Superbru 6: URC returns and first Super Rugby predictions of 2025!

The Six Nations takes a break this weekend, but there is still a feast of Rugby to look forward to, with Super Rugby and Major League Rugby kicking off, the URC is back and the Top 14 continues.

Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the matches I have picked out, and with a couple of SA derbies, it looks like an old Super Rugby fixture list.

Friday

Crusaders v Hurricanes - Super Rugby Pacific
This is a thrilling prospect as the opener to the Super Rugby season, featuring the likes of Scott Barrett, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Cam Roigard and Kini Naholo. It’s a tricky match to predict after the Crusaders were so awful last season, but surely they’ll be better and it’s safer to pick a home win rather than the Hurricanes here? Prediction: Crusaders by 4

Saturday

Fijian Drua v Brumbies - Super Rugby Pacific
Many people seem to make the Brumbies favourites for this one, but the Drua only lost one match in Fiji last season, and you’d think they’ll be fired up for this opening match. The Brumbies are the best Australian hope in the competition, but they still look a little thin in terms of quality. Prediction: Fijian Drua by 2

Blues v Chiefs - Super Rugby Pacific
This NZ derby is a repeat of last season’s final, which was won comfortably by the Blues, and the Auckland side are the team to beat again this year. An interesting subplot here is Beauden Barrett (Blues) and Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - the two All Black fly-half contenders - going head-to-head, and both are selected at full-back! I’m picking another home win in Auckland. Prediction: Blues by 7

Lions v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
This is a very tough pick with neither team showing any consistent form and sitting outside the Top 8. I’d normally lean towards the Lions in Johannesburg, but they were mauled by the Bulls there a couple of weeks ago, and their recent record against the Stormers is poor. Prediction: Stormers by 6

Bulls v Sharks - United Rugby Championship
Third plays fourth in the other SA derby this weekend, and you’ve got to go with the home team here. The Sharks have named their side already, which is strong but not full-strength, and my instinct says they would need to be at their very best to challenge the Bulls at Loftus at the moment. Prediction: Bulls by 8

Munster v Scarlets - United Rugby Championship
I’ve selected this game because quite a few people seem to be picking a Scarlets win, and those people are wrong! Yes, the Welsh side is one place above Munster in the table, but they have not won a game outside Wales yet this season, and with international players missing for both sides, the Irish province will be able to cope more easily with more depth in their squad. Prediction: Munster by 16

How do you see these games going? Which other games are you looking forward to?