We are at the halfway point of the regular season as 2025 continues to deliver, Round 8 sees some big clashes on display as we begin to see who the real contenders and pretenders in 2025 are.
Find our best bets and breakdowns for every game this weekend below.
In a huge top of the table clash, The Reds travel to Hamilton to take on the high flying chiefs in a monumental contest.
The Reds have won three of their last four regular season games against the Chiefs and are looking to win back to back games in New Zealand for the first time since 2013.
The visitors will welcome back Wallabies Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott into the starting lineup.
Meanwhile the home side have won 15 of their last 17 Super Rugby games against Australian opposition including their last five in a row.
The Chiefs have named close to full strength side and are fresh off the bye, not to mention the added motivation as Shaun Stevenson plays his 100th.
Taking Chiefs to win and I also like the under 56.5 total points in a tightly fought contest.
On the back of one of the biggest upsets in Super Rugby history, Moana is aiming to continue the charge as the Waratahs continue their New Zealand tour.
It’s almost a must win for the Waratahs as they look to win their first away match of the season and again have been forced to make wholesale changes to the side.
They do have Andrew Kellaway coming back, and he will start on the wing with Joseph Suaalii moving back to 15.
The home side have won their last two against the Waratahs with the men from Sydney being the only team in the competition that Moana has a winning record against.
Patrick Pellegrini will again be steering the ship in 10 jersey and has been phenomenal this season.
This could be a real let down spot for Moana from the highs of last week though, and the Waratahs will be hungry for the win.
I’ll take the Waratahs to win within the 1-12 margin.
After a string of poor performances, the Drua return to their home fortress, taking on Crusaders team who were embarrassed last week.
The Drua have lost six of their last seven Super Rugby Pacific matches, but they have won 10 of their last 12 games when playing at home including defeating the Crusaders in their last two regular season matches.
Coach Glen Jackson has gone with the Lomani and Armstrong-Ravula partnership in the halves with a big forward pack looking to dominate up front.
The Crusaders have named a team with a mix of youth and experience but do have electric duo Sevu Reece and Macca Springer who have scored 13 tries between them this season.
This should be another classic but a home side like the Drua getting points is hard to argue with.
Drua +5.5 with Ravutaumada to score a try.
Another fierce New Zealand derby is set to endure as a win for the Hurricanes could see them sneak into the top six whereas the Blues are having a season to forget so far on the hunt for just their second win of the season.
The one win the Blues do have was against the Hurricanes back in round three in the 33-29 thriller and the defending premiers have won their last four against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.
For the Blues, Beauden Barret makes his return in the 10 jersey with Blues hoping he will be saviour to the season.
Meanwhile the Hurricanes are gaining some momentum winning their last two keeping their opponent to less than 20 points in those wins. Cam Roigard has been outstanding this season leading in try assists.
I’ll take the Hurricanes to win by 1-12 and continue the Blues misery.
For the final match of Round 8, we’ve got the Highlanders heading west in a clash of two teams who are facing season defining moments in the pursuit of a win.
The visitors will be confident having won their last seven of eight against the Western force.
It’s been a frustrating season for the Highlanders who have lost four games by less than 10 points.
Roster wise, the teams are dishing out the best they have to offer as both sides looking to gather some momentum.
The Force are back at home having won six of their last eight at HBF Park scoring 40+ points in half of those matches.
Carlo Tizzano continues to dominate scoring 10 tries this season topping the competition try scoring tally.
Expecting plenty of points and 1-12 either way, I’ll lean with the Force 1-12 and taking the over 59.5 total points in what should be a real shootout.