We’re a month into Super Rugby Pacific ’25 and I reckon we can now, without doubt and with absolute certainty call it the most exciting version ever.
Some may point to the earliest of days of the comp as the most thrilling, yes it was awesome watching Lomu, Cullen, Gregan and Eales.
The difference this year lays with the uncertainty of results, tightness of games and pace of play. The numbers back up the headline.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match ad free, live and on demand
16/20 games have been in the balance at the 70 minute mark. That’s excitement. That’s what gets the people going. The weekend gone was stacked with another bunch of upsets, phenomenal tries and crazy storylines.
Let’s take a look at some of the best with this week’s rapid recap.
BRUMBIES OVERCOME BLUES
Stephen Larkham’s last visit to Eden Park ended in season-ending tears at the hands of the Blues. His side were blown of the park in the semi final last year. It was 24-6 before the home team throttled off and cruised to a 34-20 win.
Less than a year on and ‘Bernie’ was glassy eyed for all the right reasons following the Brumbies’ dig-deep-drought-breaking last minute win on Friday.
The previous ACT team to win at the ground way back in 2013 included Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Scotty Sio and now assistant coach Ben Mowen.
Not for the first time, Ryan Lonergan was the match-winner with his boot when nailing a clutch penalty after a dominant Brumbies’ scrum.
Will have been interesting to see how celebrations played out with Matt Burke suggesting ‘Bernie’ might’ve gone ‘Barney’ following the upset win.
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WARATAHS ON A ROLL
The last time NSW won three straight to start the season was 2009. That sharp beginning saw them finish the regular season in fifth spot, which incredibly wasn’t enough for a play-off berth in the 14-team competition.
Their comprehensive win against a dangerous Western Force should give hope for Tahs fans who are slowly returning to the SFS.
A number of those on hand Saturday were also there as charity partners of the Tahs which included two of my faves Bear Cottage, What Ability AND a relative newcomer in Rio’s Legacy.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match ad free, live and on demand
Angus Bell of the Waratahs runs with the ball. Getty
Rio Fowler tragically passed away at just 18 months and his dad Ryan is now raising funds for another children’s hospice in NSW. As it stands, Bear Cottage on Sydney’s northern beaches is the only option for countless families doing it tough.
Ryan and his wife Karen are being supported by ambassadors Jeremy Williams and Dan Botha, who he formerly taught at high school.
It’s an incredible thing each of them are doing and they have a couple of signed jerseys up for auction to help with the fundraising. Head here. Do it for the Fowlers. Do it for Rio’s legacy.
IN IT UP TO HIS NECK
Injury denied us another look at Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii at Allianz Stadium but the bloke is all in for the club off the field.
Two weeks running he’s been sideline cheering on the Super W side and on Friday night positioned himself inside the coaches box for his team’s game.
Former Tah, now NRL rooster Mark Nawaqanitawase was back at the SFS watching his old side claim victory too.
REDS UP AND DOWN
The Queensland Reds were a yard short and a touch sloppy in their loss to the Crusaders however their women were terrific taking down Fijiana over in Lautoka.
It was a big win given the Fijians were too good for the defending champion Waratahs last week.
The match also saw a bunch of Aussie Sevens stars make their debuts. Bella Nasser, Teagan Levi and Kahli Henwood are all now on board the 15s train in a World Cup year.
PETAIA ON THE PATHWAY
I caught up with former Queensland Red and Wallaby Jordan Petaia for Wide World of Sports this week.
The electric outside back is now set up in Florida as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
I asked if he’s still flying the flag for union in the US and it turns out they’ve got a crew going who are hardcore rugby fans. Unsurprisingly Aussie Super Bowl winner Jordan Mailata is a big inspiration having gone through the same pathway.
The full interview goes to air this coming Sunday at 10am on Nine.
Jordan Petaia announces his decision to try and play in the NFL. Nine
JORGO JNR GOES GANGBUSTERS
Super rugby Pacific’s fantasy competition continues to go large and so did Max Jorgensen at the weekend.
The Waratahs winger topped the weekend with his two try performance (82 fantasy points) but BTP panellists Matt Burke and Morgan Turinui want more. His dad, former Wallaby, Waratah and NRL convert Peter Jorgensen’s celebrated his tries with the ‘airplane’ celebration and the boys reckon it’s time Jorgo Jnr pinched the celebration from the old man.
The way he’s going, he’ll be doing it a fair bit through the season.
TOSO DRUA TOSO
From the absurdity of being forced to travel in the back of a luggage truck to the awesomeness of taking down the ladders leaders, it’s been a wild week for the Drua.
The poorly treated Fijians copped the rough end of it on their most recent tour which rightly drew condemnation from former players and much loved countrymen Lote Tuqiri and Nemani Nadolo.
There was the luggage truck fiasco in Auckland, hotel dramas in Napier, supporters stitched up at Maclean Park amongst other issues, but they parked it to stun the chiefs in Lautoka.
The win keeps their season alive and was coach Glen Jackson’s first with the Drua against the Chiefs, a team he played 60 games for between 1999-2004.
‘Jacko’ said post game none of his players knew he’d played for them because none of them were born when he was. Kids these days…
The Fijian Drua team in the back of a truck to the team hotel. X
SWAINY ON ICE
Stan rugby commentator, producer and friendliest bloke in the game, Mr Andrew Swain, has expanded his portfolio even wider in recent months.
The 6’5, 115kg former lock has turned his sights firmly on representing Australia in the next Winter Olympics as part of the Aussie curling team.
As you’d expect, competition is tight for the right to represent at such a level.
‘Swainy.’ Is looking for qualification alongside his team ‘The Curlews’ who will compete for the Aussie title. In a strange twist, those championships will take place in Naseby, NZ, apparently the ice in Australia isn’t up to scratch. Who’d have thought?
Anyway, we’re all aboard the Swain Train and will be sweeping for them come the champs in May. You can follow the big fella and his fellow Curlews here.
See you on Tuesday night for Extra which is a Waratahs v Reds banger.
