Round 4 of the Super Rugby season brings us three days of entertaining clashes on both sides of the Tasman.
It’s a desperation derby between the Blues and Brumbies to kick off the weekend before the Aussie Derby between the Waratahs and Force headlines Saturday’s action.
Then it will be the James O’Connor Derby in Christchurch as the mercurial Wallabies playmaker will take on his most recent club the Reds in Crusaders colours for the first time.
Check out our tips and previews for all five games below.
Two sides who are yet to find their best form in 2025 meet in Auckland to kick off round four looking to secure their second win of the season.
The Brumbies have a terrible record at Eden Park along with the Blues defeating the Brumbies in the last 8 of 10 games.
The home side have made the call to move Beauden Barret into flyhalf for the first time since returning the club and they will be without number 8 Hoskins Sotutu has been suspended for three weeks.
The Brumbies have made 5 changes to the starting 15 with the David Feliuai the big inclusion at inside centre.
Most concerningly, the Brumbies have been struggling defensively leaking 40+ points in back to back games, the first time in their history.
Picking the Blues to find some form and cover the 10.5 at home.
The Drua head home after another heartbreaking defeat in round three as they hunt for their first win of the season.
They welcome back winger Seletino Ravutaumada for his first start of the season along with playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula back in the 10 jersey.
The Chiefs have made five changes to their forward pack along with Emoni Narawa getting the opportunity at fullback as they look to continue their unbeaten start to 2025.
Last time these side met at Churchill Park, it was just one point the difference in the 35-34 win for the Chiefs but since then the Drua have won 6 consecutive matches at the venue.
This is real danger game for the Chiefs and worth a play on the Drua moneyline but the Fijian Drua +9.5 is the play for me.
It’s a big game for Maona flanker Ardie Savea facing his former team for the first time since making the move and he will be desperate for the win after two defeats within three points to start the year.
Moana have last lost their last 20 consecutive games against New Zealand opponents, but the last win did come against the Hurricanes in 2022.
The Hurricanes will be eager to bounce back after last week with Harry Godfrey leading the charge scoring a try in his last two appearances and has scored 37 points in two games however the last five games away from Sky Stadium have been decided by eight points or less.
Moana do enough the cover the number +12.5
Two in form teams face off in another mouth-watering Australian derby.
The Waratahs will play their third home game to start the year and have a strong record against the Force winning six of the last of eight.
Lawson Creighton will get his first start for the Waratahs along with Ben Grant into second row with Joey Walton returning from Injury in the centres.
The Force welcome back their skipper Jeremy Williams in the pack as they look for secure consecutive away wins for the first time since 2017.
Carlo Tizzano has been the leading man scoring four tries in four games to begin 2025.
Expecting a grinding affair with the Waratahs just having enough class to win 1-12.
In a rare occasion for Super Rugby, it’s a Sunday afternoon fixture and what a showdown it is as James O’ Connor takes on his former side for the first time.
Fresh off the bye, the Crusaders will be up for this one eager to go on a winning run.
Dallas Mcleod gets the start at outside centre along with All Black Codie Taylor back in the mix.
The Reds will be without the Wallaby duo Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook due to suspension and injury respectively.
This has forced a reshuffle in the backline with Flipo Daugunu moving into 13 along with Harry Mclaughlin-Phillips getting the start at 10 in place of Tom Lynagh.
The Crusaders have won 13 of all their 15 games at home against the Reds but the Queenslanders did break a 12 game losing streak in this corresponding game in 2024.
Backing the Crusaders to dominate in this fixture and will be taking the -10.5