The Roar Rugby editor Christy Doran gained bragging rights last week with the only tip of difference, to move one off the pace set by Ben Pobjie.

This week the three Aussie tipsters have all gone the same way, tipping close battles, while Kiwi Hamish Bidwell will either hit the lead or slip to outright third after a couple of brave calls.

SUPER RUGBY TEAMS ROUND 6

Christy Doran

Chiefs, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies, Force

It was a satisfying feeling last week, being able to sit back and relax knowing that regardless of the final four matches of the weekend, I had already beaten my colleagues. Old mate Gilbert missed and the Hurricanes won. Thanks for coming.

But there surely won’t be any of that in week six. The stakes are getting higher with every passing week. 

It already seems that campaigns will be made or broken by the outcomes this week – and I’m thinking that for the Blues, Force and Drua. Naturally, the results will also separate the tipsters too, because there’s barely anything in these matches.

So to the tips.

Even though I think Moana Pasifika are a chance against the Chiefs, the fact Clayton McMillan’s men went down a fortnight ago in Fiji means I think last year’s runner’s up will be up for this clash.

The loss of Fraser McReight and rest protocols for Ryan Smith and Tate McDermott certainly tip the scales in Dunedin. But I still think they might just have too much for the Highlanders, who are much tougher test than in recent years. This’ll be a high-scoring thriller. 

Liam Wright and Tate McDermott. Photo: Queensland Rugby

Vern Cotter’s men simply must beat the Crusaders to keep pace with the rest of the competition after a terrible start to the year. Injuries aren’t helping. They resemble the Crusaders last year. I’m tipping the Crusaders, whose forwards are warming into the season nicely. They’re well-balanced.

Super Saturday is completed in Sydney and for both sides there’s more than just a handful of points on the line. Reputations and egos are, too. The Brumbies come into the match sitting pretty. I’m still not convinced Ollie Sapsford is a No.12 – and that’s an area the Waratahs have to target. But do they have the quality to expose the Brumbies there? I’m not sure. Brumbies by 7.

I thought about tipping the Drua. I even had them in there for a moment. Their dreadful run on the road will end at some point. The loss of Murray at No.7 hurts. He whacks people, as evident by his high shot on Harrison Goddard. It’s a must-win clash for the Force and I think they’ll scrape home. It’ll be a Sunday beauty. And how good to have the match on Sunday afternoon, too. 

Nick Wasiliev

Chiefs, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies, Force

Moana will be better for coming off the bye, but the Chiefs are top of the ladder, and overcame a pretty solid effort from the Blues. While Moana is improving, I can’t see them matching that level of intensity.

This is a tough one. Highlanders are a good-looking side and competitive at home, but their loss to the Canes last week showed that depth is an issue for them, and with several players still out it’ll make for tough going.

On the other hand, the Reds are chasing history, having not won in Dunedin since 2013. They’re sitting in third for a reason though – and with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also back from injury, they should have enough here to win. In typical fashion this year though, it’ll be a thriller.

The Blues are in desperate territory now. A third of the season is gone, and their chances are slipping away.

Despite their loss on the road to the Chiefs, back-to-back wins at home will see the Crusaders come in with a lot of confidence. They will take this in a close match-up.

Ahhh, the match I look forward to more than any other on the calendar. I permit myself to go for the heart pick this week. There is only one answer, and that is the Brumbies.

After last week, it was clear the Force is targeting these next three weeks before their bye, and so they should. Perth is not a happy hunting ground for the Drua – their first and only win here was way back in 2018 – in the NRC. With four Wallabies rested and ready to rumble for the West, a vocal Sea of Blue should see the Force pick up their third win of the year.

Ben Pobjie

Chiefs, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies, Force

Moana vs Chiefs: It’d be great to see Moana spring a colossal upset, but the Chiefs are a machine, notwithstanding a scare against the Blues last start.

Highlanders vs Reds: The days of automatically assuming Australian teams can’t win in NZ are over…maybe. A bit. The Reds have a few outs but loved the look of them against NSW, and in Harry we trust.

Harry Wilson . (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Blues vs Crusaders: The Blues are flailing. The Crusaders look red-hot. I’d almost say these were perfect conditions for an upset, but the Blues’ nightmare injury list will seal their fate.

Waratahs vs Brumbies: No JAS, no hope.

Force vs Drua: The western lads have copped a right battering in recent weeks but will be happy to be back on home turf. Better sides than the Drua have struggled with the long haul to Perth, and it’ll be too much for them this time.

Hamish Bidwell

Chiefs, Highlanders, Crusaders, Brumbies, Drua

Would love Moana Pasifika to win, just can’t quite see it happening. Be bloody good for the competition if it did.

Really tight call this one. The Reds have been quite impressive thus far, but I just think home advantage counts for a lot.

This looms as a big test of who the Crusaders really are in 2025. The Blues will stop embarrassing themselves at some point and start embarrassing opponents and I won’t be shocked if that starts on Saturday.

Pretty clear cut, I think. The Brumbies are just better.

Logic says the Force. I should probably say the Force too. I’m going to let sentiment push me the way of the Drua.