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WOMENS

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HSBC SVNS 2 2026
Sao Paulo

Thursday

12:00

Thursday

23:05

Super Rugby Pacific

'Can NZ sustain five teams?': Knives out on historic weekend for New Zealand Super teams

By Ben Smith

08 Mar 2025

Xavier Roe of Chiefs and Simione Kuruvoli of Fijian Drua scuffle during the round four Super Rugby Pacific match between Fijian Drua and the Chiefs at Churchill Park on March 08, 2025, in Lautoka, Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)

Round four of Super Rugby Pacific delivered a round of upsets with New Zealand Super Rugby teams on the wrong side of the ledger for the first time in 25 years.

The Blues, Chiefs, and Hurricanes all lost their fixtures and with the Highlanders on the bye week, only the Crusaders can prevent history from occurring on Sunday afternoon against the Reds.

According to New Zealand Rugby Database the last time all New Zealand teams lost was the year 2000, however this could be the 12th occasion in history where four teams lose and first since 2013.

Has only happened once before … Round 12 – 2000, all 5 NZ teams lost.
However, as the Highlanders aren't playing … 4 NZ teams have lost in the same round on 11 occasions.
Last time was in Round 4 – 2013. https://t.co/TD472eNSjR
— Rugby Database Stats & Info (@nzrugbydatabase) March 8, 2025

The Blues were gunned down by the Brumbies after holding a 20-10 lead at half-time at Eden Park, going scoreless in the second half as the Brums captured a 21-20 win.

The Chiefs were beaten in Fiji by the Drua, their first loss in history to the expansion franchise. However, the result as an ‘upset’ is questionable, as the Drua have proven to be strong at home since their inception.

The @Fijian_Drua now boast a 70% win record in Fiji.
12 of their 15 @SuperRugby wins have come at home.
Churchill Park, Lautoka – 8 wins from 10 games
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva – 4 wins from 7 games#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/In77Dkb1Ym
— Rugby Database Stats & Info (@nzrugbydatabase) March 8, 2025

The Chiefs first road trip to Lautoka in 2022 resulted in a great escape, scrapping by 35-34 to avoid defeat, while the Crusaders (twice) and Hurricanes have lost in Fiji already.

Moana Pasfika registered their second ever win over the Hurricanes, with a stunning performance in Albany to win 40-31.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? 🍿
Three HUGE shocks in Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific so far 🤯#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/p60EdyqrBT
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 8, 2025

Before the Crusaders match with the Reds, three of the New Zealand teams occupy the last three spots on the Super Rugby ladder.

Should the Crusaders win, they will move into 7th above the Drua but the Hurricanes and Blues will remain in the cellar after 1-3 starts to the year.

Australian fans were quick to dig the knife in after the Melbourne Rebels went defunct last year, reducing active Australian teams to four.

Can NZ sustain 5 teams? 👀 pic.twitter.com/x9FPXFZGv7
— NotEvensSteven (@NotEvensSteven) March 8, 2025

The blues and canes are a worry, for sure. They aren't playing well.
The chiefs losing in lautoka, the graveyard of the pacific, doesn't ring any alarm bells
— Sgt. Stumpy (@stumpy2121) March 8, 2025