Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific takes on a unique format this weekend with the Super Round, where all five matches are played at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
The Chiefs and Hurricanes sit level on 31 points at the top of the table after a dramatic Round 10, with the Blues lurking just two points behind in third. We preview each fixture and make a few suggested bets.
FRIDAY
Crusaders v Waratahs — Click here to bet
Back-to-back away defeats at the Reds, 26-31, and the Western Force, 26-31, have seen the Crusaders slide to sixth, but they return to Christchurch where they hammered the Fijian Drua 69-26 and beat the Highlanders 29-18 earlier this season and in their 1st game at their One New Zealand Stadium they will be keen to impress.
The Waratahs showed signs of life with a 29-14 home win over Moana Pasifika last weekend but remain inconsistent, they won 30-28 at the Brumbies but were thumped 14-42 at the Chiefs and 20-35 at home by the Blues. They sit 7th on the log but with a game in hand over the Crusaders.
Head-to-Head
The Crusaders won the most recent meeting 48-33 at the Waratahs in May 2025 and hammered them 42-18 at home in May 2023. The Waratahs did win 37-24 in Christchurch in March 2024, proving they can trouble the Crusaders on their own patch.
Betting and Verdict
The Crusaders are 1.12, the Waratahs 7.25 with the draw 41.00.
The handicap is Crusaders −16.5 at 1.87.
Two straight losses on the road will sting, but Christchurch is a different beast – the Crusaders scored 69 and 29 in their last two home outings and should be far too strong.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Crusaders [−16.5] at 1.87.
SATURDAY
Hurricanes v Brumbies — Click here to bet
The Hurricanes’ five-match winning run ended with a 17-22 extra time loss to the Chiefs last weekend. Prior to that, they were in dominant form, putting 42 on the Blues and 52 on the Reds.
The Brumbies are fourth but inconsistent, with three losses in their last five, including a shock 28-33 defeat to the Drua, a game where they started 23 point favourites.
Head-to-Head
The Brumbies have won three of the last five meetings, all in Canberra,37-33 in June 2023, 27-19 in April 2024, and 35-28 in June 2025. The Hurricanes won 32-27 at home and 35-29 away in April 2025. These two consistently produce tight but high-scoring affairs.
Betting and Verdict
The Hurricanes are 1.18, the Brumbies 5.75 and the draw 29.00.
The handicap is Hurricanes −14.5 at 1.93.
This game will be played in perfect conditions as the stadium is covered and I expect the points to flow.
Suggested Bet: Over 62.5 points at 1.91
Blues v Reds — Click here to bet
Eden Park was rocking last Friday as the Blues ran in 47 points in a thrilling 47-40 win over the Highlanders, continuing a strong home run that includes a 43-7 demolition of Moana Pasifika and a 40-15 win over the Fijian Drua.
The Reds are fifth on 22 points and capable of the spectacular, they beat the Crusaders 31-26 at home, but also the disastrous, having lost 14-52 at the Hurricanes and 19-42 at home to the Western Force.
Head-to-Head
The Blues have won four of the last five, 53-26 at home, 34-41, 45-26 and 24-31 away at the Reds. The Reds only win was 35-21 at home in April 2025.
Betting and Verdict
The Blues are 1.29, the Reds 4.00 with the draw 31.00.
The handicap is Blues −9.5 at 1.87.
The Blues H2H supremacy is hard to argue with. The Reds can score but leak tries at an alarming rate, and I am backing the Blues to cover the handicap on neutral ground.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blues [−9.5] at 1.87.
Bomb Squad Insurance
Applies only to bets placed before kick-off.
Qualifying Markets:
- Anytime Try Scorer.
- First Try Scorer.
- Last Try Scorer.
Single/ Straight bets only.
Pre Match Only.
Free Bets do not count towards this offer.
Refund must be claimed within 24 hours of the game finishing.
Refund limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Free Bet vouchers received must be used within 7 days.
Max refund per account per day in Free Bets:
Free Bets terms and conditions apply.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Bomb Squad’ within 24 hours of the game finishing.
SUNDAY
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika — Click here to bet
The Highlanders scored 40 at Eden Park last weekend but still ended up on the losing side, going down 40-47 to the Blues. It was their fourth defeat in five, the only bright spot a 39-19 win away at Moana Pasifika in March.
Moana’s season has gone from bad to worse with eight straight losses, the most recent a 14-29 defeat at the Waratahs and a 17-62 hammering at the Chiefs.
Head-to-Head
The Highlanders have won four of the last five, including the most recent match which saw them win 39-19 away in March this year. Moana’s only win was a 34-29 upset in Dunedin in May 2025.
Betting and Verdict
The Highlanders are 1.12, Moana Pasifika 7.25 and 46.00 the draw.
The handicap is Highlanders −17.5 at 1.95.
The Highlanders’ form is poor, but they have dominated this fixture and Moana’s eight-match losing run shows no sign of ending. The handicap looks well set for this game and although the points line is 64.5 I do not think that is high enough.
Suggested Bet: Over 64.5 points at 1.95
Chiefs v Fijian Drua — Click here to bet
The Chiefs moved to top of the log with a huge 22-17 extra time home win over the Hurricanes last weekend, their fourth straight victory. Before that they beat the Waratahs 42-14 at home as well as winning 24-14 at the Western Force and 62-17 at Moana Pasifika.
The Fijian Drua have suddenly found form, winning their last two, edging the Western Force 24-22 at home and pulling off a stunning 33-28 away win at the Brumbies last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The Chiefs have won three of the last four, including 50-17 and 46-29 at home and a tight 35-34 away win in Fiji. The Drua’s only win was 28-24 at home in March 2025.
Betting and Verdict
The Chiefs are 1.05, the Fijian Drua 12.00 with the draw at 61.00.
The handicap is Chiefs −23.5 at 1.93.
The line is big but the Chiefs are capable of covering and I am once again looking for a high scoring game and I am backing the Chiefs to score 45 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Chiefs over 44.5 points at 0.87
Click here for betting on all the weekend’s Super Rugby matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
