Super Rugby Pacific continues to produce thrilling spectacles with the Brumbies rounding out Round 2 in incredible fashion.
But the show must go on with the Force eyeing their first win of the season against Moana, while the Chiefs and Crusaders meet in a Saturday night derby before the Brumbies play their first home game of 2026.
Good luck with your tips. Haven’t got a tipping comp together yet? Don’t worry, you’ve still got plenty of time, join ESPN Footytips today!
Friday, February 27
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, New Zealand 5:05pm (AEDT)
Moana: Glen Vaihu, Tevita Ofa, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi (captain), Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Chris Apoua, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleiva, Ola Tauelangi, Tupou Afungia, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
Force: Mac Grealy, Darby Lancaster, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Ben Donaldson, Nathan Hastie; Vaiolini Ekuasi, Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Franco Molina, Harry Hanson-Holmes, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson. Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa’agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Agustin Moyano, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
Officials: Referee: Paul Williams; Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey; Michael Winter TMO: Aaron Paterson
Prediction: This feels like a genuine coin flip to start Round 3. The Force were better against the Blues, but still beaten at home; while Moana were hammered in Wellington by the Hurricanes. The two sides played out a high-scoring thriller in Perth last year, which the Force won late. But maybe Pasifika in their first game at home for 2026? Pasifika by 3.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Moana: $1.55, -4.5 $1.90; Force: $2.35, +4.5 $1.85
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 7:35pm (AEDT)
Reds: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Carter Gordon, Louis Werchon; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Josh Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Adam Lennox; Lucas Casey, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, WillStodart, Rohan Wingham, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a.
Officials: Referee: Nic Berry; Assistant Referees: Jordan Way; Louis Trisley TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The Reds will be raring to go after a first-up loss to the Tahs and then the Round 2 bye, and a boosted here by the return of Harry Wilson and a first-ever club start for Carter Gordon. They certainly have the edge in Test quality on the Highlanders, but Jamie Joseph’s side have impressed early in the season, despite dropping their Round 2 clash with the Chiefs. If the Reds can rediscover their attacking best of 2026, they should be too strong. But they won’t want to give the dogged Highlanders a sniff. Reds by 7.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds: $1.68, -2.5 $1.90; Highlanders: $2.10, +2.5 $1.85
Saturday, February 28
Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji, 2:35pm (AEDT)
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Joji Nasova, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani (c), Elia Canakaivata, Motikiai Murray, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (capt), Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Cam Roigard; Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Hugo Plummer, Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stone. Replacements: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Ngane Punivai
Officials: Referee: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie; Maggie Cogger-Orr TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The Drua are back in Fiji and in dire need of a win, but the challenge isn’t simple here against the Hurricanes. Clark Laidlaw’s side have however suffered further pain at No. 10 with Brett Cameron joining Harry Godfrey and Ruben Love on the injured list. They should still have too much firepower for the Drua, so long as they can handle the heat of Lautoka. Hurricanes by 15.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Drua: $5.20, +13.5 $1.90; Hurricanes: $1.14, -13.5 $1.85
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton 5:05pm (AEDT)
Chiefs: Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (capt), Kaylum Boshier, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit. Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O’Neill, Samipeni Finau, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Tahu Kemara, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardner, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, Tamaiti Williams. Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louie Chapman, James White, Dallas McLeod
Officials: Referee: James Doleman; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle; Fraser Hannon TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: Who’d have thought the Crusaders would be 0-2 through two weeks, staring down the barrel of a third straight defeat. The Chiefs are rightful favourites even without Damian McKenzie for another week, with Quinn Tupaea proving particularly influential last week. The Crusaders are without Codie Taylor, but Leicester Fainga’anuku and Tamaiti Williams return to the starting side. Could that be enough to get them home? Crusaders by 2.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs: $1.28, -8.5 $1.90; Crusaders: $3.40, +8.5 $1.85
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Brumbies: Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Kadin Pritchard, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Lachie Shaw, Rhys van Nek, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Replacements: Bradley Slater, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
Officials: Referee: Angus Gardner; Assistant Referees: George Myers; Matt Kellahan TMO: Graham Cooper
Prediction: The game of the round comes from Canberra, where the Brumbies will be looking to roll their astonishing Christchurch win into more joy at home to the Blues. Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged side for the third straight week, while the Blues continue to be without Beauden Barrett. The Kiwis made hard work, at times, of their win over the Force, and will need to be much improved to get near the Brumbies, whose backs and forwards are working in perfect harmony, headed by in-form No. 8 Charlie Cale. Brumbies by 10.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Brumbies: $1.36, -7.5 $1.90; Blues: $3.30, +7.5 $1.85
