As the countdown for Super Rugby Pacific continues, it is important to remember the growth of the key ‘Pacific’ element to the new combination.
While the introduction of the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika started with both sides at the bottom of the ladder in 2022, their growth since that inaugural season has been one of the great joys of the competition.
The Drua have led the charge, being wholeheartedly embraced by Fiji and transforming Lautoka and Suva into two of the hardest venues to win at in the whole competition – with their efforts seeing the side make back-to-back finals.
Moana Pasifika’s rise has been a lot more troublesome, with a second wooden spoon and a complete cleanout along the road to now. However, 2024 saw small improvements on and off the field under new coach Tana Umaga – culminating in the side getting off the bottom of the ladder for the first time and winning more games than in their first two seasons combined.
However, with one less team in Australia and two fewer finals placings up for grabs, can the Pacific sides maintain their rise – and can they become genuine title contenders?
The Fijian Drua have been electric at home. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Fijian Drua
The Drua have been the feel-good story of this current iteration of Super Rugby – the scenes of full stadiums and screaming fans epitomising the sheer enjoyment the competition brings when it’s at its best.
The Drua’s inclusion has transformed the Fijian game, with coach Mick Byrne making a successful transition up to the Fijian national team – winning the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup and maintaining regular wins over top-tier rugby nations that became the norm under his predecessor Simon Raiwalui, defeating both Japan and Wales (in Cardiff) last year.
Former professional referee-turned-head-coach Glen Jackson takes control of the Drua in 2025, and he has a lot to build on – at home, the side is phenomenal, producing classic Fijian-style rugby and being able to knock over the best teams in the competition. On the road? Not so much.
Despite making the fifth-highest number of carries and metres gained in the competition, and the second-highest at beating defenders (a whopping 460, as Fijians do), the side’s lacklustre record on the road kneecaps them, scoring only 41 tries overall, having the worst percentage of tackles won in the whole competition, and the fourth-worst lineout.
The side has the makings of a team that can win – their home record and improvements in the setpiece under Byrne are impossible to ignore – even having the highest percentage of scrums won in the competition – but if they are to become real title contenders, they need to apply it consistently.
There are no excuses. The side needs results on the road like they have at home.
It is a monumental task for Jackson, but he is helped by the increased alignment with the national team – a mammoth 31 players in his squad – the most international representation of any team in the comp – have previously played, or currently play, for the Fijian national side – the sort of alignment you can only dream of.
With several stars also coming back from plying their trade overseas – including Inia Tabuavou, Joseva Tamani and Peni Ravai – it will likely provide an extra edge that can hopefully help Jackson grab those elusive away wins
Season run:
Brumbies (H), Hurricanes (A), Waratahs (A), Chiefs (H), Brumbies (A), Force (A), Bye, Crusaders (H), Highlanders (A), Waratahs (H), Moana Pasifika (A), Reds (H), Blues (H), Force (H), Bye, Reds (A)
There is no other way to say it – the Drua have one of the hardest draws in 2025. Hosting four of their seven home games against teams who were at the top of the 2024 ladder, plus extended periods on the road in Australia and New Zealand – a lot will be asked of this team. The side will grab wins and will remain formidable at home, but it won’t be enough to jag a finals spot.
Prediction: 8th
Lotu Inisi of Moana Pasifika (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Moana Pasifika
They may have come second last, but 2024 was a better year for Moana Pasifika. Fully embracing the Tongan and Samoan heritage the team aspires towards, coach Tana Umaga was thrown in the deep end with this team – and he showed there is potential.
Wisely targeting the weaker Australian sides, Moana found success – beating the Force in Perth and putting away a dire Waratahs outfit, Umaga’s men also managed two upsets, stunning the Reds in Whangārei and defeating the Drua during Super Round.
However, despite more wins, the Moana side is still a team well off the pace overall – with the worst attack, the second-worst defence, scoring the fewest number of tries in the whole season, having the worst lineout – in nearly every metric for the 2024 season, Moana Pasifika falls near the bottom.
It suggests a team that simply cannot match Super Rugby intensity at present – and while Umaga’s work was a step in the right direction, the side has a marathon to run to catch up to the other sides.
Ardie Savea (Photo by Justin Setterfield – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
The passion shown by the side is infectious, however, and has seen the likes of All Black Ardie Savea and Wallaby Pone Fa’amausili join the ranks – joining fellow All Black Julian Savea. With most players playing in the Tongan and Samoan international sides, Umaga can call upon 25 international players – and has found several promising talents like Danny Toala, Lotu Inisi and William Havili.
However, given those international sides have had well-documented off-field issues over the last twelve months – plus poor results on the field – how much this international experience will improve the side will be tempered somewhat.
Throw in the situation with five Australian sides going into four meaning those matches will be much harder to target, and more will be needed to get Moana up the ladder – and with them set to take a match back to Tonga, the side will hopefully continue to grow its base in the Pacific.
Season run:
Force (A), Reds (A), Highlanders (H), Hurricanes (H), Bye, Chiefs (H), Crusaders (A), Waratahs (H), Blues (A), Brumbies (H), Drua (H), Highlanders (A), Bye, Blues (A), Chiefs (A), Hurricanes (A)
It is a cliche to predict they will finish last – but it is a cliche for a reason.
For nearly any other team, this would be a pretty good draw. No hyperbole, the first three weeks of Moana’s season will determine their year. Replicating a win in Perth and a victory over New Zealand’s weakest side at home is very achievable. If they succeed, who knows? But if they fail, the remainder of the season looms as a long and winding road – with a brutal final three matches.
Prediction: 11th
