Three changes have been made to help the Highlanders' chances against the Western Force in a battle of two teams with just three points separating them on the ladder.
Moana Pasifika donned their new 2004-inspired culture round jerseys, which showcase and pay tribute to the Pacific Islanders team that played against the All Blacks at North Harbour Stadium.
Former All Blacks Sevens and New Zealand U20 flyer Caleb Tangitau turned heads on debut for the Highlanders.
The NSW Waratahs have started their new era under coach Dan McKellar with an unforgettable 37-36 win over the Highlanders.
Seven players will don Highlanders colours for the first time this weekend as the team gets their 2025 campaign underway in Sydney.
The Crusaders locked horns with the Highlanders in Invercargill on Thursday afternoon in a lung-busting game of preseason rugby.
Super Rugby pre-season on both sides of the Tasman was in full swing over the weekend with Australian and New Zealand teams playing a handful of derbies.
A small but good crowd showed up on a sunny Friday afternoon and was treated to some running rugby from the two teams, trying to iron out the cobwebs ahead of the new campaign in two weeks.
In 2024, Super Rugby fans were treated to many breakthrough players from the New Zealand franchises. We saw Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi go from unknown, to World Rugby Breakthrough 15’s Men’s Player of the Year. Hurricanes props Xavier Numia and Pasilo Tosi burst onto the scene, putting themselves in All Blacks contention.