The Super Rugby Pacific season is only a few days away, and there is a special feeling about the competition in 2025.
A new CEO at the helm gives the comp an official feel, and since it is the fourth year of this iteration of Super Rugby, the organisation is feeling like it’s maturing.
Getting the ducks in a row on the administration side of things means fans can finally start focusing on the blockbuster action on the field.
In Australia, the amalgamation of the five teams into four has definitely seen sides look a lot stronger on paper.
Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua are now in their fourth year of existence and look a great deal stronger too, particularly Moana, with a marquee signing.
Across the Tasman, the Kiwi sides are as strong as ever, but the competitiveness of all the teams means there is a buzz around the season.
But what would all this stability and fair dinkum competitiveness be without the jeopardy and excitement around certain key players.
Below is a list of players that could be crucial for the success of their teams.
Miles Amatosero (Waratahs)
The 22-year-old giant has recently signed an extension with the Waratahs, in what is a great win for Australian rugby, because Amatosero is a unique talent.
At such a young age his raw dimensions foreshadow a beast of a tight-five, and in 2025 it will be the job of the new head coach, Dan McKellar, to unlock his potential.
His physicality and desire for contact is evident but what’s most exciting, is his coach knows he’s a far way away from his potential.
“His ceiling is high; he’s nowhere near it… I’m gonna demand he works hard, and demand that he knows what a professional rugby looks like,” said McKellar last week.
There’s no hiding the fact that the Waratahs are short on top tier locks, but if Amatosero can meet his coach’s demands, he will become a force to be reckoned with, and the Waratahs will be better placed for it.
Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes)
Across the ditch, the men from Wellington have seen a fair few faces come and go from last season, and they too have seen their lock stocks thin somewhat.
The signing of the former Crusader is both an interesting and clever move by the coaching team, as many in New Zealand believe Gallagher’s ceiling can reach as high as the All Blacks.
At just 23-years-old Gallagher can bring some attention to detail to the Canes’ set piece and ruck work.
He is a slightly different player from the crash and bash of the rest of the pack, but if they get the balance right, it could be a huge boost for a side which were so close to a finals berth in 2024.
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
‘A rising tide lifts all boats,’ and Ardie Savea is that tide for Moana Pasifika.
The decorated All Black and World Cup player of the tournament 2023, is an awesome signing for the franchise.
It’s a year where their hopes are high in their second year under All Black legend Tana Umaga.
Everyone knows what Savea is capable of on the field but for Moana, it’s about how he can lift standards off it which will make the biggest difference.
If he can get the side focused on the details around the ruck and carry, as well as digging deep in fitness, the power, flare, and talent which they already possess can give them a unique edge this season.
Darcy Swain (Western Force)
Swain is the forgotten Wallaby, he lost his way at the Brumbies over the last couple seasons and struggled to bring the same presence in games after a run of poor on-field discipline.
Having made the move across the Nullarbor, it gives him a fresh start, and the opportunity to rediscover the physical edge which made him a Wallaby.
His captain, and fellow young second rower, Jeremy Williams, was the best Wallabies rookie in 2024, his workrate and low-gear grunt gave the Wallabies pack some starch, Swain must provide the same engine and go forward.
Alongside them is the experienced Sam Carter, who they can both learn from but the power of the pack, its engine, will rely heavily on Swain and Williams to get the job done, week-in week-out.
James O’Connor (Crusaders)
The Wallaby has ditched the maroon of Queensland for the blood red of Canterbury, and now O’Connor is finally living out a long-held dream of playing for the Crusaders.
He arrives at the decorated club with much the same mandate as he had at the Reds, be the tutor for the young playmakers.
Taha Kemara and Rivez Reihana are both under the age of 25 and are inexperienced at this level.
O’Connor’s job will be to be the steadying hand, most likely off the bench for one of the two youngsters each week.
The Crusaders have a stacked side and a lethal backline full of some of the best finishers in the competition but unless the five-eighths can find their groove, Rob Penney’s men may be in for another difficult season.
If O’Connor’s body stays fit, he will have lots to offer this legendary club.
Caleb Muntz (Fijian Drua)
Muntz had a horror run of injuries leading into the 2023 World Cup in France and it took him out of SRP in 2024 as well.
However, since returning to the international stage late last year, it’s clear for all to see, he is a flashy no.10, who can unlock those around him.
The Drua have seen a bit of a shake-up in 2025, losing head coach Mick Byrne to the Test side.
The loss of their coach is huge but if Muntz can hit his strides early in the season, he’s good enough to lead the Drua to a final’s series.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
If there was one thing, above all others, which Vern Cotter’s men dominated in 2024, it was the contact area, especially in-and-around the ruck.
Once they got rolling, their connection in their pod shape around their pick-and-drive was unstoppable.
The man who led that charge was Tuipulotu, if he can inspire his men to stick with the ‘boring’ up-the-guts, patient game of Cotter, then they could very well seal their second consecutive title.
Hunter Paisami (Queensland Reds)
The playmakers at the Reds are very young, both Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tom Lynagh are also inexperienced, hence, Paisami has a mammoth role in supporting them.
He must be their ever-present bail out option, as well as a strong and consistent voice, giving them direction throughout matches.
The Reds have a very strong roster and Paisami’s job alongside the young halves will be to keep the side in the contest for the full 80 in each of their games.
David Feliuai (Brumbies)
The Brumbies are the side which recruited the least in the off season, but the players they have signed are handpicked replacements to plug the gaps.
Feliuai is one of the three key signings, and he steps into the shoes of Tamati Tua, who was one of the Brumbies best in 2025 at inside centre.
Feliuai will have the same charges as Tua: to get them over the gainline by any means necessary.
The former Melbourne Rebel is an exciting player who was part of the wider Wallabies squad in 2024, but this must be his breakout season, he is the perfect age for a no.12, and the Brumbies need his power game in the midfield.
Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
The Highlanders do not have the roster to play a conventional style of rugby, but then again, that’s not who they are, and that suits Fakatava just fine.
His proclivity for try assists is exceptional, and the Highlanders will need a whole lot more of that this season.
However, while his off the cuff play is elite, this season, he will have the biggest impact if is consistent and mature in his game driving.
It’s something which will relieve pressure of his young playmakers.
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
The men from Waikato have all the flare any side in the world could want, but ultimately what let them down last year was their inability to hang tight with the toughest packs in the competition.
Vaa’i showed his growth on the international stage in 2024 and now he must bring that same maturity, physical edge, and attention to detail to Super Rugby.
He has steadily been improving but in 2025 he must go one better yet again, because while Damien McKenzie runs the cutter for the backs, he must be the driver of standards and work rate for his pack.
If Vaa’i can muster his pack to play with discipline, then the Chiefs will be able to challenge the champion Blues and be genuine title contenders.
