To celebrate the return of the Super Rugby competition this weekend, The Roar is naming our top 50 players for the competition this year.
On Monday, we kicked off with the 50-26 – and today, to round things off, we finish with the top 25 players across the competition – from established names to big surprises landing in the list.
Agree or disagree with the list? Let us know in the comments who you think will have a big year in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ardie Savea. (Photo by Justin Setterfield – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
25. Ardie Savea – Moana Pasifika
Arguably the biggest signing for Moana Pasifika in their young history, Ardie Savea will be joining his brother Julian in representing Super Rugby’s newest franchise. The club is going to need all the help it can get to climb the ladder – but having a 91-capped All Black certainly helps!
24. Du’Plessis Kirifi – Hurricanes
Even in a squad as jacked as the Hurricanes are, Du’Plessis Kirifi still stands out – bolting in the All Blacks XV squad and standing as one of Wellington’s stalwarts. With competition for spots in the All Blacks – especially the case in the loose forwards – Kirifi has plenty to push for in 2025.
23. Dalton Papali’i – Blues
Speaking of which. Papali’i had a massive season for the Blues in their drought-breaking season, going on to add to his All Black caps in the Rugby Championship. Alongside Hoskins Sotutu, his approach led to the Auckland side having the most dangerous attack in the competition.
Samipeni Finau. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)
22. Samipeni Finau – Chiefs
You knew he was coming. The man who single-handedly made it his personal goal to flatten as many flyhalves as possible. Expect him to only continue that form this year – in both Hamilton and for the All Blacks.
21. Caleb Clarke – Blues
The running mate of Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke’s ten tries last year – equal third-best in the competition and second-best for the Blues – only reaffirmed how dangerous a weapon he is in open space. If Papali’i won’t go through you, Clarke will go around you.
20. Cortez Ratima – Chiefs
While much praise was made towards Damian McKenzie, his halves partner often flew under the radar – until he had a breakout year in 2024, scoring nine tries, making the All Blacks and helping get the Chiefs to a grand final. Ratima was long due his flowers, and he’s only getting started.
19. Cam Roigard – Hurricanes
In what is set to be a thrilling contest in the halves, a big reason why Ratima could get the shot he did was because of a horrific injury that sidelined Cam Roigard for most of 2024. However, with the All Blacks star halfback now firing once again, expect the Hurricanes attack to become a lot more potent.
18. Emoni Narawa – Chiefs
The Chiefs’ best try-scorer – and equal third-best overall – with ten tries, if it wasn’t for Scott Robertson opting for experience on the end-of-year tour, Emoni Narawa would have been in the conversation. While he only boasts two caps in black, keep up the form he is maintaining and he will almost certainly add to it.
17. Peter Lakai – Hurricanes
The Canes’ big find in 2024. A quiet achiever, Lakai transformed himself into a workhorse, and it made him an All Black debutant. Managing 156 carries – the third highest in the competition – there was a reason this 21-year-old gun has been regarded as the long-term successor to Ardie Savea in Wellington.
16. Tupou Vaa’i – Chiefs
Speaking of quiet achievers, Tupou Vaa’i had a massive year in the engine room of the Chiefs, forcing his way back into Razor’s All Blacks side. Awarded the Chiefs’ Coaches Player of the Year, he will likely be expected to have an even bigger year in 2025 as the Waikato-based franchise looks to finally shake the monkey off its back and win that elusive title.
Harry Wilson. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
15. Harry Wilson – Queensland Reds
Finally, an Aussie on the list – and what a player Wilson is. The incumbent Wallaby captain, Wilson’s leading-by-doing approach has rubbed off both at the Reds and in gold – and thank god he likes getting in and doing the work! The Wallabies have been waiting for a captain like him.
14. Beauden Barrett – Blues
What is there to say? Even by lofty standards, the dude is one of the greatest players ever to put on the All Black jersey. At 134 caps and counting, plus now a Super Rugby title winner at two franchises, the most capped All Blacks back looks to have plenty left in the tank.
13. Scott Barrett – Crusaders
The incumbent All Black captain cracked the top ten easily last year, however, he falls just outside it this year due to such mixed form for the Crusaders. Relinquishing the Crusaders’ captaincy will likely prove beneficial, and given his form, it will not take long for the 80-capped All Black to find his groove again.
Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
12. Taniela Tupou – NSW Waratahs
Probably the most protested inclusion in the top ten last year, it should be pointed out that there was a clear difference in the strength of the Rebels’ scrum when Tupou was playing as to when he wasn’t. The Tongan Thor will likely be better supported with a jacked Waratah scrum this year – and should he overcome his niggling issues, he could be well set for a big year.
11. Tom Wright – ACT Brumbies
Make no mistake, Tom Wright owned the Wallaby fullback position in 2024 – a fantastic example of a player cutting out previous issues and building on his game brilliantly. With ten tries for the Brumbies last year – equal third highest in the competition and the highest Australian player – Wright caps off a lethal back three for the Canberra side.
10. Rieko Ioane – Blues
So much will sit on the shoulders of Rieko Ioane this year, with the centres being one area the Blues could be exposed in 2025 should he go down – but if he doesn’t, Ioane has that gap firmly plugged. He is one of the most dangerous players in the world, and his ability to cut sides apart is a big reason why the Blues are the defending champions.
9. Len Ikitau – ACT Brumbies
Len Ikitau admitted that he thought he was slow out of the starting blocks in 2024, and if that’s the case, imagine what he would’ve done if he was in form. Australia’s first pick at centre is rarely bested even when the Brumbies go down, and Ikitau is set for a massive 2025. Given his form in the Autumn Nations series, he is only going to be more dangerous this year.
Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
8. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – NSW Waratahs
Our highest-ranked debutant, the buzz around Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii hasn’t been seen since, arguably, when Israel Folau burst onto the scene for the Waratahs in 2013. Suaalii aims to become Australia’s ultimate utility player – and given how much he impressed in his debut against England, the hype appears to be real around this exciting 21-year-old.
7. Fraser McReight – Queensland Reds
The Reds will be heavyweights in 2025, with Les Kiss’ versatile coaching approach and a mammoth depth to call upon – but if you were to boil down the Queensland to one player, it would be Fraser McReight. The natural successor to Michael Hooper, 2024 saw McReight truly enter the world-class conversation. The rising tide of a Lions tour will see him fly even higher.
6. Will Jordan – Crusaders
Missing all of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season due to injury, had Will Jordan been able to play all that year, his try-scoring ability would have likely seen Penney’s Crusaders still make finals. A ruthless fullback and the top scorer at the 2023 World Cup, his impact was felt almost immediately on his return to Razor’s All Blacks – and it will likely be the same in Christchurch.
Angus Bell. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
5. Angus Bell – NSW Waratahs
The spearhead of a new generation of explosive, hard-running props coming through the Australian pathway, Angus Bell, in combination with Tupou, will likely make up one of the toughest front rows in the competition. Should he stay injury-free, the 32-capped Wallaby will likely be the most important player in gold during the British & Irish Lions tour.
Rob Valenti. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
4. Rob Valetini – ACT Brumbies
In saying that, there is one exception. He’s the current John Eales medalist for a reason. Rob Valetini is the Wallaby right now – setting the standard for work rate, physicality, skills and critically, consistency match to match. While many Wallabies’ stocks rose in 2024, the fact he still stands above the rest shows just how special a player he is.
Damian McKenzie. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
3. Damian McKenzie – Chiefs
He may have been usurped from the top of the rankings compared to last year, but Damian McKenzie is still one of Super Rugby’s best. His form at this level has been some of the best the competition has seen – and he has plenty to prove in 2025 – with his form as the All Blacks flyhalf still a topic of hot debate.
Asafo Aumua. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
2. Asafo Aumua – Hurricanes
Terrifying. Bloody terrifying. Aumua forced his way back into the All Blacks outfit in 2024 – thanks to ball running so ruthless he became the stuff of nightmares for opposition defence. He looks set to feature a lot more in 2025 – passing with flying colours as the All Blacks beat Ireland and England in the Autumn Series last year. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Hoskins Sotutu. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
1. Hoskins Sotutu – Blues
The equal top try-scorer. The best performing forward in the whole competition. The spearhead of the Blues’ ruthless attack. The 2024 season was not just the Blues’ year, it was Hoskins Sotutu’s year.
His ability to crack defences in general play and the set-piece is capped off with an offload game that is second to none. He will be one of the players to watch this year – and should he keep it up, the calls will only grow louder to hand the lad that long-awaited All Black call up. What more does he need to do?!
Who do you think are the best players set to take Super Rugby Pacific by storm this season? Did we miss anyone? Comment below and let us know!
