The penultimate round of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific regular season brought clarity to the playoff picture, with four of the top six spots secured after a weekend of thrilling action and standout performances.
The Hurricanes booked their playoff berth with a narrow 31-27 win over the Reds, who still have a strong chance of advancing after collecting valuable points in defeat. Meanwhile, the Chiefs crushed Moana Pasifika, the Crusaders edged the Highlanders in a gritty derby, and the Waratahs kept their season alive in dramatic fashion.
Here are the standout performers from Round 14:
Tom Christie (Crusaders)
Few players perform better in tight, physical contests than Crusaders flanker Tom Christie. In a bruising 15-12 win over the Highlanders, the Crusaders made a staggering 127 more tackles than their opponents — with Christie contributing 29 of them, the most on the field.
Christie also secured a crucial turnover at the breakdown, which led directly to a try by Tamaiti Williams in the 71st minute. Williams, who wasn’t even expected to play, went on to complete the full 80 minutes, making 14 tackles and anchoring the scrum.
In the final moments, Christie shut down a dangerous run by Highlanders winger Timoci Tavatavanawai and disrupted attacking play near a ruck and lineout deep in Crusaders territory. The Highlanders dominated much of the match but couldn’t close the deal, suffering their seventh loss by a converted try or less this season.
Notably, Sevu Reece scored a controversial 15th-minute try, taking sole ownership of the Super Rugby try-scoring record with 66 tries in 84 matches. He passed TJ Perenara (65), Julian Savea (62), Israel Folau (60), and Doug Howlett (59).
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
Unbeaten in the five games he’s played this season, Billy Proctor was instrumental in the Hurricanes’ comeback win against the Reds. The centre scored a try, gained 66 metres from 16 carries, beat nine defenders, and made eight tackles.
Proctor also played a key role in the late try by Fehi Fineanganofo, which gave the Hurricanes the lead for good. With the victory, the Hurricanes reached the playoffs for the 16th time and notched their 10th consecutive win over the Reds.
Proctor, who played two Tests for the All Blacks in 2024, may be in line for more national honours — especially with established backs like Rieko Ioane struggling for form.
Leroy Carter (Chiefs)
The Chiefs delivered a historic 85-7 rout of Moana Pasifika — the third-largest winning margin in Super Rugby history — and Leroy Carter was at the heart of the action.
A former All Blacks Sevens star, Carter scored three tries, made four line breaks, and gained 119 metres. He now has nine tries in 11 games this season and is pushing for All Blacks consideration.
Carter’s versatility adds to his value. Though he rarely kicks, he has experience playing halfback and was even used as a No.9 during Chiefs training. With Caleb Clarke underwhelming for the Blues, Carter could bring fresh pace and impact to the national side.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs)
In a stunning finish, Darby Lancaster scored a try in the 89th minute to lift the Waratahs to a 22-17 extra-time win over the Force in Perth. Lancaster showed skill and composure to beat two defenders and stay in bounds while diving full-stretch for the decisive score.
Earlier, he had scored another try and remained one of the Waratahs’ most threatening backs throughout the match.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak and kept the Waratahs in the playoff hunt. They’ll need to beat the Blues at Eden Park next weekend and hope the Hurricanes defeat Moana Pasifika.
Lancaster, who previously starred in Sevens and the U20s, had a breakout season with the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels in 2024. That earned him a Test debut in Australia’s win over Georgia in Sydney.
Notable Mentions
Carlo Tizzano of the Force continued his impressive form with 18 tackles and 12 carries. He leads the competition with 198 tackles and made history by scoring 13 tries this season — the most ever by a forward in a Super Rugby campaign. He broke the previous record of 12, jointly held by Malcolm Marx, Folau Fainga’a, Codie Taylor, and Hoskins Sotutu.
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