The Brumbies have jumped to the top of Super Rugby Pacific after their gritty 24-14 win over the Reds in Canberra. Ardie Savea has been crowned Player of the Season with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
The Hurricanes topped the Highlanders in a thriller on Friday night while the Crusaders won handsomely in Sydney without Will Jordan.
Who were the standout performers in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific?
Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
“It’s still good for the season to win ugly,” is how Cam Roigard surmised the Hurricanes’ 24-20 win over the Highlanders at Sky Stadium.
The All Blacks halfback scored the winning try in the 83rd minute after 21 phases. Earlier, he tied the scores with a trademark snipe.
Roigard carried 16 times for a gain of 108 metres. With three linebreaks, two turnovers, and a pass to a rampaging Pasilio Tosi that almost created a try, Roigard was the Hurricanes’ most potent attacking threat. Two passes sprayed into touch, that, if caught, could have instead been tries, can ultimately be forgiven. At least, Roigard doesn’t go into his shell.
It’s hard to imagine the Hurricanes threatening in the playoffs if they were without Cam Roigard. While the Hurricanes have shown they can win without key personnel. Tyrel Lomax and Kini Naholo didn’t start, and Baylin Sullivan and Brayden Iose were injured in the Highlanders game; the halfbacks’ influence is profound. In 2024, the Hurricanes won all six games before Roigard was injured. In 2025, replacement halfback Ere Enari has only played 137 minutes. The most action Jordi Viljoen has seen was 22 minutes when the outcome of a 57-12 win against the Warathas was already settled.
Meanwhile, it was former Hurricanes winger Jonah Lowe who ensured the Hurricanes were in for a tricky night. Lowe snaffled the first turnover and scored tries in the third and 19th minutes. Locks Fabin Holland and Mitchell Dunshea were outstanding for the visitors, combining for 38 tackles while securing eight lineouts and poaching four from the Hurricanes.
Famous last-minute victories by the Hurricanes include: Ardie Savea scoring a 40-metre try to conquer the Blues 33-32 in Dunedin in 2022. In 2012, Conrad Smith achieved the same feat in a 26-25 win against the Blues at Eden Park. Dane Coles’ 84th-minute winner against the Chiefs in the same season wasn’t as graceful. In 2018, at McLean Park in Napier, Ngani Laumape scored a try five minutes after the hooter had sounded to sink the Sharks 38-37. In 2007, Taranaki lock Paul ‘Fish’ Tito broke Chiefs hearts with a late strike in Ma’a Nonu’s 50th match for the Hurricanes. When Tito departed Wellington, he was the Hurricanes most capped forward with 84 appearances.
Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders)
In his first game of the season, replacing the injured Will Jordan, and following a struggle with a hamstring injury, McNicholl was outstanding in the Crusaders’ 48-33 win over the Waratahs in Sydney.
The Crusaders led 31-7 at halftime with McNicholl scoring a try, making four linebreaks, and creating a try. McNicholl carried more than any other Crusader in the game.
When the Crusaders lost to the Waratahs in 2024, McNicholl was yellow-carded and penalised in the final minute for a deliberate knock-on. McNicholl later revealed he had a dislocated finger. Will Harrison kicked a penalty to send the contest to extra time and then repeated the dose in the additional period, as the Waratahs won 43-40.
An understated McNicholl told Stan Sports afterwards.“I hope I’ve still got it.” I seemed to play pretty well out there today. I’m happy.”
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Superlatives were exhausted after Savea’s superman display in Moana Pasifika’s 27-21 upset of the Blues at North Harbour Stadium. Savea had an astonishing 44 touches with 21 carries for 90 metres gained. He beat five defenders, delivered four offloads, had a clean break and a linebreak assist while making nine tackles and snatching three turnovers.
Was it the greatest performance by an individual in a Super Rugby game ever? It’s hard to go past Gavin Lawless scoring a staggering 50 points for the Sharks against the Highlanders in 1997, but Savea’s shift ranks among the best by a forward for sure. Remember, Reuben Thorne (129 games, 97 wins) made 47 tackles in the Crusaders 20-19 win over the Brumbies in the 2000 final in Canberra.
With a fortnight remaining in the regular season, Savea has already claimed the Super Rugby Player of the Season award. Savea collected the maximum six votes against the Blues and 42 votes across the season so far, putting him beyond the reach of Tom Hooper (31 votes) and Damian McKenzie (28 votes). In 10 appearances this season, Savea has scored five tries, made over 330 post-contact metres, completed 115 tackles, and won 13 turnovers.
“It’s a huge honour and blessing to receive this award,” Savea said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am this year or where I am without the team and the brothers. A massive shoutout to my brothers and my family.
“When you’re striving for something bigger than yourself and the team everything is worthwhile whatever you do.”
He has also been the highest-scoring loose forward in Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy, and for six weeks of the competition, the most picked player.
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga acknowledged Savea’s impact.
“As a club, we’re extremely proud of Ardie on all his achievements this year. To be able to coach and work with someone of his calibre is a privilege,” Umaga said.
“This award is a testament to the leader he is and what he represents. His faith, his family, his culture and his people. It also shines a light on everything he does behind the scenes to be the best he can be, which has uplifted everyone around him.”
In 141 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika, Savea has 92 wins and 37 tries.
