![The Blues beat the Chiefs in the 2024 final at Eden Park. The two sides face each other in Super Rugby Pacific round one in 2025 PHOTO: SIMON WATTS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2a9e9c_baa3dd217d5c4cd4bbb9723ec3409d0d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_555,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/2a9e9c_baa3dd217d5c4cd4bbb9723ec3409d0d~mv2.jpg)
Super Rugby Pacific 2025 kicks off this week in what is still summer for most people. The Blues are probably the overall favourites for the title again.
Game one is Crusaders v Hurricanes 7.05pm, Friday 14 February, Appollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch.
The Hurricanes have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific games against the Crusaders – by margins of just one and four points respectively.
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The Crusaders had a disaster of the season in 2024 and have too many injuries to name inn their side for the opening round. Although the Canes are missing plenty of names in key positions too.
Crusaders:
Tamaiti Williams 2. Ioane Moananu 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Scott Barrett 5. Antonio Shalfoon 6. Cullen Grace 7. Ethan Blackadder 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Taha Kemara 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Levi Aumua 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan Reserves: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. George Bower 18. Sam Matenga 19. Tahlor Cahill 20. Corey Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. James O’Connor* 23. Dallas McLeod
Hurricanes:
1.Xavier Numia 2. Jacob Devery 3. Tevita Mafileo 4. Caleb Delany 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Brad Shields (cc) 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc) 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cameron Roigard 10. Harry Godfrey 11. Kini Naholo 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen 13. Bailyn Sullivan 14. Fatafehi Fineanganofo* 15. Callum Harkin* Reserves: 16. Raymond Tuputupu 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 18. Pasilio Tosi 19. Hugo Plummer 20. Peter Lakai 21. Ereatara Enari* 22. Riley Hohepa 23. Ngatungane Punivai
Highlanders v Waratahs 9.35pm NZT, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Friday 14 February
The Highlanders have looked promising in build up matches, but the big worry would be depth if injuries hit the squad. Most interest will centred on the Waratahs on who is playing for them rather thn if the HIghlander can sneak a win in Sydney.
Co--captain Timoci Tavatavanawai has been huge in pre-season and is a dangerous player with ball in hand.
Highlanders :
1. Ethan de Groot 2. Soane Mikaele Vikena* 3. Saula Ma’u 4. Fabian Holland 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Lui Naeata* 7. Sean Withy 8. Hugh Renton (CC) 9. Nathan Hastie 10. Taine Robinson 11. Caleb Tangitau 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC) 13. Tanielu Tele’a 14. Michael Manson* 15. Sam Gilbert Reserves: 16. Henry Bell 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Nikora Broughton 20. Veveni Lasaqa 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Cameron Millar 23. Finn Hurley
Blues v Chiefs 7.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland Saturday 15 February
Off-season recruits Brodie McAlister from the Crusaders and Leroy Carter from All Blacks Sevens have both been named to earn their first caps for the Chiefs.
The Blues have won seven of their last nine against the Chiefs what is a replay of last year's final. Their side is strong across the field and in reserves too.
Blues::
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Cameron Suafoa, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Beauden Barrett. Reserves: 16. Nathaniel Pole, 17. Josh Fusitua, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Che Clark, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Fin Christie, 22. Corey Evans, 23. Cole Forbes
Chiefs::
1. Ollie Norris 2. Brodie McAlister *3. George Dyer 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5. Josh Lord 6. Simon Parker 7. Kaylum Boshier 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Xavier Roe 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo 12. Quinn Tupaea 13. Daniel Rona 14. Leroy Carter 15. Damian McKenzie Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater 17. Aidan Ross 18. Reuben O’Neill 19. Tupou Vaa’i 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Emoni Narawa
Moana Pasifika v Western Force, 9.35pm, HBF Park, Perth, Saturday 15 February
Ardie Savea as captain is huge boost for the side, not only in his play but also reputation for the squad as well. Can he help the franchise pick up more wins than last season?
Manawatū tight-head prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou who will make his DHL Super Rugby Pacific and Moana Pasifika debut.
Four other players in the starting lineup will make their Moana Pasifika debut, including exciting hooker Millennium Sanerivi, dynamic playmaker Jackson Garden-Bachop, Samoa Olympic Sevens star Lalomilo Lalomilo and former NRL Tigers winger Solomon Alaimalo.
Moana Pasifika :
1. James Lay 2. Millennium Sanerivi * 3. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou * 4. Samuel Slade 5. Allan Craig 6. Miracle Faiilagi 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Ardie Savea (c) * 9. Jonathan Taumateine 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop * 11. Kyren Taumoefolau 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo * 13. Pepesana Patafilo 14. Solomon Alaimalo * 15. William Havili Reserves: 16. Sama Malolo 17. Tito Tuipulotu * 18. Chris Apoua 19. Tom Savage 20. Ola Tauelangi 21. Semisi Tupou Tailoa * 22. Melani Matavao 23. Danny Toala