The business end is fast approaching in Super Rugby Pacific and round 9 is set to paint a clearer picture of who’s on the way up as we get set for some huge local and Trans-Tasman derbies.
Check out the full picks and preview for the weekend ahead.
In another huge New Zealand derby, the Crusaders travel to Wellington taking on a desperate Hurricanes side trying to stay in touch with the top 6.
The home side will be confident having won 10 of their last 12 at Sky Stadium, however, have only won 4 of their last 10 against New Zealand opposition.
The Crusaders are flying in season 2025 and after a convincing win over the Drua in Fiji, they are looking to continue the trend and will welcome back captain David Havili at inside centre.
I do believe the Hurricanes can spoil the party here and it should be 1-12 either way.
I’ll take the Hurricanes to win and on the 1-12 margin.
The top of the table Chiefs meets the Waratahs who have lost two in a row but do return home where they are unbeaten in 2025.
The challenge doesn’t get much tougher than the Chiefs who have beaten the Waratahs in their last 8 meetings with the Waratahs last win coming against the Chiefs back in 2016.
The Waratahs are still missing plenty of star power and will need to muscle up especially in the tight five. On the other side, the Chief have made some big changes with Josh Jacomb back into the 10-jersey pushing Damien Mckenzie back to fullback.
It’s hard to back against the Chiefs in this one but I do like the Tahs to push them all the way.
I’ll take the Waratahs +16.5 on the alternate line, and I’ll take the over 58.5 total points in a attacking shootout.
Day time rugby at Eden Park is set to deliver an action packed contest with the Blues trying to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Moana has the chance to win three in a row for the first time in their history.
The Blues have won all four matches against Moana Pacifica with the average margin of 20 points but 2025 is a new look Moana side already knocking off New Zealand opposition the Crusaders and Hurricanes.
Expecting plenty of points in this one, Moana alone have scored 40+ points in three of their last four and the Blues have the strike power that can score from anywhere.
Team wise, Moana have made the big move to bring in Jackson Garden-Bachop into the starting lineup with Patrick Pellegrini onto the bench.
I think the Blues will have the extra class in this one and will lay the 14.5 points.
Saturday evening under the roof in Dunedin sees two sides that haven’t fired in 2025 and will be eager to get their campaign back on track.
The numbers don’t lie for the Drua having lost their last 20 games outside of Fiji by an average margin of 21.5 points per game. They also have never beaten the Highlanders in their history.
In the story of the Highlanders season so far, in seven consecutive matches, the final margin has been 9 points or fewer with only the 2 wins recorded.
Roster wise, the home side have Ethan Groot leading the charge up front but posses plenty of weapons out wide this weekend with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens back at fullback.
I think the Highlanders get the much needed win and I’ll take them -7.5 and look for livewire halfback Folau Fakatava for a try.
The final match of round 9 is an absolute cracker as the 2nd placed Reds meet the 5th placed Brumbies.
Tate McDermott will play his 100th match for the Queensland Reds back at home where they are unbeaten this season. They will be without powerful number 8 Harry Wilson who has been sidelined with a arm injury.
History suggests, the Brumbies have had the dominance over the Queenslanders winning their last three encounters including the 20-19 in the last meeting at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds have named Tom Lynagh back at flyhalf in what will be a huge match up against the current Wallaby 10, Noah Lolesio is.
The Brumbies arrive to Brisbane full of star power naming one of their strongest starting XVs this season with six wallabies in the starting forward pack.
This will be a tight contest to the very end and thinking it’s 1-12 either way.
I’ll take the Brumbies +2.5, and also take the under 58.5 total points.