Super Rugby Pacific, Round Three - teams and predictions

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PREVIEW: It's all about Culture as Round Three of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific continues to build on what is set to be another incredible season.

The season's third week is a Culture Round and begins in Auckland as Moana Pasifika returns home to face the high-flying Highlanders.

Fresh from an empathic 29-21 victory over defending champs the Blues, the Highlanders will be eager to continue their strong start.

However, it won't be that easy as they face a side that has shown plenty of resilience and flair in the opening two rounds.

Former Moana Pasifika player Timoci Tavatavanawai will captain the Highlanders.

"We know Moana Pasifika will bring plenty of intensity and passion, playing in front of their family and friends at their new home ground," Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said.

"Our focus this week has been on building on our momentum and executing our game plan, and we're excited to get another opportunity to deliver for our fans."

The other fixture on Friday sees the NSW Waratahs host the Fijian Drua in Sydney.

Waratahs will be without break-out sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who sustained a toe injury.

There are three fixtures on Saturday.

Brumbies travel to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs.

The Australian team will be out to bounce back after their narrow defeat to Western Force in Canberra.

For the Chiefs, it will be an opportunity to make another statement after their 49-24 win over Crusaders.

The Hurricanes face the Blues in Wellington, while the Western Force and Queensland Reds end the round in Perth.

It will be the Hurricanes' first home game and it is a big one.

A 24-year-old Kade Banks is set to make his debut at fullback, having previously worn the Blues jersey in 2024.

Hurricanes Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said: "We're excited to be back in Wellington and play our first home game at the stadium for 2025.

"It's Culture Round and we've had an enjoyable week connecting our different cultures."

He added: "Being the 2024 champions, the Blues will be highly motivated and demand a top-quality performance from us. We certainly feel inspired to play well and meet that demand."

Queensland co-captain Liam Wright will play his first game in more than seven months when he returns off the bench from a shoulder injury against Western Force

The 27-year-old flanker captained the Wallabies to victory against Wales in July last year before being cruelled by what was his eighth major injury in six years.

After a full Super Rugby season in 2024, he was convinced he'd done everything needed to stay on the field, so it was a massive blow.

"It felt like a heavy fall from grace," Wright said.

"You reach that pinnacle of being able to represent your country again after a long absence and ... to have it taken away again made this one really hurt.

"I'm just going to enjoy being back on the field again for all the minutes I get and keep working my way back to that same picture and go again."

"It's exciting, I'm looking forward to this (Saturday night in Perth). It's been a real journey this one, plenty happened in between it, so I'm just keen to get some footy under my belt again and get back with the team."

When Wright says it was a journey, it is no understatement.

"We don't really know what the underlying cause or symptoms of everything was," he said.

"We tried bicep tenotomies, we tried cortisones, we tried different stuff in the AC and the actual shoulder joint, all sorts of various improvements, but then any slight knock would just send it straight back.

"Eventually I decided surgery was the route to go and to do the best of both worlds - do the latest repair and an AC repair as well.

"We weren't really sure which one would hit the nail on the head, but we figured by doing both we probably couldn't miss.

"Even post-surgery there were just a couple dilations in there just to expand the capsule a little bit and make sure we can get the range back and the strength back. It's been some good weeks and some bad weeks in rehab, but I'm feeling really good and just excited to play some rugby."

The Reds have made several forced changes from the side that beat Moana Pasifika.

Former Crusaders flyer Heremaia Murray comes in at fullback for Jock Campbell (arm), and Dre Pakeho is in for the suspended Hunter Paisami.

The Force are undefeated and Wright said he was expecting a titanic struggle.

"It's a huge challenge. We found it tough to go over there last year," he said.

"They play with a lot of gusto and they're ready to go. They stick their head into a lot of rucks and make it a tough game for you."

The Crusaders have the bye this round.

See below for Round Three's teams and predictions!

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Friday, February 28

Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland - Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)

Prediction

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Danny Toala , 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Sione Mafile'o, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Samuel Slade, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Tevita Ofa.

Highlanders: 15 Finn Hurley, 14 Sam Gilbert, 13 Tanielu Tele'a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Caleb Tangitau, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Sean Withy, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Soane Mikaele Vikena, 1 Josh Bartlett.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Saula Ma'u, 19 Will Stodart, 20 TK Howden, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Cameron Millar, 23 Jake Te Hiw.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Marcus Playle

NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua
(New South Wales Stadium, Sydney - Kick-off: 19.35; 08.35 GMT; 20.35 FJT)

Prediction

Waratahs: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Henry O'Donnell, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jack Gordon (Captain), 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Triston Reilly

Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Ponipate Loganimasi, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Vuate Karawalevu, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Meli Derenlagi, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Joseva Tamani,, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila,, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Haereiti Hetet,.
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Etonia Waqa, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Kemu Valetini

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: James Leckie

Saturday, March 1

Chiefs v Brumbies
( Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Kick-off: 16.35; 03.35 GMT; 15.35 NZDT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Chiefs by 14 points.

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa'i (captain), 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAllister, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Daniel Rona, 23 Gideon Wrampling

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Ollie Sapsford, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Rory Scott, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Judah Saumaisue, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly

Hurricanes v Blues
(Wellington Stadium, Wellington - Kick-off: 19:05; 06.05 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Hurricanes by five points.

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Kade Banks, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Godfrey, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 DuPlessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Hugo Plummer, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Ngatungane Punivai.

Blues: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Cameron Suafoa, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Joshua Fusitu'a, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Cam Christie, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Cole Forbes.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Brett Cronan

Western Force v Queensland Reds
(HBF Park, Perth - Kick-off: 16:35; 05.35 GMT)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Force by five points.

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Reesjan Pasitoa, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20 Will Harris, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 George Poolman

Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Dre Pakeho,, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Sef Fa'agase.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Tim Ryan

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Jordan Kaminski
TMO: Graham Cooper

Sources: Super Rugby & AAP