Round 6 of the 2026 season delivered a mix of dominant blowouts and high-stakes comebacks as the playoff picture begins to crystallize.

Hurricanes 50 – 7 Highlanders

The Hurricanes solidified their spot at the top of the ladder with a clinical destruction of the Highlanders in Dunedin. Winger Fehi Fineanganofo was the star of the show, bagging a clinical hat-trick as the Wellington-based side cracked the half-century mark. The Highlanders struggled to find any rhythm, held to a single try in a one-sided affair.

Brumbies 33 – 24 Chiefs

In a heavyweight Australian-Kiwi clash, the Brumbies bounced back from recent form slumps to topple the Chiefs in Canberra. The Brumbies' forward pack dominated the set-piece, providing the platform for a vital victory that keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish.

Fijian Drua 6 – 21 Queensland Reds

The Queensland Reds secured a historic bonus-point victory in the heat of Lautoka. It was a defensive masterclass from Les Kiss’s men, neutralizing the Drua’s "Fijian flair" for the majority of the match. Filipo Daugunu was a man possessed against his former countrymen, leading a physical Reds performance that marks their first-ever win on Fijian soil.

NSW Waratahs 20 – 35 Blues

The Blues produced a stunning second-half blitz to silence the Sydney crowd. After trailing 20–8 early in the second half, the Aucklanders piled on 27 unanswered points. AJ Lam crossed for a double while Beauden Barrett pulled the strings with veteran composure to secure a vital road win and a crucial bonus point.

Moana Pasifika 14 – 22 Crusaders

The defending champion Crusaders had to work hard to overcome a spirited Moana Pasifika side. While Moana led early, the Crusaders’ depth proved the difference in the final quarter, with a second-half surge ensuring they stayed within touching distance of the top eight.

Upcoming Fixtures (Round 7)

• Moana Pasifika vs. Highlanders (Friday, March 27)

• Brumbies vs. Waratahs (Friday, March 27)

• Hurricanes vs. Reds (Saturday, March 28)

• Blues vs. Fijian Drua (Saturday, March 28)

• Force vs. Chiefs (Saturday, March 28)

• Bye: Crusaders