The Crusaders or the Chiefs? The Super Rugby Pacific grand final for 2025 is the last chance to get a tip right for the season but it’s all over as a contest for our expert tipping panel, and The Roar reader ladder.

The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran (61) will take an unassailable lead into the final round, while contributor PeterK also has 61 correct tips this season to lead his three nearest rivals by two points.

See how you are tracking here: THE ROAR SUPER RUGBY TIPPING LADDER

PeterK

Crusaders

My final tip is Crusaders. I chose them because of their record in finals.

Chiefs have beaten them twice this year though so it will be close.

However, Chiefs falter more in finals.

I think Crusaders have better forwards, and finals are tight, more like Tests, and forwards are more important than in normal round games.

Christy Doran

Crusaders

Thank you, thank you. It was nice to close out the season on top. Now, will the Crusaders? I think so. They’ve got an all-All Blacks front-row and four of the tight-five are regular Test stars. That counts in finals footy. If they get scrum dominance, that’ll help them in their quest to win another Super Rugby crown.

The Chiefs are hoping it’s third time lucky after consecutive defeats in the big dance. They’ve certainly got enough strike power and they’ve probably got the edge in halves, but it’ll all be down to that precious front-foot ball and who can take their chances.

The other thing that might help is that the Crusaders have had the extra day of recovery, plus they’ve been in the comfort of their home beds for another night or two. We can all appreciate that over the winter months.
Crusaders by 2.

Sevu Reece celebrates a Crusaders try. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Nick Wasiliev

Crusaders

Ahh well, hoping for a Canberra final backfired spectacularly.The Crusaders are at home. The Crusaders are close to full strength and don’t have eight players out (including two key All Blacks). The Crusaders have a 100% success record when it comes to home finals. 31 from 31. The Crusaders will be deserving favourites, and as much as it pains me to say it, they will win the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title.

Ben Pobjie

Crusaders

There are excellent reasons why both teams will win, but I suspect it’ll be one of those games where only one team wins. I could flip a coin but instead I’ll use the more scientific method of when in doubt, pick the ‘Saders. 

Hamish Bidwell

Chiefs

It’s the Chiefs’ final to lose, just as it’s been the Chiefs’ title to lose all season. We’ll see if they have they have the fortitude and accuracy to finally prevail this time. On talent alone, they’re easily 15 points better than the Crusaders.