It’s that time of the year again, Super Rugby Pacific is back for another exciting season. The same 11 teams from the first two editions will be returning but this time round, there are plenty of personnel changes in the teams. There are still currently four Australian and five New Zealand sides to be joined by Moana Pasifika, and a Fijian side. The Melbourne Rebels are no longer in the competition which feels like a hammer blow for the other teams as mismanagement of finances can lead to expulsion from the tournament.
Super Rugby Pacific History and Format
Odds by Betway
| Date and Time | Event Name | Winner Odds | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-04-2025 05:00 | FC Osaka v Thespakusatsu | 4.263.431.78 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 07:00 | Fencibles United FC v Manurewa AFC | 3.204.001.87 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | CSM Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt v CS Concordia Chiajna | 3.553.301.94 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | FC U Craiova 1948 v CS Unirea Ungheni 2018 | 1.643.604.70 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | CSM Focsani 2007 v FC Bihor Oradea | 1.933.203.70 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | CS Corvinul 1921 Hunedoara v AFC Metalul Buzau | 6.004.101.46 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | Metaloglobus Bucuresti v SC FC Voluntari | 2.233.003.15 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | CS Afumati v CSM Slatina | 2.193.203.00 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | SFC Opava v FC Zlin | 1.624.314.15 | Bet Now |
| 18-04-2025 08:00 | FK Mlada Boleslav v Dukla Prague | 3.664.301.71 | Bet Now |
Super Rugby began in 1995 with 10 teams and later grew to 18 teams in the 2016-2017 season before the organisers decided that the tournament duration was too long. This resulted in three teams being cut from the roster and the tournament being renamed the Super XV. The Covid pandemic saw the end of the South African and Argentina teams participation in the competition. In August 2021 a 12-team format was confirmed, with the addition of the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, a team representing the Pacific islands. The tournament from 2022 was named Super Rugby Pacific.
Expert advice for your Super Rugby predictions
Predicting the results of the Super Rugby matches is not an easy task and there are many things to consider before the match begins. Here are some of the key factors that will influence the outcome of a match. Our rugby experts have taken the time to discuss these factors in more detail.
The location of the match
The location of the match will be crucial as the home team certainly has the edge over the visiting opposition. Some teams have excellent home records but the obvious exception is Moana Pasifika who have been poor at home. The Blues and the Fijian Drua have built fortresses at home and seldom lose on their home turf. The Drua in particular have won almost no matches on the road but only lost one home match in the entire season.
The form of the teams
The Super Rugby competition is like any other sporting league where the form of the teams are vital in predicting the outcome of the match. It is important to also note that injuries to key players have a huge impact on the team. If Damian McKenzie is out for the Chiefs, they have fallen to some shock defeats without their star man.
The playing style of the teams involved
Most of the in Super Rugby are free scoring with Moana springing to mind led by the mercurial Ardie Savea. They like to play a running game but the results are not always in their favour. They usually score lots of points but unfortunately they also conceded plenty of tries. The Over points bet is usually a winner when they play.
The usual tactics
The tactics of each team is different and it’s a good idea to know the two teams well before the match starts so you can make a more informed decision before you bet. It will be helpful to know that the Blues favour the set scrum and rolling maul and what is the scrum strength of their opponents? Or can the Crusaders use their kick and chase game to good effect against a team who are notoriously excellent under the high ball?
Biggest Transfers of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific
Each season there are plenty of movements between teams and 2025 is no different. We have identified the biggest transfers ahead of the new season.
Ardie Savea, Moana Pasifika
The 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year, New Zealand captain and former Hurricanes standout has joined Moana on a three-year deal, with the 31-year-old back-rower returning to Super Rugby in a stunning twist after a yearlong sabbatical playing in Japan. Moana has never finished higher than 11th in the Super Rugby table, but Savea frequently has stated that his move to fellow All Black legend Tana Umaga’s squad isn’t about silverware but rather about improving the team.
Beauden Barrett, Blues
The Blues originally tried to bring back for their playoff run last season, but World Rugby regulations denied the chance for the fly-half to return just in time for the knockout rounds. This did not matter much as the Blues eventually won the 2024 Super Rugby title anyway. Now officially back in Auckland, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time will be looking to assist in spearheading the Blues to what could be back-to-back titles, which would be the club’s first time doing so since 1996-1997.
Joseph Sua’ali’i, Waratahs
If you exclusively follow rugby union, the name Joseph Sua’ali’i hasn’t had much impact on your life before the past few months. But if the hype is indeed real behind the 21-year-old Sua’ali’i, an electric wing rugby league prodigy who will give it a go in Super Rugby with the Waratahs in 2025, he could be the driving force behind one of Super Rugby’s best Australian sides in quite some time.
James O’Connor, Crusaders
Things went sharply south for the Crusaders in 2024 as the Christchurch-based side which won every proper Super Rugby championship from 2017-2023 and two pandemic-caused, titles in 2020 and 2021, saw coach Scott Robertson leave his post to lead the All Blacks after 2023, and their form dropped drastically, shockingly finishing ninth in last year’s table and missing the playoffs entirely. This has resulted in them signing Aussie veteran James O’Connor to add much needed experience to the team.
Favourites for the 2025 Title: Chiefs
The 2024 losing finalists start the tournament as the favourite for me as they will look to go one better than season. They will face stern opposition from the champions Blues team but they seem to have the most rounded squad. The Chiefs ability to switch from a forward dominated gameplan to a running game is superb and that is what will be needed especially in the knockout rounds. The Blues will always be a contender with a side that is packed with All Blacks like Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea.
The outsider for the tournament: Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been the franchise that has lost the most All Blacks in the last few seasons with the likes of the Barrett brothers, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara all departing. Despite this they still remain super competitive and have dangerous players across the park led by the young Cam Roigard and the powerful hooker Asafa Aumua. They have a few injury concerns to start the season but if they can get through the first few rounds fairly unscathed, then they will be the dark horses in the knockout part of the tournament.
Contenders for the wooden spoon
Moana are being tipped to claim the wooden spoon but the signing of the great Ardie Savea could save them from this fate. Last season they finished second bottom only ahead of the Waratahs. The Aussie franchise have invested heavily in signing some big name players and will be among the favourites to make the playoffs. The Drua is another team that struggles in the competition but they have the luxury of winning most of their home matches in the heat of Suva. Despite the presence of Savea, Moana is my favorite to finish at the bottom of the log.
The latest odds on the outright winner for 2025 Super Rugby Pacific
Chiefs 2.90
Blues 2.63
Crusaders 7.50
Hurricanes 8.90
Reds 10.75
Waratahs 11.75
Brumbies 12.50
Fijian Drua 41.00
Highlanders 41.00
Western Force 56.50
Moana Pasifika 281.70
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