Round 8 of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season features three matches across Friday and Saturday. We take a look at each fixture from a betting angle and offer up a suggested play.
FRIDAY
Crusaders v Fijian Drua — Click here to bet
The Crusaders sit sixth with three wins from six. They have won their last two, 50-21 away at Moana Pasifika and 29-18 at home over the Highlanders. They also picked up a strong 43-33 away win at the Chiefs in February.
The Fijian Drua have lost three of their last five. Their two wins were a 42-27 home victory over the Brumbies and a 25-20 win against the Hurricanes. Their two most recent matches saw them lose 6-21 to the Reds at home and 40-15 against the Blues away from home last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The Crusaders have a commanding record in this fixture at home. They won 31-14 in Lautoka in April 2025, and at Orangetheory Stadium they have won 49-8 and 61-3 in recent seasons. The Drua have won two of the last five meetings, but both came at their own ground.
Betting and Verdict
The Crusaders are 1.03 to win, the Drua are 14.00.
The handicap is Crusaders -25.5 at 1.91.
The Crusaders have beaten the Drua by 41 and 58 points at home before, and with the Drua’s poor away form, covering the line looks realistic.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Crusaders [-25.5] at 1.91.
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SATURDAY
Chiefs v Waratahs — Click here to bet
The Chiefs are fifth with four wins from six. They bounced back last weekend with a 24-14 away win at the Western Force after losing 24-33 to the Brumbies. They also hammered Moana Pasifika 57-24 at home in March.
The Waratahs enjoyed their best result of the season last weekend, a 30-28 away win at the Brumbies, but that came after three straight losses, including a 19-59 home hiding by the Hurricanes.
Head-to-Head
The Chiefs dominate this fixture at home having won four of the last five between the sides. They beat the Waratahs 51-27 and 39-15 at FMG Stadium in 2022, both wins by 24 points. The Waratahs’ only win in the last five came at their own ground, 21-14 in April 2025.
Betting and Verdict
The Chiefs are 1.10 to win, the Waratahs are 8.50.
The handicap is Chiefs -18.5 at 1.93.
The Chiefs have covered this margin at home against the Waratahs before, and a struggling Waratahs team looks ripe for the taking.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Chiefs [-18.5] at 1.93.
Reds v Western Force — Click here to bet
The Reds are fourth and in excellent form, winning four of their last five. They were thumped 14-52 by the Hurricanes last weekend but before that had won four in a row, including away wins at the Fijian Drua and Brumbies.
The Western Force have won just one match all season, away against Moana Pasifika in February. They have since lost at home to the Chiefs, and away to the Hurricanes and Highlanders. They are second-bottom with four points from six games.
Head-to-Head
The Reds have won four of the last five meetings with the Force. At Suncorp Stadium their record is perfect in recent years, winning 28-24 in March 2025 and 59-13 in May 2024. The Force’s only win in the last five came at their own ground, 40-31 in March 2024.
Betting and Verdict
The Reds are 1.23 to win, the Western Force are 4.75.
The handicap is Reds -11.5 at 1.87.
The Force have not kept it close against quality opposition this season, and the Reds at home have the firepower to win well.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Reds [-11.5] at 1.95.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
