Super Rugby 2025 predictions
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Just over two weeks out from the start of the season, so with things taking shape (pre-season won't show much - it never really does) I feel now is a great time to make some predictions for the year ahead.
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Under new coach Glenn Jackson, the Fijian Drua will lose their first 12 matches of the season, and Jackson's departure will be announced before the season's end. The boys will then rally for an all-timer win over the Western Force as they end the season 1-13, picking up the spoon.
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Despite their big name signings, the Western Weakness will live up to their name, dropping their last eight matches. Kurtley Beale and another couple of players will get in trouble for an off-field incident, as they finish 10th, only ahead of the woeful Drua
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Ardie Savea won't make as big an impact as some perhaps predict across the season, and Moana will still be quite poor, but they'll put it all together, picking up a famous win away to the Crusaders in March. They'll fizzle out through the year, but with a solid backline they'll win a few late, finishing a comfortable 9th
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The Crusaders should improve in theory - but they won't. A good end to the season lulled the red and blacks in, but Rob Penny remains a poor coach, and he'll lose the dressing room after the defeat to Moana. The likes of Taylor and Barrett will have their eyes on ABs duty, whilst the under-performing Sevu Reece and David Havili will probably spend too much time on the field. All Black Chay Fihaki will score six tries, picking up a hat-trick against the Drua, a double against the Force, and a consolation try against the Highlanders. Penny's departure will be announced in their bye week at the start of May, before they drop their final four matches. 8th.
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Injuries will hurt the Hurricanes, causing a slow start to the season, but with a decent draw they'll remain in the playoff hunt. Inconsistency will hurt them though, and they'll struggle in derby matches, meaning they narrowly miss out on the playoffs, despite a record-breaking win over Moana Pasifika in the final round, coming 7th.
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Joseph Sualii will be all the craze before picking up a season-ending injury after being cleaned up by Samipeni Finau in the middle of the year. The Waratahs strong squad on paper will see them steadily improve after a slow start, sneaking into the finals under Dan McKellar by winning four of their last five. 6th.
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The youthful Highlanders will start the season fast, and that might just be enough to see them sneak into the top six despite a tough ending to the season. Cameron Millar will steer them around the park expertly, and will bolt into the All Blacks due to a real lack of options. There will be some lows though, with a lack of depth seeing them drop a game or two when resting Folau Fakatava. 5th.
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The Brumbies ability to turn in good performances despite fielding second-rate Kiwis will miraculously continue, largely down to the insipid Canberra weather and their electric outside backs. They'll be impossible to beat at home, but will continue to suck away from home. They do have a good draw which helps their case for a 4th placed finish.
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No Wallace Sititi, no problem for the Chiefs, who will be a dominant force in the regular season thanks to Damian McKenzie. He'll have people saying he is the answer to the ABs 10 jersey with his stellar running game at the lower level, and he'll allow McMillan's men to get away with a lack of dynamic running the loose forwards. Simon Parker will bolt into the ABs, and despite a strong showing or two against the weaker sides, Josh Jacomb will be limited to bench cameos.
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Les Kiss will be the next Wallabies coach, and he'll show everybody why as the Reds go hammer and tong for the top spot in the regular season. The Junkyard Dawg will be undeniable on the end of a strong backline, whilst Harry Wilson's red headgear will make him look extra unstoppable for the Queenslander's. They will win most, only dropping a couple of away games. They will go unbeaten at home. 2nd - just.
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Stern Vern's men will need to evolve, but with a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a, they will rally. Tele'a impact will be limited, and combinations will be an issue in the backline, but by the end of the year Xavi Taele will be undeniable on the right wing and will be banging the All Blacks door down. Blues fans will be demaning Cotter becomes ABs head coach after the All Blacks fall in Dunedin to France, forgetting about their performance in the finals...
FINALS
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The Blues will thrash the Waratahs in week one, and the Reds will just about edge the Highlanders. In the Friday night game, the Chiefs will get it done against the Brumbies, though the latter will get a second chance, prompting the masses to moan about the finals format
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In the first semi-final, the Brumbies will yet again get pantsed on New Zealand shores, with the Blues storming into a home final. The Chiefs will try their best, but will be no match for the Reds
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In front of a sold out Eden Park, a controversial red card to one of the Blues' All Blacks will severely handicap them, and ultimately cost them dearly, with the Reds picking up a tight win.
OTHER PREDICTIONS
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There will be a straight red card somewhere along the line (As in a non 20 minute red card)
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James O'Connor will be the forgotten man, barely registering 200 minutes on the park, struggling with a niggling groin injury
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The new box kick law will be over-refereed at the start of the season, before slowly being forgotten about, as teams adapt by the end of the season
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Crowds will improve
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Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Who's everyone got in their top 6 for 2025.
I'm going:
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Brumbies
- Hurricanes
- Waratahs
- Crusaders
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Good to be bold. I certainly believe some of these more than I believe others. I am absolutely standing by the fact the Crusaders will implode though.
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Probably about time to reactivate the SuperBru Super Rugby thingamajig - https://www.superbru.com/superrugby/pool.php?p=12941310
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Good to be bold. I certainly believe some of these more than I believe others. I am absolutely standing by the fact the Crusaders will implode though.
With the Aussie sides getting stronger it makes for an intriguing season ahead. I think multiple scenarios could play out this year. A fast start doesn't mean eventual success. I think the following will happen:
- Crusaders will be better than last year and will make the playoffs but I definitely don't think they'll win.
- Hurricanes won't top the regular season table after doing it last year, but with Roigard back they've got too many strike players to not make the playoffs and the tight five is one of the best in the comp (finally).
- Highlanders, I think they'll promise plenty and win more than they did last year but ultimately they will fall short with a lack of star power.
- Blues will top the regular season comp but I've got a feeling they won't go back to back.
- Chiefs will win the competition and Sititi will make a surprise return in the playoffs to make a big difference.
- Others in contention:
= Brumbies being the Brumbies, they'll sneak into the playoffs but will lose to a kiwi side in NZ.
= Waratah's will keep key players injury free and will make it through to the quarters before losing.
= Reds will finish in 7th after failing to deliver on their potential.
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@Kruse said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
Probably about time to reactivate the SuperBru Super Rugby thingamajig - https://www.superbru.com/superrugby/pool.php?p=12941310
We are doing Super Rugby Fantasy this year so you might want to be involved in that instead. It should be a step up from SuperBru considering it's run by Super Rugby.
Once it launches I will be setting up a Ferners Fantasy league.
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/7150/fantasy-super-rugby/19
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you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a
Whilst all signs point to Sotutu leaving, I hadn't seen anything about Tele'a leaving (though I wouldn't be surprised)?
I think it was more of a prediction than anything.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Who's everyone got in their top 6 for 2025.
I'm going:
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Brumbies
- Hurricanes
- Waratahs
- Crusaders
How are you ignoring the Reds?
I also believe the Tahs will be much, much better than last year.
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@antipodean said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
Brave predictions, most of which will unlikely happen. I hope.
Who's everyone got in their top 6 for 2025.
I'm going:
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Brumbies
- Hurricanes
- Waratahs
- Crusaders
How are you ignoring the Reds?
I also believe the Tahs will be much, much better than last year.
Just a gut feeling that I have. I was tossing up between the Tahs and Reds but went with the Tahs.
Reds could also very well be in the top 4 but I just feel like they are going to get a bit of bad luck this year with injuries, and it will derail their season.
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.... Along the lines of O'Connor to Crusaders .... wasn't there another Aussie who played in Christchurch about 10 years ago?
Edit - I recalled, it was Digby Ioane.
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@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
oooh, now you've done it
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The Blues will finish the regular season in 1st place, the month of May for them consists of The Force, The Drua, Moana & The Waratahs. The Chiefs breakout players will be Wrampling & Daniel Rona forcing ALB to consider his future. Zach Gallagher of the Hurricanes will be getting AB shouts from fans after a strong season. Crusaders reserve halfback Kyle Preston will score the match winning Try at least once this season. Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor will score a hatrick sometime during the season becoming the newest cult hero. Moana will win at least 5 games with the loose forward trio of Mircale Fai'ilagi, Sione Havili & Ardie Savea being rated among the best in the comp.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
@mariner4life said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
you can pretty much pen in the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies to the finals, leaving one spot for most probably the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Crusaders to fight for.
And the Waratahs get to host the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which i think gives them a little advantage.
Penning the Canes in is a big call when they don’t have a first five or Jordie Barrett… they may lack a little in the outsides too.
The Canes will be fine, Cameron wasn’t exactly special last year at 10, we only need someone steady with the talent outside our 10 in that backline. Roigard is back as well which will take huge pressure off whoever runs the cutter. Higgins will be the big mover in NZ rugby IMO at 12, Jordie not a huge loss with the depth we have.
Our pack is the strength this year and we have two AB tight head props which is gold. You’re a brave man for picking the Landers above the Canes and Saders but I expect that’s more heart than head. Over a whole season I just can’t see the Landers staying with the other Kiwi sides, they just don’t seem to quite have the star power to me.
The beauty of this year is everything will play out one way or another. A few of us will be happy and a few of us will be planning for 2026 pretty early on if things don’t go well.
I absolutely own heart over head, but I do seriously think that if Cashmore doesn't click, it will cost the Canes. Like or loathe Cameron, I suspect you won't realise how important he was until you are struggling on derby games with the lack of a first five.
No coincidence the Highlanders, and the Blues before them, have been the weakest NZ sides because they lacked a 10. Having Jordie I think would have helped off-set that somewhat, and even if Higgins has a big year, which I agree he will, he does not have the kicking game Jordie has, or perhaps more pertinently the experience. I also think if Kini Naholo picks up an injury, the Canes could be a little light in the outside backs.
I think the Crusaders lack of a 10 hurts them too - it is the most crucial position by a country mile.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025 predictions:
- Stern Vern's men will need to evolve, but with a host of players heading offshore including Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a, they will rally.
I know they have plenty of good loosies but I'd add Akira to that list of influential players gone. Wonder how focused Plummer will be.
