After Saturday evening, it’s a shut on one other Super Rugby Pacific common season, and what a season it was.
It was the very best, best, and dangerous season for a decade, and a number of the storylines had been simply wonderful.
The rise of Moana Pasifika was a bandwagon everybody jumped on, the autumn of the Drua was additionally a giant story, as was the resurgence of the Crusaders.
The Aussie sides loved a a lot better run, having been bolstered by the arrival of the Melbourne Rebels gamers, in addition to a swathe of latest signings.
Joe Schmidt has been given so much to consider forward of his Wallabies squad choice in simply a few weeks’ time, as a result of there have been plenty of spectacular performances this season.
Nonetheless, with ‘time period’ now over, it’s time to ship some report playing cards, and regardless of a superb total season from Aussie sides, this marking didn’t make for fairly studying.
ACT Brumbies A-
9-wins, 5-losses, points-differential+87
The perennial overachievers of Australian membership rugby have but once more confirmed all of the haters unsuitable with securing one other top-three spot heading into finals.
Many thought the boys from the bush capital would plateau in 2025, however in typical Brumby style, they discovered aptitude and a successful recipe of their well-structured methods.
The loss to the Crusaders within the ultimate spherical of the common season may simply as simply have been a win, proving they really belong within the top-three breakaway group.
Their common season, nonetheless, has on no account been easy crusing. The victory in Fiji with an understrength aspect in spherical 1 and the hoodoo-breaking win at Eden Park in spherical 4 had been large moments for the ponies, however a loss to the Waratahs a few weeks later put an actual dampener on their early cost.
Massive losses to the Chiefs on their NZ tour, in addition to the Hurricanes at residence a number of weeks earlier than finals, each result in emotions that the Brumbies might proceed to be the bridesmaids, after missing ruthless edge.
They completed the season as one of many highest scoring groups, when it comes to factors and tries. They had been in the midst of the pack for line breaks all season however struggled to beat defenders, owing to their directness in assault.
Their defence grew because the season progressed, and it seems to be like they’re lastly getting snug with defence coach Ben Mowen’s rush ways.
Their self-discipline was impeccable, ending the season as one of many least penalised sides.
Their breakdown work was additionally the very best in Australia, turning over plenty of opposition ball and conceding only a few turnovers themselves.
At set piece, they stabilised this yr after a rocky 2024. So far as the Brumbies’ ways are involved, that they had a ‘bash down the entrance door’ recreation plan all yr.
They went direct and attacked the center of the park repeatedly, attempting to get sides to buckle, earlier than they allowed themselves to go huge, usually scoring after sustained section strain.
New recruits Tuaina Taii Tualima, David Feliuai and Feao Fotuaika, all added ballast to this blunt pressure tactic, and had been astute signings by Stephen Larkham, however none of them supplied the go-forward lately departed Tamati Tua and Jerome Brown supplied.
It’s an space Larkham and his teaching workers might want to recruit for once more in 2026 if it’s a method they wish to pursue.
Regardless of being the Aussie aspect with the best seeding heading into finals, and regardless of nice seasons from departing Tom Hooper, Noah Lolesio, re-signed Nick Frost, James Slipper, and their stalwart captain Allan Alaalatoa, the aspect has nonetheless struggled at instances to deal with the ability recreation of the highest Kiwi sides.
General, a greater season than many anticipated, however nonetheless a powerful season for a group that’s nonetheless struggling to seek out that ruthless edge, an asset which the competition-leading Chiefs have in spades.
Queensland Reds B-
8W, 6L, PD+54
It’s been a season the place the Queenslanders fell in need of expectations, and the place their recreation administration was questioned by punters and pundits alike.
Hopes had been excessive amongst followers because the Reds had been the aspect with essentially the most pre-season video games, permitting the group to mattress down their recreation plan and ways effectively earlier than the season, however accidents hit the group laborious, and that took the polish off the star-studded roster.
Matt Faessler, Liam Wright, Josh Flook, Seru Uru, and Harry Wilson had been the largest losses for Les Kiss’ males all through the season, with Wilson now nursing a recent harm heading into the finals and the opposite three forwards nonetheless on the sidelines.
Flook, nonetheless, made a stellar return within the round-16 thrashing of Fiji, however his stand-in, 20-year-old Dre Pakeho, was among the best skills unearthed this yr.
The younger centre has uncooked stats to rival incumbent Wallaby centres Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau, and appears to have a shiny future forward with the Reds.
Within the forwards, Joe Brial has been the standout within the backend of the season, imbuing the pack with some much-needed starch, and supplied much-needed go-forward within the absence of Wilson and co.
Wilson’s prolonged absence meant his companion in crime, Fraser McReight, was nowhere close to his greatest in a season the place the Reds wanted him to be excellent, however his type has corrected course on the proper finish of the season, and he should show himself once more this weekend within the finals.
They completed the season as one of the vital correct goal-kicking sides regardless of constantly opting towards kicks at aim.
They largely sat in the midst of the desk for linebreaks, defenders overwhelmed, carries, and penalties conceded.
Their defence was their greatest saviour in a season the place the attacking finesse was just a bit off the mark; they tackled round 90 per cent in each recreation and missed only a few tackles.
Nevertheless, their breakdown strain with out the ball, their breakdown safety with it, had been each lower than scratch, usually shedding an excessive amount of ball on the melees.
Equally, their set piece was a shambles for big components of the season, significantly the lineout and maul.
Their scrum was stabilised by Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman, the previous has simply re-signed for the Reds, and it’s a essential one for Kiss and his males.
The Reds’ ways modified considerably all through the season. Early within the season, that they had a Harlem Globetrotters method, throwing offloads and tip-passing frequently.
This got here to a speedy halt after getting spanked by the Crusaders in spherical 4, the place the boys from Christchurch turned free carries and passes into counter-attacking magic, sending the Reds residence with a 43- 19 defeat.
After this, they started to restrict offloads and go extra direct, however in a group with new recruits and a protracted harm checklist, they had been usually inconsistent between video games and through matches.
Equally, a giant change got here late within the season as the boys from Ballymore hadn’t taken a single penalty aim shot till the second final spherical of the common season.
It was a technique that seems to have price them shut video games towards the Chiefs and Brumbies within the second half of the competitors.
Some might speculate that Kiss’s connection to the Wallabies’ high job distracted him for a lot of the season, and by the sounds of the discussions had between Rugby Australia and the Reds, it doesn’t seem to be a stretch to think about it did.
The Reds, just like the Brums, have lacked killer edge and a capability to ice the clutch moments. A late run of losses noticed them steadily lose contact with the highest three, and it’s a mirrored image of the divide at school between the highest three and maybe now the Hurricanes as effectively, and the remainder of the perimeters.
It’s been the Reds’ incapability to kick on from final yr that has taken the shine off this aspect’s picture; solely an upset win towards the Crusaders within the quarter ultimate may change the sensation of ‘what may have been?’
Western Force C
4W, 9L, 1D, PD-114
Optics, expectations, and the way they’re usually juxtaposed with the uncooked numbers are all a part of the theatre of sport, and the Pressure’s season isn’t any exception.
4 wins, 9 losses and a draw towards the Hurricanes make for very poor studying, however there was a unique feeling about this Pressure aspect.
As in most different years, the Pressure had been coping with plenty of roster turnover, which tends to imply the cohesion of the group is examined anew and in the end discovered wanting.
This yr, nonetheless, they began the season brilliantly, beating Moana Pasifika, the Brumbies in Canberra, after which having a 28-24-point thriller towards the Reds in Brisbane.
Nevertheless, as is the case with new combos, because the season drew on, the depth was examined, and but once more it proved too troublesome to go over to New Zealand carrying a load of accidents and untested combos.
The Pressure made their final stand in spherical 10 once they fought a vicious battle towards a hungry Hurricanes aspect in Perth, leading to a 17-all draw after the season’s first Tremendous Level.
Contemplating the shape the Canes at the moment are in heading into the finals, that draw seems to be much more spectacular.
The Pressure completed the season as one of many lowest point-scoring groups. They had been in direction of the backend as effectively for linebreaks, defenders overwhelmed, and carries.
They had been one of many worst sides defensively, regardless of often making essentially the most tackles every week.
This strain meant they had been one of the vital penalised sides and the vicious cycle of no ball, excessive deal with counts and poor breakdown strain meant the aspect may hardly ever get a foothold in video games.
So far as ways are involved, the Pressure initially seemed to be enjoying an excellent territory recreation, kicking lengthy, enjoying nothing in their very own half and backing their defence.
Initially, this was working; recent our bodies may maintain the persistently excessive deal with counts, however this naturally took its toll and ended up hurting them deep within the season.
Captain Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain had been two of the very best lineout operators throughout the competitors all season, securing their very own ball and stealing others’ throws at will.
Why coach Simon Cron and co didn’t change their ways is a thriller, as a result of their maul was additionally a weapon, which noticed them rating loads of tries.
Aside from the macro ways, the Pressure regarded very effectively drilled, had nice form and genuinely regarded like a aspect enjoying with freedom in a superb, structured assault.
And as for the gamers, it’s essential to begin upfront with Marley Pearce. Earlier than an injury-laden backend of the season, the younger prop was bashing over the gainline, tackling the home down, and scrummaging effectively.
Ben Donaldson at No.10 grew so much within the low season and below the tutelage of Schmidt, and he confirmed nice confidence in his skillset as soon as once more.
Usually, he was seen taking up the road, placing gamers by way of holes and staying in video games when the going obtained powerful.
Dylan Pietsch and Harry Potter each had distinctive performances on the sphere. Potter was extraordinary in the best way he noticed area, broke tackles and scythed by way of the strains; his simple type will see him characteristic within the Wallabies.
Nevertheless, nobody on the Pressure made a much bigger affect than Carlo Tizzano. The hometown hero was colossal for his aspect, his newfound carrying, passing, and help line operating had been out of this world, and he has been in relentless type.
The Pressure wouldn’t have accomplished in addition to they did with out Tizzano, particularly in this kind of type; he was talismanic for the ocean of blue.
Regardless of some genuinely top-notch seasons from sure gamers, the identical previous issues plagued this aspect, poor connection in defence, low breakdown strain, and, at instances, immature recreation administration, simply meant they had been by no means actually within the finals run.
With a swathe of re-signings, a maturing enjoying group and creating expertise, the Pressure look to make an actual push in 2026. However 2025 was only a rinse and repeat of latest years when it comes to roster turnover and instability, they’ll be higher for it heading into pre-season.
Waratahs C-
6W, 8L, PD-134
The place does one begin with Australia’s rugby homeland?
The very fact of the matter is that the aspect outplayed their 2024 selves significantly, solely two wins final yr in a season that was riddled with disappointment, 2025’s Tahs had been higher, past a shadow of a doubt.
Folks took the inflow of top-tier expertise as an automated key to success, however the issue on the Tahs has been their methods, not a scarcity of star energy.
The win towards the Chiefs in spherical 9 was a a lot greater deal than their win towards the Crusaders in 2024.
The table-topping Chiefs had been put below immense strain in a focused Waratahs assault, whereas in 2024, the Crusaders had been flying low, hit closely with accidents and coping with giant roster turnover.
As for the Tahs this yr, they managed to make their residence floor at Allianz Stadium a fortress for a lot of the season, however maybe it was the emotional load of getting to carry out at residence that left them depleted on the street.
Their away type was actually atrocious, copping beltings from Moana Pasifika, Hurricanes, Blues, Reds, and Brumbies.
Their win towards the Brumbies in spherical 6 was a really surprising upset, and it seemed that maybe they might combine it with the highest groups, however ultimately, it was a false daybreak.
So far as the season goes, they completed as one of many lowest level and check out scoring groups within the comp.
They carried only a few instances in comparison with many sides and made only a few metres with them.
This implies it can function no shock that the boys from Daceyville beat only a few defenders and made a number of the fewest linebreaks all season.
Their defence and self-discipline had been all middle-of-the-pack scores, and had it not been for the blowouts away from residence, their factors differential would even have regarded half respectable.
Their poor numbers on both aspect of the ruck and middling set-piece performances meant that they had only a few go-to weapons throughout the sphere, even the scrum struggled at instances.
So far as ways and participant roster go, the arrivals of Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and Andrew Kellaway didn’t ship the stark enhance many had been anticipating.
The Wallaby-laden aspect was closely depending on midfield crash balls, usually accomplished exceptionally effectively by the Tahs’ greatest participant of the season, Langi Gleeson.
The difficulty was, that they had no reference to their carriers, usually leading to low cost turnover ball for the opposition.
The brand new signings meant the Tahs had one of many greatest and heaviest packs, which coated up plenty of the cracks created by their predictable and one-dimensional assault construction.
Their X-factor gamers like Angus Bell, Gleeson, and Suaalii may use their distinctive expertise to get the aspect over the tryline, regardless of being well-marked.
Nevertheless, as quickly as a kind of gamers had been on the bottom, and the section rely obtained previous three, the Tahs regarded misplaced and confused, at instances operating into one another and slicing off operating strains.
A whole lot of work was accomplished within the dojo through the pre-season to get gamers loving contact, however even their defence faltered late within the season as a result of lack of strain being placed on opposition breakdowns.
The X-factor gamers and the brand new signings meant counterattack was the Waratahs’ greatest attacking weapon.
You solely want to have a look at the 120m attempt the Tahs scored towards the Chiefs to see that is clear as day.
So far as gamers had been involved, the emergence of Teddy Wilson was a welcome arrival by all Tahs supporters. Suaalii was clearly excellent, however he has so much to work on if he desires to play fullback at Check stage.
Leafi Talataina was an superior get from the Melbourne Rebels; his measurement and aggression shall be an enormous asset to the Tahs in seasons to come back.
Nonetheless, the group by no means felt like a unit, and questions should be requested in regards to the assault construction as a result of it barely grew all season and barely, if ever, delivered potent rugby.
The very fact is the Tahs had been saved and undone by their inflow of stars, however a brand-new teaching workers, after all, didn’t assist with the cohesion of the aspect.
If it hadn’t been for the six wins, you’d say flush the yr, however due to these wins, the evaluation and inside reflection nearly should go deeper.
The Tahs had been higher in 2025 than in 2024; that a lot is evident, however large shifts in how they see the sport should occur within the ways for 2026 if they’re to really kick on, as a result of not all their points had been on account of new gamers; some ways had been very questionable.
