Super Rugby Pacific fifth round included some unexpected outcomes as well as notable Australian team performances. In Perth, the Western Force upset the quickly rising Queensland Reds, and the ACT Brumbies triumphed handily over Moana Pasifika.
The fifth round saw victories for all six home-based teams, including two significant upsets: the Fijian Drua over the New South Wales Waratahs and the Western Force over the Queensland Reds.
Results from the tournament’s fourth round, which saw only one club playing at home—the Hamilton, New Zealand-based Chiefs—could be considered proof against home-ground advantage.
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Round Five of Super Rugby Pacific
The Melbourne Rebels take on the top-seeded Hurricanes in Palmerston North to start the match. While the NSW Waratahs will go to Fiji for the first time to play the Drua, the ACT Brumbies will play Moana Pasifika in Canberra.
The Western Force play the Queensland Reds in Perth, while the Chiefs play the Highlanders in Hamilton. The Blues-Crusaders are the featured team in this round.
All 2024 team list news can be found on Super Rugby, with each team’s list being released at 2:00 PM AEDT and 5:00 PM NZDT.
Super Rugby Australia Performer’s
- Santiago Medrano (Western Force)
- Tom Franklin (Western Force)
- Fergus Lee-Warner (NSW Waratahs)
- Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies)
- Carlo Tizzano (Western Force)
- Charlie Cale (ACT Brumbies)
- Nic White (Western Force)
Valetini was the Drua’s game-winning goal scorer in two of their home victories during the previous season. With three first-half tries, centre Iosefo Masi was another hero for the Drua on Saturday.
The Waratahs, who had battled from deficits of 26-10 at halftime and 33-17 in the middle of the second half to tie the game at 36-36 shortly before full time, were devastated by the defeat. In their past three games, the Waratahs have dropped a total of five points.
In extra time Rugby AU, both sides had opportunities to win; in the 85th minute, Waratahs flyhalf Tane Edmed squandered a chance to tie the score. However, the Drua ultimately prevailed in front of a jubilant home crowd. It was the first victory over the Waratahs for the Drua.
The Chiefs, who are headquartered in Hamilton, took a 28-0 lead and held on to defeat the 14-man Highlanders 28-21 later on Saturday. The Western Force won their first game of the season, defeating the Queensland Reds 40–31 in the round’s final game after scoring six tries.