Super Rugby: Round 1 Recap - Champions Crusaders lose NZ derby to Highlanders

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season began with a gripping southern derby under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, where the Highlanders edged the Crusaders 25-23 in a contest that swung dramatically across 80 breathless minutes. The hosts settled quickest, Cam Millar opening the scoring from the tee before Caleb Tangitau finished a sharp right-edge move to make it 8-0.

The Crusaders gradually imposed themselves through Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder and a combative tight five, and they struck back when Noah Hotham darted down the short side following a Sevu Reece break. Rivez Reihana’s touchline conversion and a late penalty handed the visitors a 10-8 half-time lead. Momentum shifted sharply after the restart. Millar and Reihana traded penalties before Angus Ta’avao burrowed over from close range to restore the Highlanders’ advantage. Moments later, a sweeping counterattack finished by Jonah Lowe pushed the home side clear at 22-13.

The Crusaders responded with authority. Will Jordan’s incisive running sparked a resurgence, and he sliced through from a scrum move to narrow the gap. Kemara’s late penalty nudged the visitors ahead 23-22, only for Millar to hold his nerve from long range with a minute remaining. A final Crusaders surge fell just short, leaving the Highlanders to celebrate a statement opening-round victory built on composure at key moments and clinical finishing when it mattered most.

Highlanders: 25
Tries: Tangitau, Ta’avao, Lowe
Conversions: Millar 2
Penalties: Millar 2

Crusaders: 23
Tries: Hotham, Jordan
Conversions: Reihana, Kemara
Penalties: Reihana 2, Kemara

The Waratahs pulled clear in the final quarter to secure a 36-12 victory over the Reds at Allianz Stadium, although the contest remained finely poised until the closing stages of an intense interstate derby. The hosts struck early before the Reds responded with one of the moments of the night.

Joe Brial showed sharp instincts to hack a loose ball deep into the corner, and Tim Ryan’s relentless chase forced the error and allowed him to pounce for a superb opportunist try. Despite losing Vaiuta Latu to the sin-bin late in the half, Queensland defended doggedly, with Fraser McReight central to repeated goal-line stands. Max Jorgensen’s long-range effort stretched the Waratahs’ lead, but Brial finished smartly from McReight’s deft pass on the stroke of half-time to narrow the deficit to 17-12 at the break.

The arm-wrestle continued past the hour mark before territory and possession began to tell. Lawson Creighton’s control from the tee and three late Waratahs tries — including Jorgensen’s second — ultimately broke the Reds’ resistance. While the scoreline widened late on, the Reds showed resilience and flashes of cohesion. However, a heavy penalty count and limited time in attacking territory proved costly as the Waratahs opened their campaign with a clinical bonus-point win.

NSW Waratahs: 36
Tries: Jorgensen 2, Halaholo, Kailea, Wilson
Conversions: Creighton 4
Penalties: Creighton

Queensland Reds: 12
Tries: Ryan, Brial
Conversions: McLaughlin-Phillips

Moana Pasifika produced one of the performances of the opening round to stun the Drua 40-26 at Churchill Park, with captain Miracle Faiilagi leading from the front in emphatic fashion. The visitors made a blistering start in Lautoka, capitalising on uncharacteristic lethargy from the hosts. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa struck early before Faiilagi crossed twice in quick succession as Moana surged into a 21-0 lead, silencing the usually raucous home support.

The Drua eventually found their rhythm, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre finishing a sustained spell of pressure, and Ponipate Salawa Jr. added another before the break. However, Tevita Ofa’s timely response ensured Moana carried a commanding 28-12 advantage into half-time.

Faiilagi completed his hat-trick moments after the restart, stretching the margin further and underlining his growing authority as skipper. To their credit, the Drua refused to fold. Ilaisa Droasese and Temo Mayanavanua crossed during a spirited revival that brought the deficit back to a single converted try.

Yet Moana’s composure held firm. Their defence absorbed wave after wave in the humid conditions before Ofa Tauatevalu’s late score sealed a famous away victory. It marks a significant statement to begin the campaign, while the Drua are left to regroup after surrendering their fortress to an inspired Moana outfit.

Fijian Drua: 26
Tries: Samusamuvodre, Salawa Jr., Droasese, Mayanavanua
Conversions: Valetini 3

Moana Pasifika: 40
Tries: Tupou Ta’eiloa, Faiilagi 3, Ofa, Tauatevalu
Conversions: Pellegrini 5

The Chiefs snatched a dramatic 19-15 win over the Blues at Eden Park, thanks to a last-minute score from All Black scrum-half Cortez Ratima. It was a tight, defence-heavy encounter for most of the 80 minutes. Early opportunities went begging for both sides, including a near-miss from Blues debutant Bradley Slater and a strong carry from Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i.

The first try finally came from Vaa’i, giving the Chiefs an early lead, before the Blues responded with Zarn Sullivan powering over, keeping the game level. The first half ended 5-5, despite a yellow card to Chiefs’ Kaylum Boshier. The second half saw both teams trade tries, with Dalton Papali’i touching down for the Blues and Samisoni Taukei’aho crossing for the Chiefs. Sullivan added a penalty to put the hosts briefly ahead, but the match was decided in the final minutes.

Ratima capitalised on a break from Samipeni Finau, sprinting clear to score the decisive try with just four minutes remaining. A late yellow card for the Blues’ Sam Nock and a missed lineout sealed the Chiefs’ comeback victory. This win gives the Chiefs an early boost in the Super Rugby Pacific standings, while the Blues will rue missed opportunities in front of their home crowd.

Chiefs: 19
Tries: Cortez Ratima, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i
Conversions: Jacomb 2

Blues: 15
Tries: Zarn Sullivan, Dalton Papali’i
Conversions: Sullivan 1
Penalties: Sullivan 1

The Brumbies powered to an emphatic 56-24 victory over the Western Force in sweltering conditions at HBF Park, running in eight tries in a ruthless second-half display. The Force made the brighter start, dominating territory and tempo in the opening quarter. Vaiolini Ekuasi crashed over from close range and Ben Donaldson added a penalty to establish a 10-0 lead after 20 minutes. Their direct running and width troubled the Brumbies early, but momentum shifted sharply after the first drinks break.

Charlie Cale struck first for the visitors, and Declan Meredith sliced through near the ruck to give the Brumbies a 14-10 half-time advantage. From there, the contest quickly tilted. Rhys van Nek burrowed over shortly after the restart before Ryan Lonergan added a try of his own following sustained forward pressure. Although Franco Molina finished a sharp counterattack for the Force on debut, the Brumbies’ attacking cohesion proved overwhelming.

Meredith grabbed his second, Corey Toole raced 60 metres untouched, and Cale completed his brace before Ollie Sapsford rounded out the scoring. The Force managed a late consolation through Carlo Tizzano’s rolling maul effort, but it did little to stem the flow. Clinical finishing and perfect goal-kicking ensured the Brumbies left Perth with a commanding opening-round win, while the Force were left to regroup after a punishing final quarter.

ACT Brumbies: 56
Tries: Cale 2, Meredith 2, van Nek, Lonergan, Toole, Sapsford
Conversions: Lonergan 5, Edmed 3

Western Force: 24
Tries: Ekuasi, Molina, Tizzano
Conversions: Donaldson 3
Penalties: Donaldson