Round 9 of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season features five matches across Friday and Saturday, headlined by a top-of-the-table clash between the Hurricanes and the Blues in Wellington. We preview each fixture and make a few suggested bets.
FRIDAY
Highlanders v Brumbies — Click here to bet
The Highlanders are eighth with three wins from seven and 14 points. They have won two of their last five, including a 39-19 away win at Moana Pasifika last time out, but were thumped 7-50 at home by the Hurricanes the week before.
The Brumbies are fourth with 20 points from seven matches. They beat the Chiefs 33-24 at home two weeks ago but lost 28-30 to the Waratahs last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The Brumbies have won all of the last five meetings. They won 27-21 in Dunedin in 2024 and 28-17 there in 2022, and also took all three in Canberra. The Highlanders have not beaten the Brumbies since 2021.
Betting and Verdict
The Highlanders are 2.10 to win, the Brumbies are 1.91. The draw is at 22.00.
The handicap is Highlanders +1.5 at 1.91.
The Brumbies dominance in the head-to-head is hard to ignore and their overall quality should see them through again.
Suggested Bet: Brumbies to win at 1.91.
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SATURDAY
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs — Click here to bet
Moana Pasifika are bottom with one win from seven and are on four points. They have lost five in a row, conceding 40 or more in four of those, as well as a 19-39 home loss to the Highlanders last time out.
The Chiefs are third with five wins from seven and have 22 points, winning their last two, 24-14 away at the Western Force and 42-14 at home over the Waratahs.
Head-to-Head
The Chiefs have won every meeting between these two sides. They won 85-7 at home in 2025, 50-35 at Moana’s ground in 2025, and 57-24 at home earlier this season. The average winning margin across the last four meetings is over 40 points.
Betting and Verdict
The Chiefs are 1.02 to win, Moana Pasifika are 19.00. The draw is at 81.00.
The handicap is Moana Pasifika +31.5 at 1.91.
The line is large, but the Chiefs have covered it in three of the last four meetings. Moana have lost their last four at home.
My preference though is to go unders on points with poor weather expected.
Suggested Bet: Under 68.5 points at 1.87
Fijian Drua v Western Force — Click here to bet
The Fijian Drua are tenth with two wins from seven and are on eight points. Both wins came at home, 25-20 over the Hurricanes and 42-27 over the Brumbies however, they have lost three in a row since, including a 26-69 hammering at the Crusaders last weekend.
The Western Force are ninth with nine points. They lost three straight matches before a surprise 42-19 away win at the Reds last weekend.
Head-to-Head
There is a clear home-ground advantage in this fixture. The Drua won 31-13 at home in 2024 and 38-7 in 2025, while the Force won 48-10 and 52-15 at their own ground. The home team has won every meeting between these two sides.
Betting and Verdict
The Fijian Drua are 1.57 to win, the Western Force are 2.70. The draw is at 26.00.
The handicap is Fijian Drua −4.5 at 1.91.
The home team has won every meeting in this fixture, and the Drua won by 18 and 31 points at home in the last two seasons. Covering 4.5 looks very achievable on a ground where they have an excellent record.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Fijian Drua [−4.5] at 1.91.
Hurricanes v Blues — Click here to bet
The Hurricanes top the table on 25 points, with five wins from six, with a game in hand. They have won four in a row, scoring 50 or more in three of those, and look the team to beat.
The Blues are second on 25 points from seven matches. They have also won four straight, including 40-15 at home over the Fijian Drua last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The Blues have won four of the last five meetings. They won 19-18 at home in 2025 and, notably, 33-29 in Wellington in March 2025, showing they can win on the Hurricanes turf. The Hurricanes only win in the last five came at home, 29-21 in 2024.
Betting and Verdict
The Hurricanes are 1.33 to win, the Blues are 3.65. The draw is at 29.00.
The handicap is Hurricanes −8.5 at 1.91.
This is the match of the round. The Hurricanes form is outstanding, but the Blues have won four of the last five H2H including one in Wellington. The 8.5-point line feels generous for a Blues side that has kept these encounters close.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blues [+8.5] at 1.91.
Reds v Crusaders — Click here to bet
The Reds are sixth with four wins from seven and 18 points, but have lost their last two badly, 14-52 away at the Hurricanes and 19-42 at home to the Western Force.
The Crusaders are fifth with four wins from seven and 19 points. They have won three in a row, including a dominant 69-26 at home over the Fijian Drua last weekend, scoring 162 points across that winning streak.
Head-to-Head
The Crusaders have won four of the last five meetings, including 32-12 and 43-19 at home in 2025. The Reds only win came 33-28 in Christchurch in 2024. Most recent meetings have been in New Zealand, so the Reds hosting could level things up.
Betting and Verdict
The Reds are 2.70 to win, the Crusaders are 1.56. The draw is at 26.00.
The handicap is Reds +4.5 at 1.91.
The Crusaders are in superb form, and the Reds have conceded 94 points across their last two losses. Even at Suncorp Stadium, the Crusaders look the stronger side.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Crusaders [−4.5] at 1.93.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
