An exciting Super Rugby season is drawing to a close with finals hopes on the line. Who are you tipping this week?

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 15 TEAMS

Christy Doran

Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Force

We’ve reached the penultimate round and this is the year that keeps giving. The six-team finals series has made it a compelling competition. Every point matters.

And who is to say the Highlanders can’t spring an upset, or certainly Ardie’s Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs? They’ve beaten every other New Zealand side, so why not Clayton McMillan’s men? 

That said, I’ve picked the Crusaders. The returns of Codie Taylor and Scott Barrett mean the kings of Super Rugby should be too good for the Highlanders. But it won’t be easy.

Speaking of not easy, the Reds’ home clash against the Hurricanes is the match of the round. I’ve tipped the ‘Canes and it’s because I like their physicality. It’s a beautifully-matched game because both teams show plenty of endeavour. The back-row battle will be fascinating. This is the match that could swing Test selections too, because the Hurricanes have a good scrum and play with so much physicality. If the Reds can win, Joe Schmidt will know he can rely on Les Kiss’ men.

Fresh off the bye, the Chiefs should know what’s coming with Tana Umaga’s men throwing everything at the Blues last week and winning the battle of Auckland. It should be a cracker. The Chiefs’ bench, especially in the forwards, has me favouring McMillan’s men.

The last match is a coin toss. I was leaning to the Tahs, but I’ve tipped the Force even though they’re coming back from Fiji. Simon Cron’s got some fresh men returning and that could help. 

Nick Wasiliev

Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Force

Okay, if I have any hope of coming back, I may as well go out on a limb here. Except in Christchurch. Highlanders are a good side, but they’ve unfortunately been a bit cooked since Round Ten. It’s amazing they could still make finals, but that doesn’t mean they will.

Crusaders should win big. The Reds’ casualty ward makes for ugly, ugly viewing, and by comparison, the Canes have a lot of momentum and a very imposing forward pack. The Reds backline will measure up and Harry Wilson is a welcome return, but I reckon the visitors will win the battle of the forward pack, and the game.

Harry Wilson. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Chiefs going full strength for this match really shows how much Moana Pasifika’s cred has risen this season. They should have enough to pull off a win here pretty convincingly, though, especially with William Havili also now out for Moana.

The only place I see the Waratahs having the slip on the Force is in the front row – but even then, I think the Force can stand up. It feels poetic after both their seasons have been derailed in the last four weeks, that the Force knock off the Tahs and end their slim finals hopes. If I can’t make it, then neither can you!

Ben Pobjie

Crusaders, Reds, Chiefs, Waratahs

Crusaders v Highlanders: It’d be grand to see the Highlanders spring a ginormous upset, but I fear it’s a vain hope. The Saders are gearing up for finals and they’ll see the Landers as a nice training run.

Reds v Hurricanes: Huge game for both, and the teams look evenly matched. Home advantage and my belief that Les Kiss will deliver when it’s needed most makes me favour the Reds.

Chiefs v Moana Pasifika: Ardie Savea overcoming three Chiefs? That’s possible. Seven Chiefs? There’s an outside chance. But 23 Chiefs? I’d like to see that!

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – MAY 17: Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika questions referee Angus Gardner on a disallowed try during the round 14 Super Rugby Pacific match between Moana Pasifika and Blues at North Harbour Stadium, on May 17, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Force v Waratahs: Mathematical possibilities be damned, this is a dead rubber. But the Tahs are the ones feeling the sting of public shaming, so expect a Tupou-powered consolation win.

Hamish Bidwell

Crusaders, Reds, Chiefs, Force

I’m not sure the Highlanders have the firepower to exploit the Crusaders’ occasionally porous defence.

I think the Reds will win, based on what they dished up in Canberra, but I really like how the Hurricanes are playing. Home team by a whisker.

The Chiefs should win this by a few, given their quality and my doubts Moana Pasifika can rise to last week’s level.

Given I have to pick one team or the other, I’m going to take the Force. Wouldn’t be shocked to see the Waratahs win, though.