefeated Brumbies.

Make no mistake, both teams need to win on Friday. Harbouring championship ambitions, the Crusaders and Brumbies can make a statement at Orangetheory Stadium.

The pressure is on.

But that’s only the first of three trans-Tasman derbies in Round Five. The Chiefs have travelled to Sydney to take on the Waratahs, and the Force are set to take on the Blues in Auckland.

Crusaders vs Brumbies

When: Friday, March 24 at 7:05pm NZT

Where: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

ADVERTISEMENT

Crusaders: W-L-W-L

Brumbies: W-W-W-W

It doesn’t get much bigger than this. For two teams with championship ambitions, this Round Five clash simply means more.

The opening match of the round will put two competition heavyweights against each other in a potential dress rehearsal of this year’s final.

Rugby fans are rarely left disappointed when these fierce rivals go head-to-head – and considering what’s on the line, I doubt that’ll change.

After starting their season with two losses from three starts, the Crusaders reinstated their championship credentials with a tough win over the Blues at Eden Park last weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playmaker Richie Mo’unga starred for the title holders, as they silenced the home fans in Auckland with an impressive display. The champions won the highly anticipated rematch of last year’s final, but they need to back it up.

Enter the Brumbies.

Related

Australian powerhouse the Brumbies have been sensational to start the season, having won all four of their matches so far – including a tense win over the Blues.

The Brumbies are the real deal, and they’ll be eager to prove that in Christchurch. But the Canberra-based outfit are missing seven Wallabies for this week, including star halfback Nic White.

As for the Crusaders, they’ve only made two changes to their starting XV this week – but one of them is quite big, both in stature and reputation.

All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock has not been included in the team this week, with Zach Gallagher set to partner Scott Barrett in the second row.

Make no mistake, the Super Rugby champions will be crowed in June, but they’re made during the regular season.

Over to you, Crusaders and Brumbies.

Waratahs vs Chiefs

When: Friday, March 24 at 7:35pm AEDT

Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Waratahs: L-L-W-L

Chiefs: W-W-W-W

Playmaker Damian McKenzie will play his 100th match in Chiefs colours on Friday night when they take on an understrength Waratahs side in Sydney.

After coming off the bench during last weekends big win over the Rebels in Hamilton, McKenzie has returned to the starting XV.

The 40-Test All Black will start at fullback for the Chiefs, while the in-form Shaun Stevenson has been relegated to the bench.

All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Brad Weber are also set to return this week after being rested in Round Four.

The ladder-leaders have been brilliant so far this season, and will want to remain at pole position with another win on Friday.

As for the Waratahs, they’ll desperate for a win at home.

New South Wales have slumped to just one win from four starts this season, and another loss could be catastrophic.

As reported on Wednesday, the Tahs were aiming for a top four finish ahead of this year’s campaign, so a win is simply a non-negotiable in Round Five.

“Every game is important now,” captain Jake Gordons said.

Related

“Every game is always important, really, but definitely playing against a really good team tomorrow night – even last year they were the team that we really struggled with up front, containing their forward pack.

“So what’s important is that we match them physically. We need to do that, and then play some really quick footy.”

An injury crisis has made its way through the Waratahs’ squad though – although they aren’t using this as an excuses. Two debutants could potentially run out in sky blue at Super Rugby level for the first time on Saturday.

Highlanders vs Fijian Drua

When: Saturday, March 25 at 4:35pm NZT

Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Highlanders: W-L-L-L

Fijian Drua: L-W-L-W

Finally, Highlanders fans had a reason to celebrate last Sunday.

Following a disastrous start to their season – which included empathic losses to the Blues and Crusaders – the Landers returned to winning ways against the Force.

It didn’t come easy, but they showed their class in the final quarter en route to their first win of the campaign in Invercargill.

Midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen was impressive, while fullback Sam Gilbert stole the show with his elusive running game and accurate kicking off the tee.

But one win doesn’t gift the Landers a pass mark. They’re still tracking above par to start the season.

On paper, the Highlanders are set for another thriller on Saturday when they return to Forsyth Barr Stadium to take on the Fijian Drua.

The Drua are coming off a tough loss to the Reds in Brisbane, where they almost completed an incredible comeback on a hot Sunday afternoon.

After going down by a big margin, the Drua scored 21-points to the Reds’ three in the final 30 minutes, but fell three points short of the hosts’ score.

But they looked good in both attack and defence, and will take of plenty of confidence into their clash in Dunedin.

Related

Moana Pasifika vs Hurricanes

When: Saturday, March 25 at 7:05pm NZT

Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Moana Pasifika: L-L-L-L

Hurricanes: W-L-W-W

The Hurricanes are the real deal. Apart from their loss to the Blues, the Canes have been excellent this season – and will want to push on with another win in Round Five.

But they’ll have to do it without their star player.

Travelling north to Auckland, the Hurricanes are missing All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett for their clash against Moana Pasifika.

Barrett has been rested this week, and has used his opportunity to train alongside the Melbourne Storm and Richmond Tigers across the ditch.

But the Canes have named a star-studded line-up, including the in-form halves duo of Cam Roigard and Brett Cameron.

By his own admission, Roigard is coming off his “best performance in a Canes jersey” after crossing for a double against the Tahs last week.

Roigard has emerged as a genuine All Blacks bolter, but will have to push his case once again at Mt Smart Stadium.

Related

“”Thinking back, Nehe Milner-Skudder, he was a bolter as such so you do sort of start to think that maybe it is possible,” Roigard told RugbyPass.

“But I think if you do get caught up in that stuff you probably change the way you play in terms of probably playing a bit selfish.

“I’m just trying to play as well as I can for the Canes and hopefully win our Super Rugby title.”

Former All Blacks prop Owen Franks will return to the starting side for the Canes as Tyrel Lomax and Dane Coles are rested.

Rebels vs Reds

When: Saturday, March 25 at 7:35pm AEDT

Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Rebels: L-W-L-L

Reds: W-L-W-L

This is another tough game to call. Both teams are eager to win, and have shown plenty of promise throughout a tough four rounds.

The Rebels fought hard against the Chiefs in Hamilton, but were outclassed by a championship-calibre outfit.

Playmaker Carter Gordon continues to star for the Melbourne-based side, and will be hold the keys to the keys to their success again on Saturday.

Related

As for the Reds, they were quite good against the Fijian Drua last Sunday – for about 50 minutes. But rugby is an 80 minute game.

Brad Thorn’s team went to sleep for the last half an hour, and so nearly paid the price against the red-hot Drua.

Without rising star Tom Lynagh, the Reds will be eager to put in an 80 minute shift at AAMI Park.

Blues vs Force

When: Sunday, March 26 at 3:35pm NZT

Where: Eden Park, Auckland

Blues: L-W-L-W

Force: L-W-L-W

The Blues have made mass changes to their starting XV for their match against the Western Force at Eden Park.

All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane, Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papali’i have all been rested as per the national teams policy.

Midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also set to miss “at least a month” due to a hand injury, while prop Alex Hodgman has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Related

Inside centre Harry Plummer will captain the team this week, as he makes his return to the starting side. Plummer will look to steer the Blues’ ship alongside flyhalf Stephen Perofeta.

As for the Force, they’ll be looking to cause an upset this week against their under-strength opponents.

After falling to the Highlanders in Invercargill, the Force will want to avoid losing two games on the bounce for the first time this season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kubota Spears vs Saitama Wild Knights | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

O2 Inside Line: All In | Episode 6 | Le Crunch

The Unexpected Journey to USA 7s Glory | Aaron Cummings | Sevens Wonders

USA vs Japan | Full Match Replay

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Tackling reasons for drop-out in sport | Zainab Alema | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

j
julianaguido769 31 minutes ago
Bath player ratings vs Edinburgh | 2025 Challenge Cup SF

Malware attack, those two words turned my life upside down. In just minutes, 40 ETH vanished from my crypto wallet, stolen by an attacker who used advanced tactics to cover their tracks. I was in shock. Years of savings, gone in an instant. I contacted several well-known cybersecurity and blockchain forensics firms, hoping someone could help. But each one gave me the same grim answer: “Sorry, it’s untraceable.” It felt like the end of the road until I found (TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT). Unlike the others, (TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT) didn’t brush me off or offer false hope. Instead, they calmly explained their approach: deep blockchain analytics, behavioral wallet tracking, and a few proprietary techniques they’ve developed from years of experience in the field. They weren’t just talking, they meant business.Within days, they began tracking the stolen ETH across a complex web of transactions. The attacker had used mixers, layered wallets, and decentralized exchanges, trying to erase their digital footprints. But (TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT) followed the flow, detecting patterns and linking wallets through subtle behaviors that most firms overlook. Their team’s understanding of the blockchain's transparent yet intricate nature was nothing short of incredible. Through tireless investigation and real-time tracking, (TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT) managed to recover 39 ETH. That’s right out of the 40 ETH that was stolen, they got back 39. I couldn’t believe it. After being told over and over that my funds were gone forever, (TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT) brought them back.What impressed me just as much as the recovery itself was their professionalism. They communicated clearly throughout the process, providing updates, timelines, and even helping me understand how the malware worked and how to secure my assets going forward. It wasn’t just a recovery it was an education.(TRUST GEEKS HACK EXPERT) isn’t just another name in the industry. They are in a league of their own when it comes to blockchain forensics and crypto asset recovery. for Assistance support team is available Website (https://trustgeekshackexpert.com/) (E m a i l : info@Trustgeekshackexpert. c o m) (TeleGram: Trustgeekshackexpert)

1 Go to comments
M
Michael Rogers 2 hours ago
UBB - Northampton, finale aussi inattendue qu'alléchante

My daughter had warned me multiple times about the risks of crypto scams, but I never imagined I would fall victim to one. It all started when I came across an ad on YouTube for an “Ethereum mining pool” that promised high returns with minimal effort. Passive income was too tempting, and I didn’t think twice. Unfortunately, what I believed was a legitimate investment opportunity was a sophisticated scam. I lost 18 ETH, my entire retirement savings. The regret and despair I felt were overwhelming. It wasn’t just the money, but the fear of how I would secure my future. I did not know how to get it back or where to start. That's when a friend recommended Tech Cyber Force Recovery. At first, I was skeptical. After all, I had already lost so much, and I had no idea who could help me now. However, after contacting them, I was surprised at how understanding and patient they were with my situation. They assured me they had the tools and expertise to trace my lost funds, and I decided to give them a chance. Tech Cyber Force Recovery did exactly what they promised. Not only did they track down the funds, but they also uncovered the full scope of the scam operation. It was a complex network, involving multiple players across borders. The team worked tirelessly, collaborating with international exchanges and law enforcement to identify the culprits and retrieve as much of my money as possible. In the end, they recovered 17 ETH, 94% of what I had lost. What truly impressed me was their professionalism and compassion. They didn’t just treat me like another case; they treated me like a person. When they learned I was a retiree, they even waived part of their fee, which was an incredibly kind gesture. I was beyond grateful for their support and expertise throughout the process. If you’ve fallen victim to a crypto scam, don’t give up hope. Tech Cyber Force Recovery is a miracle worker with a heart of gold. I highly recommend them to anyone facing a similar situation.    Telegram   (@)techcyberforc    mail   Techcybersforcerecovery(@)cyberservices(.)com

0 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
Elegant or turbulent? Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?

That’s a good post, Sk.


I’m going to jump on this one; “Also the squad isnt exactly bursting with talent which you could confidently say will be there come 2031 especially when you consider how young players are being hunted by foreign clubs.”


That has to change for any coach on this planet to ever have a realistic chance of winning the Webb Ellis. Australia is in a unique position, bad one, of having so much competition for rugby talent, men and women. Rugby League exists in the north in the UK as a challenge, is to some extent a threat in NZ, but I would judge minor, present in France, but is not a serious threat. Big one here is AFL, which is unique to Australia. Soccer is another, which ofc exists worldwide. Actually soccer would take away a lot of world class talent in the UK as far as backs go. That is not often talked about, recognised.


I have a story one that one. I went to a senior school in Belfast, rugby only, and one of the kids, little guy, was a brilliant soccer player, a huge sport in N.Ireland. The big lads, Yr12/Sixth formers, always grabbed him to play in the little school yard games played at lunch break(tennis ball only, so no broken windows). Rest of us just played in our year group teams. The little guy did not want to play rugby, as that would have meant no Sat. soccer for him. So he left after First form, and went to a soccer school.


When we were about 15, we heard teh little guy was going over to Man. United to try his luck from apprentice level. He did well.


Oh yes, his name….Georgie Best. Just imagine if he had fallen in love with rugby, played 10/13/15 for Ireland !

19 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster
Search