Tahs’ catastrophe can’t be contemplated

It’s a fresh campaign and there’s new blood emerging on the park and in The Roar’s tipping panel.

Roar expert Ben Pobjie takes over from Tony Harper, who finished dead last in 2024 and was duly relegated, while Nick Wasiliev is the incumbent champion panellist.

The action starts Friday afternoon so get your tips in below, and while you’re in fantasy mode, also consider joining The Roar league in the Super Rugby official fantasy game.

We’d like to shoutout Roar reader Bourkos for getting on the ball with the league, serving as our league’s Chairman – feel free to sign up with your Roar name included!

You joining our Fantasy league right here.<<<

The opening round starts on Friday afternoon in New Zealand with the Crusaders hosting the Hurricanes at 5.05pm AEDT, followed by the Waratahs’ season debut against Highlanders at 7.35pm. On Saturday, the Brumbies travel to play Fijian Drua at 2.35pm, the Blues host the Chiefs at 5.05pm and Western Force welcome Moana Pasifika to Perth in the 7.35pm game.

Take it away, new boy.

Ben Pobjie

Crusaders, Waratahs, Drua, Chiefs, Force

Crusaders vs Hurricanes: The greatest fear for the new Super Rugby season is that it will be more of the same – both for Australian national pride and a competition that needs unpredictability like a desert wanderer needs water. That said, I have to go for the Crusaders here, if only from muscle memory.

Waratahs vs Highlanders: Going for the boys in blue, simply because they have to win. They HAVE to. After all the talk, all the hype, all the bullish forecasts and myriad star recruits, the catastrophe of a defeat at home first-up cannot be contemplated. 

Drua vs Brumbies: The Brumbies as always carry the weight of expectation and have a tough assignment first up in Fiji. Expect the Drua to come out all guns blazing, and the ACT’s finest to not quite be on the pace yet.

Blues v Chiefs: An ineffable sense tells me there’s an upset brewing, and last year’s champions might be a tad slow off the mark this season. It could be wishful thinking, but I feel the Blues are vulnerable, and Damian McKenzie has a point to prove. But then, doesn’t he always?

Force vs Moana: The trip to Perth and a Force side itching to show their mettle will be too much for the long-suffering Moana. Or will they? The Force have lots of experience letting fans down, so the tip is not given with any great confidence.

Nick Wasiliev

Hurricanes, Waratahs, Drua, Blues, Force

Alrighty, here we go again. Defending champion on deck, and terrified! The Crusaders’ starting side looks pretty formidable, but should they lose anyone else, boy it’s grim. Having 14 players injured is a rough way to start the season, and even with the Canes having some sidelined, their depth is still pretty solid. Given the first round usually has some early casualties, I’m going with the visitors.

God, the two dark horses facing off – I’m not sure where to begin. The Highlanders surprised a lot of people last year and are the more settled side, but the Tahs have options coming out of everywhere. Going with the prediction that Dan McKellar starts off with a win – but by a slim margin. 

Picking the Drua against the Brumbies hurt me. This should give us a good indication as to the depth on display in Canberra. If the backups leave Suva with any sort of win, watch out! With so many Wallabies out, in hostile territory, the Drua should creep over the line.

The Blues set the standard last year, and even with a few players missing, they still look good. Won’t be the flogging like last year’s final was, but they should win.

I’m going the Force – but not with a lot of confidence. They looked very undercooked in the trials, and with Harry Hoopert and Harry Johnson-Holmes out for the season, their solid forward depth is already being tested. Moana Pasifika has some good options, especially Ardie Savea. I reckon it’ll come down to less than a converted try – hope the Sea of Blue come out in their droves to get them home. 

Christy Doran

Crusaders, Waratahs, Drua, Blues, Force

Fantastic, another year of tipping and I’m not sure my hairline is looking forward to it. 

There was nothing in it last year and the strengthening of Australia’s lists will make it even harder for tippers in 2025. The first round of the competition showcases that, because you can make a strong argument about every team this weekend.

The Crusaders cost me every tip last year and they might well first-up again, but the absence of Jordie Barrett and Brett Cameron has me tipping the home side to start the comp. Plus, their forward pack has All Blacks littered across it, starting with the front-row.

The Waratahs will take a good month to find their feet given the massive turnover of players, but there’s enough Test combinations to think they should be too strong for the Highlanders.

Even if the Brumbies had one or two more of their Test stars I was leaning to the Drua. Yes, they’re missing a couple of regulars themselves, but they need to bank an early win at home – and they should. The Brumbies have a brutal opening month.

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

If the Chiefs are within a try at half-time they might over run the Blues given they’ve got some serious firepower to bring off the bench, but I’ll go with the home side.

The Force have already lost a couple of key men, but they’re a difficult assignment for visiting teams and it’s essential they beat Moana Pasifika. Their forward pack, for now, is in significantly better shape than it was this time last year.

Hamish Bidwell

Crusaders, Waratahs, Brumbies, Blues, Moana Pasifika

It would be nice for the Hurricanes to win, but it’s essential for the Crusaders after their struggles in 2024. On that basis I simply see the outcome mattering more to them than it does the visitors.

I don’t really have a strong feeling either way but, honestly, if the Waratahs can’t beat this Highlanders’ side then they’ll never beat anyone.

It’s never easy to play in Fiji, but I back the Brumbies to prevail in a close one.

I suspect the Blues will win by plenty. They should do, given the talent at their disposal and the way they buried the Chiefs in last year’s final.

If Moana Pasifika are going to fire a shot this season, it’ll be in the early rounds. They’re putting a reasonable team this week and will be buoyed by the presence of Ardie Savea.