Super Rugby Pacific 2025
- Thread starter rugbyAU
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Australian teams won 27.5 games out of 56 in 2025 for a winning percentage of 49.1%.
In 2024, Australian teams won 31 games out of 70 for a winning percentage of 44.3%.
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
If we use the infamous chart that made the Future of Rugby Union in Australia report to the senate in 2017
2024 average rank was 7.6 out of 12
2025 average rank was 6 out of 11
2024 average rank was 7.6 out of 12
2025 average rank was 6 out of 11
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
With the completion of the preliminary (all teams in) rounds of SR25, I had a look at which players were given their debuts by the respective Aussie sides during the year. While quite a few of them only had one ot two starts, some others had a busy schedule and are likely to be long term players for their clubs.
By franchise, these are the new players this year:
Brumbies :
Lington Ieli - 20yo LHP, played 5 games from the bench for 4 wins and a loss. Averaged 21 minutes per game. Likely to have a big future in the game.
Judah Saumaisui - 21yo backrower, 3 games from the bench for 1 win and two losses. Scored one try. Averaged 28 minutes per game. Promising 6 or 8 in the Rob Valetini mould - hopefully half as good or better. Represented Fiji and Australia at U20s.
Austin Anderson - 21yo No 10 or Centre, played 2 games one starting and one from the bench, for one win and one loss. Averaged 33 minutes per game. Likely to see more game time next year with both Lolesio and Ikitau going overseas.
Kadin Pritchard - 20yo centre, played one game only from the bench for one win. Played 19 minutes in his one game. Looks to have the talent and size to have a big future. Likely to partner with Jarrah McLeod in the centres for the Brumbies in future.
Reds :
Max Craig - 21yo Hooker, played one game from the bench for one loss. Played 33 minutes and scored one try.
Massimo De Lutiis - 21yo THP, played 9 games with 3 starting, for 6 wins and 3 losses. Averaged 30 minutes per game. Looks to have a big future in the game, maybe in time partnering with Ieli in the front row at higher levels.
Frankie Goldsbrough - 19yo Centre, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played 15 minutes. Big wraps at a very young age. Will likely be a long term option for the Reds.
Jude Gibbs - 23yo No 10 or fullback, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played 8 minutes only and kicked a conversion. Likely just a filler at Super Rugby level.
Dre Pakeho - 20yo Centre, played 12 games starting in 9, for 6 wins and 6 losses. Averaged 63 minutes per game and scored two tries. Outstanding talent likely to go to higher honours.
Waratahs :
Archie Saunders - 21yo winger, started one game for a loss. Played the full 80 minutes and scored a try. Very pacy player with excellent U20s form. Should be a good long term prospect.
Felix Kalapu - 25yo Lock, played 6 games from the bench for 2 wins and 4 losses after joining the Tahs from NZ. Averaged 23 minutes per game and scored a try.
Force :
Doug Philipson - 21yo No 9, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played only 3 minutes in his one game.
Josh Thompson - 24yo backrower, played 3 games from the bench for 3 losses. Averaged 14 minutes per game.
Ronan Leahy - 21 yo winger, started two games for two losses. Averaged 62 minutes per game. Successful U20s player with prospects at Super Rugby level.
Not many debutants this year. Ieli, De Lutiis and Pakeho look to be the pick of the crop, and likely to fight out for the Aussie newcomer of the year. Of the others, I'd expect Anderson, Pritchard, Goldsbrough, Saunders and Leahy to prove to be consistently good Super players in time.
There are others in the "novice" category who all played games in 23/24 and who can be expected to be at or near the top of Super Rugby in coming years, including from the Brumbies, Liam Bowron (hooker), Lachlan Shaw, (lock), Klayton Thorn (No 9), and Declan Meredith (No 10); from the Reds Joe Brial (backrow), John Bryant (backrow), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (No 10) and Louis Werchon (No 9); from the Tahs Henry O'Donnell (centre), Jack Barrett (LHP) and Jack Bowen (No 10); and from the Force Lopeti Faifua (lock) (although a bit more experienced at Super Rugby level than the others mentioned).
I reckon the Brumbies and Reds have good succession planning in place and will have strong rosters for coming years with the talent coming through their pathways.
By franchise, these are the new players this year:
Brumbies :
Lington Ieli - 20yo LHP, played 5 games from the bench for 4 wins and a loss. Averaged 21 minutes per game. Likely to have a big future in the game.
Judah Saumaisui - 21yo backrower, 3 games from the bench for 1 win and two losses. Scored one try. Averaged 28 minutes per game. Promising 6 or 8 in the Rob Valetini mould - hopefully half as good or better. Represented Fiji and Australia at U20s.
Austin Anderson - 21yo No 10 or Centre, played 2 games one starting and one from the bench, for one win and one loss. Averaged 33 minutes per game. Likely to see more game time next year with both Lolesio and Ikitau going overseas.
Kadin Pritchard - 20yo centre, played one game only from the bench for one win. Played 19 minutes in his one game. Looks to have the talent and size to have a big future. Likely to partner with Jarrah McLeod in the centres for the Brumbies in future.
Reds :
Max Craig - 21yo Hooker, played one game from the bench for one loss. Played 33 minutes and scored one try.
Massimo De Lutiis - 21yo THP, played 9 games with 3 starting, for 6 wins and 3 losses. Averaged 30 minutes per game. Looks to have a big future in the game, maybe in time partnering with Ieli in the front row at higher levels.
Frankie Goldsbrough - 19yo Centre, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played 15 minutes. Big wraps at a very young age. Will likely be a long term option for the Reds.
Jude Gibbs - 23yo No 10 or fullback, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played 8 minutes only and kicked a conversion. Likely just a filler at Super Rugby level.
Dre Pakeho - 20yo Centre, played 12 games starting in 9, for 6 wins and 6 losses. Averaged 63 minutes per game and scored two tries. Outstanding talent likely to go to higher honours.
Waratahs :
Archie Saunders - 21yo winger, started one game for a loss. Played the full 80 minutes and scored a try. Very pacy player with excellent U20s form. Should be a good long term prospect.
Felix Kalapu - 25yo Lock, played 6 games from the bench for 2 wins and 4 losses after joining the Tahs from NZ. Averaged 23 minutes per game and scored a try.
Force :
Doug Philipson - 21yo No 9, played one game from the bench for a loss. Played only 3 minutes in his one game.
Josh Thompson - 24yo backrower, played 3 games from the bench for 3 losses. Averaged 14 minutes per game.
Ronan Leahy - 21 yo winger, started two games for two losses. Averaged 62 minutes per game. Successful U20s player with prospects at Super Rugby level.
Not many debutants this year. Ieli, De Lutiis and Pakeho look to be the pick of the crop, and likely to fight out for the Aussie newcomer of the year. Of the others, I'd expect Anderson, Pritchard, Goldsbrough, Saunders and Leahy to prove to be consistently good Super players in time.
There are others in the "novice" category who all played games in 23/24 and who can be expected to be at or near the top of Super Rugby in coming years, including from the Brumbies, Liam Bowron (hooker), Lachlan Shaw, (lock), Klayton Thorn (No 9), and Declan Meredith (No 10); from the Reds Joe Brial (backrow), John Bryant (backrow), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (No 10) and Louis Werchon (No 9); from the Tahs Henry O'Donnell (centre), Jack Barrett (LHP) and Jack Bowen (No 10); and from the Force Lopeti Faifua (lock) (although a bit more experienced at Super Rugby level than the others mentioned).
I reckon the Brumbies and Reds have good succession planning in place and will have strong rosters for coming years with the talent coming through their pathways.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
What about big JAS for the Tahs. He's only 21 after all? Jamie Adamson 25yo got into 11 games. Good depth pick. Seemed to light a fire under Gamble tbf
That's three players across the board (De Luttiis, Pakeho and Leli) with anything good development wise.
Gibbs, Kalapu are leaving I believe.
Goes in waves but I think there will be a fare number from the current U20s push through for debuts next season. Always had for the tight forwards though which makes De Luttiis and Leli more impressive. A guy like Botha looks to be now be coming into his own in year 3 with the Tahs. Alatini likely would have got a cap for the Brums if not for injury as well.
That's three players across the board (De Luttiis, Pakeho and Leli) with anything good development wise.
Gibbs, Kalapu are leaving I believe.
Goes in waves but I think there will be a fare number from the current U20s push through for debuts next season. Always had for the tight forwards though which makes De Luttiis and Leli more impressive. A guy like Botha looks to be now be coming into his own in year 3 with the Tahs. Alatini likely would have got a cap for the Brums if not for injury as well.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
A few missing super rugby debutantes from that listing @Brumby Runner :
Reds:
Nick Bloomfield (2 games, 17 minutes)
tahs:
Joseph Sua'ali'i (7 games, 504 minutes)
Jamie Adamson (11 games, 373 minutes)
Force:
Coby Miln (1 game, 25 minutes)
Alex Harford (2 games, 89 minutes)
Reds:
Nick Bloomfield (2 games, 17 minutes)
tahs:
Joseph Sua'ali'i (7 games, 504 minutes)
Jamie Adamson (11 games, 373 minutes)
Force:
Coby Miln (1 game, 25 minutes)
Alex Harford (2 games, 89 minutes)
Mick The Munch
Phil Hardcastle (33)
For 2024: An average rank of 7.6 out of 12 is 63.33%.
(7.6 / 12) * 100 = 63.33%
For 2025: An average rank of 6 out of 11 is 54.55% (approximately).
(6 / 11) * 100 = 54.5454...%
Adam84
John Eales (66)
What is it do you think these statistics are representing?
Mick The Munch
Phil Hardcastle (33)
What is it do you think I think these statistics are representing?
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Adam84
John Eales (66)
yeah sure.. let’s play that game the
Original stats by Strewth represent an average table position. But you’ve then tried to convert that into a percentage for fuck knows why… seemingly to support this argument that Australian teams performed worse in 2025 then 2024, because a lower percentage is worse right? No, that’s not how it works… average position isn’t represented as a percentage, even if it were, the lower the better.
Kind of like your comments earlier about less Aus teams in the finals, despite there been 2 less teams in the finals overall in 2025. That’s actually something that could be represented as a statistic.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Team of the season announced, based on POTY votes:
www.rugby.com.au
Amazingly McReight and Tizzano not only drew on points, but also on the distribution of 3-2-1s, so couldn't be split (Gleeson also came in with 29 votes but had fewer 3s).
Super Rugby Pacific unveils honorary Team of the Year
The first-ever SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year has been unveiled with inaugural Player of the Year winner Ardie Savea headlining a diverse all-star lineup.
www.rugby.com.au
Amazingly McReight and Tizzano not only drew on points, but also on the distribution of 3-2-1s, so couldn't be split (Gleeson also came in with 29 votes but had fewer 3s).
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
It favours good players in shit teams.
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Yeah, that’s the issue..
Voting isn’t necessarily a reflection of best players on ground, so some of those TOTW nominees needs to be taken with a grain of salt
waiopehu oldboy
Rocky Elsom (76)
Super.rugby declaring Victory:
"The latest metrics out of Super Rugby Pacific reveal the competition has surged in popularity and engagement in 2025, on the back of a season featuring record high scores, more competitive contests and thrilling finishes.
"OFF-FIELD METRICS
"Total match attendance across the competition has increased 6 per cent year-on-year, defying a reduction in total regular season games from 84 to 77.
"In Australia, Stan Sport has confirmed a 27 per cent increase in average audience across the regular season, while average free-to-air audiences on Nine grew by 13 per cent.
"In New Zealand, more than 1.83 million people have tuned in on Sky Sport and Sky Open, while digital viewership on Sky Go and Sky Sport Now grew by more than 19 per cent.
"In Fiji concurrent viewership on the Walesi App peaked at 395,436 – more than a third of the Fijian population.
"Super Rugby Pacific became the first domestic rugby competition in the world to achieve a total social media following of 2.5 million, driven by a 25 per cent increase in year-on-year follower growth.
"More than 70,000 fans played Fantasy Super Rugby Pacific, making more than 4.5 million player trades across the season."
super.rugby
"The latest metrics out of Super Rugby Pacific reveal the competition has surged in popularity and engagement in 2025, on the back of a season featuring record high scores, more competitive contests and thrilling finishes.
"OFF-FIELD METRICS
"Total match attendance across the competition has increased 6 per cent year-on-year, defying a reduction in total regular season games from 84 to 77.
"In Australia, Stan Sport has confirmed a 27 per cent increase in average audience across the regular season, while average free-to-air audiences on Nine grew by 13 per cent.
"In New Zealand, more than 1.83 million people have tuned in on Sky Sport and Sky Open, while digital viewership on Sky Go and Sky Sport Now grew by more than 19 per cent.
"In Fiji concurrent viewership on the Walesi App peaked at 395,436 – more than a third of the Fijian population.
"Super Rugby Pacific became the first domestic rugby competition in the world to achieve a total social media following of 2.5 million, driven by a 25 per cent increase in year-on-year follower growth.
"More than 70,000 fans played Fantasy Super Rugby Pacific, making more than 4.5 million player trades across the season."
Super Rugby Pacific reaches new heights in 2025
super.rugby
schmidt it in
Allen Oxlade (6)
Super Rugby Pacific Regular Season Crowds 2025:
All Aussie Super Rugby sides have seen an improvement in average crowds this season, with most matches being recorded.
The only matches with no figures were:
- Brumbies Round 2
- Waratahs Round 4
- Reds Round 7
- Brumbies Round 7
- Brumbies Round 16
2025 Average = 11,932
2024 Average = 10,448
Percentage Change (1dp) = 14.2% +
| 2024 | 2025 | Percentage Change (1dp) | |
| Waratahs | 12,615 | 16,211 | 28.5% + |
| Reds | 14,527 | 15,590 | 7.3% + |
| Brumbies | 8,027 | 9,213 | 14.8% + |
| Force | 6,178 | 6,681 | 8.1% + |
All Aussie Super Rugby sides have seen an improvement in average crowds this season, with most matches being recorded.
The only matches with no figures were:
- Brumbies Round 2
- Waratahs Round 4
- Reds Round 7
- Brumbies Round 7
- Brumbies Round 16
2025 Average = 11,932
2024 Average = 10,448
Percentage Change (1dp) = 14.2% +
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Merrow
Arch Winning (36)
8,214