The Roar’s Super Rugby expert tips and predictions round 12: ‘I’d tip the Waratahs – but that would be madness’

It’s a short round but a testing one for Super Rugby tipsters this week – with some fantastic match-ups on offer.

SUPER RUGBY TEAMS ROUND 13

Christy Doran

Blues, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies

Super Rugby has favoured the home sides in 2025. That might turn this weekend. I say might because I don’t have any confidence in selection this weekend. 

But I do think the evening game in Suva makes it a slightly easier task for the Blues, who need another win to continue their momentum and their run into the finals. The Blues’ pack should be able to match the Drua, but it’s the selection of Beauden Barrett at ten that has me tipping them. 

Few teams perform well after trips to Fiji, but I just can’t tip the Waratahs. Dan McKellar’s once again made changes and whilst many of them are welcomed ones, they still represent a team finding their feet under new leadership. The return of Filipo Daugunu is a good one, albeit Hunter Paisami is having a spell. The opening 20 minutes will decide this one.

I almost tipped the Chiefs, but I like the look of the Crusaders’ tight five and their backline. They’ve also had an extra week to deal with the loss of Taha Kemara. I’ve gone for the Crusaders at home – but it’ll be a beauty. 

The Brumbies don’t always travel well to Perth, and they’ve slipped up several times. Here’s a chance for them to make a statement and move into the top two. It’s a chance they can’t blow. It’ll be tight at half time, but I can see the Brumbies finishing over the top of the Force.

Nick Wasiliev

Drua, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies

It might be a short round, but this could be some of the toughest tips we’ve seen all season.

There are some real bangers in here – and critical clashes in the context of Aussie teams chasing finals.

The Blues might have smashed the Force, but they’re not firing right now and with Stephen Perofeta out, a trip to Fiji is looking much harder. It’s now time for some big swings with me so far behind in the tipping comp, and even with Etonia Waqa out and them playing in Suva, I back the Drua to have a slight edge this weekend.

Okay, I know the Tahs have not dropped a game at home so far this year – but it’s been a long time since round nine, and even with the bye in the mix, they look gassed. Andrew Kellaway has called for the Tahs to rally around Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – and he has a right to, the fullback feels like the only one giving them go forward right now.

Despite their big injury list, the Reds still look imposing, and should have enough to end the hosts’ winning streak in Sydney.

Damian McKenzie might be back, but winning in Christchurch is a tough assignment (except for Moana Pasifika it would seem). Aside from Blackadder’s omission, the men in red and black are looking pretty good, and with them fresh off the bye, they should have the edge.

The match of the round is in the west. I think the Brumbies are fully aware of how critical this match-up is for their season – they can leapfrog whoever loses in Christchurch into second place. This might be the most important game of the year for the Force, they always grow another leg at home, but after such a tough NZ tour this will test their conditioning and fitness. If they can win two of their last three games at least, that maiden finals dream is very much alive. Unfortunately, with one of those three games in Lautoka, they must target both their home games. We’ll have a close one, but I tip the men from Canberra to get their revenge. 

Ben Pobjie

Drua, Reds, Chiefs, Brumbies

Drua v Blues: The Fijians, as Queensland discovered, are fiendishly hard to beat at home. The Blues are in form, but less reliable than in days of yore. Feels like the Drua’s day again.

Waratahs v Reds: Tane Edmed returns, but sadly for him he is returning for the Waratahs, who are rapidly morphing from a rugby team into an avant-garde comedy troupe. I’d tip the Tahs but that would be madness.

Crusaders v Chiefs: Terribly hard to pick, but with DMac back and Wallace Sititi starting, I feel that that touch of class will see the Chiefs home, just (although anything could happen with Ben O’Keeffe, loveable clown prince of referees, in charge).

Force v Brumbies: As the season moves toward the pointy end some brutal wheat-from-chaff separation is going on, and I expect the Brumbies to demonstrate their steel in overwhelming the plucky but outgunned Force.

Hamish Bidwell

Drua, Reds, Crusaders, Brumbies

Good on the Blues for winning at home last week, but road trips don’t get any tougher in this competition than Fiji. I think the home side by 10 points.

As much as teams battle to win away, I can’t see the Waratahs mounting a stout enough defence to repel the Reds.

In the absence of Anton Lienert-Brown, I don’t think the Chiefs can defend the mistakes that inevitably come from playing enterprising rugby.

I’d expect the Brumbies to inflict a beating similar to what the Force suffered last Friday.

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