Super Rugby - Round 3 Recap: Brumbies stay unbeaten and Force get off the mark

The Western Force finally ended their winless start to the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with a dominant 35-19 victory over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe. Early brilliance from flyhalf Ben Donaldson set the tone, his cross-field kick finding Darby Lancaster for a fifth-minute try.

Moana Pasifika hit back through hooker Millennium Sanerivi, but the Force’s attacking line held sway as George Bridge’s clever play set up Darcy Swain to score just before halftime, with Bridge himself touching down seconds later to give the visitors a 21-7 advantage at the break.

In the second half, the Force’s lineout maul proved irresistible. Flanker Carlo Tizzano and replacement hooker Leonel Oviedo scored successive tries, putting the game beyond the hosts’ reach. Late consolation tries to replacement halfback Melani Matavao and lock Allan Craig gave Moana Pasifika some reward, but it was too little too late. The win lifts the Force off the bottom of the ladder and gives them a perfect platform for the remainder of their New Zealand road trip.

Western Force: 35
Tries: Darby Lancaster, Darcy Swain, George Bridge, Carlo Tizzano, Leonel Oviedo
Conversions: Ben Donaldson 5/5

Moana Pasifika: 19
Tries: Mills Sanerivi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop
Conversions: Patrick Pellegrini, Jackson Garden-Bachop

The Queensland Reds secured a 31-14 win over the Highlanders in Brisbane with a blend of forward power and opportunistic backline play. Early dominance from the Reds saw skipper Fraser McReight cross after an 18th-minute kick chase, followed by hooker Matt Faessler powering over from a maul.

The Highlanders responded with tries to Adam Lennox and Tim Ryan, but the Reds kept the scoreboard ticking with Lucas Casey’s No.8 try in the 52nd minute, followed by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and replacement loose forward Vaiuta Latu, giving the home side a decisive victory.

The Reds’ maul execution and quick support play proved too strong for the visitors, while the Highlanders missed early opportunities that could have swung momentum. The win strengthens the Reds’ position on the ladder and provides confidence heading into the next round.

Queensland Reds: 31
Tries: Fraser McReight, Matt Faessler, Tim Ryan, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Vaiuta Latu
Conversions: Louis Werchon 2/2, Jock Campbell 1/1

Highlanders: 14
Tries: Jack Taylor, Lucas Casey
Conversions: Cameron Millar 2/2

Fijian Drua edged the Hurricanes 25-20 in Lautoka, with a thrilling finish on a challenging wet pitch. The Hurricanes opened through wing Fehi Fineanganofo and flanker Peter Lakai, while centre Billy Proctor added another before half-time. Drua hit back via flanker Motikiai Murray, and centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre leveled the scores with an interception try.

In the second half, Jordie Barrett landed a 52m penalty for the Hurricanes, but Drua quickly responded with Samusamuvodre’s assist for winger Etonia Waqa to claim the match-winning score. The home side’s persistence and sharp passing under heavy conditions proved decisive, denying the Hurricanes a chance to return.

Tries: Motikiai Murray, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Etonia Waqa
Conversions: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2/2
Penalties: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2/2

Hurricanes: 20
Tries: Fehi Fineanganofo, Peter Lakai, Billy Proctor
Conversions: Jordie Barrett 1/1
Penalties: Jordie Barrett 1/1

The Crusaders overcame a fast-starting Chiefs side to claim a 43-33 win in Hamilton. Chiefs second five-eighth Quinn Tupaea and fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo scored within the first nine minutes, but the Crusaders hit back through hooker George Bell and Samisoni Taukei’aho. Noah Hotham and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie extended the visitors’ lead before halftime, giving them a 24-21 advantage.

The second half saw Crusaders dominance as Lio-Willie scored twice more, and skipper David Havili touched down before a long break allowed wing Chay Fihaki to set up another Lio-Willie try. The Chiefs fought hard with Tupou Vaa’i and Emoni Narawa crossing, but could not recover from the visitors’ relentless pressure.

Chiefs: 33
Tries: Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i, Emoni Narawa
Conversions: Josh Jacomb 4/4

Crusaders: 43
Tries: George Bell, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie 3, David Havili, Chay Fihaki
Conversions: Taha Kemara 4/4
Penalties: Taha Kemara 1/1

The Brumbies edged the Blues 30-27 in a tense clash at GIO Stadium. Declan Meredith opened for the hosts, with Blues wing Caleb Clarke responding. Hooker Billy Pollard and AJ Lam traded tries before half-time to leave the scores level.

The second half saw back-and-forth action with Blues tries to Clarke, Codemeru Vai, and Dalton Papali’i. Brumbies replacement Luke Reimer crossed after a sin-bin to Stephen Perofeta, and No.8 Charlie Cale scored in injury time to steal a dramatic win. The Brumbies’ lineout and maul execution were critical in securing the victory.

Brumbies: 30
Tries: Declan Meredith, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale
Conversions: Ryan Lonergan 2/2
Penalties: Ryan Lonergan 2/2

Blues: 27
Tries: Caleb Clarke 2, AJ Lam, Dalton Papali’i
Conversions: Stephen Perofeta 2/2
Penalties: Stephen Perofeta 1/1