The RugbyPass Round Table writers answer the big questions at the mid-point of the Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season.
The eighth round of Super Rugby Pacific saw Moana Pasifika create more history as the Chiefs and Blues battled manfully to wins in the Hamilton and Auckland.
Another barnstorming performance from young Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu caught plenty of eyes over the weekend, with the 24-year-old's contribution a key factor in the Crusaders' big win over the Blues.
The Crusaders bench has received a significant boost ahead of their clash with the Blues at Eden Park this weekend, with All Black Noah Hotham and veteran lock Quinten Strange set to return from injury.
The Crusaders will have the services of All Black Codie Taylor when they host the Reds in Christchurch this weekend.
After snapping a 25-year drought with a win in Christchurch last season, the Queensland Reds will look to repeat history when they take on the Crusaders.
The small fracture in Bell's foot is going to keep him out for the whole Super Rugby Pacific campaign, giving more opportunities to Moananu and New Zealand U20 player Manumaua Letiu.
The Crusaders have made minor changes to the team that beat the Hurricanes in round one ahead of their trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs in round two.
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has revealed the extent of the injury that kept All Blacks hooker George Bell out of the Super Rugby Pacific season opener on Friday night.
The Crusaders locked horns with the Highlanders in Invercargill on Thursday afternoon in a lung-busting game of preseason rugby.