There has been much debate in recent days following the release of the official Super Rugby Team of the Season. The selection sparked plenty of conversation, as several big names were left out, causing significant controversy in and around rugby circles.
To help settle the debate, we’re launching our own betcha Super Rugby Pacific 2025 Team of the Season in response to the official lineup. So, with out further ado, get ready to settle in and enjoy the real team of the season.
Forwards
betcha Pick, Prop | Tamaiti Willaims
Official | Angus Bell
The Crusaders and All Blacks powerhouse has taken another step toward fulfilling the potential that was placed on him as a rising prospect in the New Zealand ranks. Williams has been a key cog in the engine that helped resurge the Crusaders in 2025, as they found themselves back to their old ways, finishing second. Plus it’s also always a bonus to have a prop with a knack for finding the chalk, as Williams managed to notch up four more tries this campaign.
betcha Pick, Hooker | Samisoni Taukei’aho
Official | Tevita Ikanivere
The Chiefs approached the position this year by committee, with all three hookers on the roster accumulating over 300 minutes each during the season. However, the man who stole the show was out-of-favour All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho, who looks to have returned to his dominant form this season. Data shows Taukei’aho was a bruising presence for opposing defenses, ranking in the upper echelon among his position group for carries, meters carried, and defenders beaten.
betcha Pick, Prop | Allan Alaalatoa
Official | Allan Alaalatoa
The captain of the best Australian side this season finds his way onto the list, unsurprisingly. Alaalatoa, who has become more savvy with each passing year, provided his ever-steady presence as he led the Brumbies pack around the field. As always, he was strong in the set piece, but his impact in open play was his main calling card, scoring seven tries throughout the season and ranking in the 89th percentile for tackles completed among all props.
betcha Pick, Lock | Fabian Holland
Official | Jeremy Williams
The 22-year-old entered the season with momentum after his selection into the All Blacks XV for last year’s northern tour. And he certainly maintained that momentum this season, proving he’s not just a big frame but a genuine workhorse lock. He led the league in total tackles with 204, including 18 dominant tackles. Holland also proved to be a nuisance in the lineout, ranking in the 88th percentile for steals of opponents’ ball. The young Highlander has recently signed a three-year extension with the southern franchise and will surely hear his name called for the All Blacks sooner rather than later.
betcha Pick, Lock | Tom Hooper
Official | Patrick Tuipulotu
Hooper is the definition of versatility, having suited up at lock, number six, and number eight this season for the Brumbies. I understand he played more as a loose forward this year, but I really struggled to fit in four, let alone three, as we see below. So shifting the ever-reliable Hooper to lock for this exercise gave me a bit more breathing room while still allowing me to sing his praises for a season that will no doubt see him play plenty of international rugby in the near future.
betcha Pick, Loosie | Peter Lakai
Official | Tom Hooper
One of, if not the brightest star in New Zealand rugby, once again showed out this year for the Hurricanes franchise, and he may have just forced his way into the All Blacks’ 2025 plans in a serious way. Lakai is a multi-faceted player who can dominate across positions six through eight and can be either a defensive monster or a dynamic ball runner on attack. His quality is immense, and it is safe to say he was key in helping fill the impossible shoes left behind by Ardie Savea this season.
betcha Pick, Loosie | Du’Plessis Kirifi
Official | Fraser McReight
Like Lakai, the captain of the Hurricanes has also stepped up in the absence of Ardie Savea, becoming one of, if not the best, number 7 in the competition. Despite being a shorter flanker, Kirifi packs an enormous punch thanks to his strength and determination, which also makes him the kind of leader you’ll follow into any battle. His signature work is done on the defensive side of the ball, where he recorded the second-most tackles in the competition with 203 and led all flankers in turnovers with 23. I would assume an All Blacks call-up is somewhere in his near future.
betcha Pick, Loosie | Ardie Savea
Official | Ardie Savea
So the easiest selection of all time is made right here, and in my opinion, it’s the unanimous Super Rugby Player of the Year, who is also the best player on the planet. Ardie Savea made sure to silence all the doubters who thought his move to Moana Pasifika would make him a lesser rugby player. In fact, they weren’t just wrong they were completely off the mark. Ardie shifted into another gear, becoming the closest thing I’ve ever seen to Superman on a rugby field on multiple occasions.
With that being said, I could write an entire article on this guy, but I have eight more players to get to. So I’ll leave you with one thought: don’t take anything this man is doing on the field for granted.
betcha Pick, Loosie | Carlo Tizzano
Official | Carlo Tizzano
As I mentioned, I couldn’t choose just three loosies for this list, so I made sure to add a fourth, and that name is 25-year-old Carlo Tizzano. Another two-way threat, Tizzano led the competition with 13 total tries, which is almost unheard of for a loose forward. He’s also a tackle machine, recording 198 tackles, proving he’s not just a one-trick pony on attack. He’s more than capable of sticking his face in the fan and doing the dirty work for his team, which makes him a name to look out for in the future on the international stage.
Backs
betcha Pick, Half Back | Cam Roigard
Official | Cam Roigard
The best number 9 in the world showed up and showed out once again, putting all his skills on display, playmaking, running, kicking, and tackling. The Hurricanes’ wildcard is a thorn in any team’s side with his Swiss Army knife nature, as opponents never know what he’s going to do next. When looking at all the data, Roigard essentially leads the competition in every relevant stat for his position. With that, he is without a doubt the All Blacks’ number 9 for now and the future.
betcha Pick, First Five | Damian McKenzie
Official | Damian McKenzie
The conductor of the most dominant side in the league gets the nod here, as McKenzie has once again stamped his authority on the Super Rugby competition this season. He leads the league in scoring by an eye-watering 67 points, racking up a total of 171 points throughout the season. McKenzie has likely put together another campaign that gives him first dibs on the All Blacks’ number 10 jersey, although there are still some questions about whether he can translate that form to the international level.
betcha Pick, Second Five | Timoci Tavatavanawai
Official | Timoci Tavatavanawai
Maybe the runner-up in MVP for me this season was Highlanders captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, who has firmly put his hand up for All Blacks selection. He leads Super Rugby in breakdown turnovers with 30 and also made 113 tackles. On the ball, Tavatavanawai is just as dominant, recording 176 carries, beating 78 defenders, and gaining 495 post-contact meters. His tenacity and physical tools make him an intriguing prospect for Scott Robertson to consider, and I believe he has earned a spot in the matchday 23 for the All Blacks this season as he can cover 11 through 14.
betcha Pick, Center | Billy Procter
Official | AJ Lam
The Hurricanes co-captain has put together an outstanding season since returning from a pre-season injury that caused him to miss plenty of time early on. However, with Proctor’s arrival in the 13 jersey for the Canes, it was no surprise the team improved dramatically. Proctor is elite defensively and incredibly elusive with the ball in his hands, while also possessing great playmaking skills at 13. His form this year had a huge impact that turned the season around for the men in yellow, and he could be Robertson’s 13 going forward.
betcha Pick, Wing | Harry Potter
Official | Harry Potter
Another man in line for plenty of international honors this year is Western Force winger Harry Potter. The outside back was third in meters gained in the competition while also creating the second most clean breaks with 20 throughout the season. While he didn’t score many tries, he is an electric player who undoubtedly offered the Force one of their most dangerous options when going wide all year. After his brief stint in yellow last year, it would be a surprise if he didn’t get another opportunity this year.
betcha Pick, Wing | Kyren Taumoefolau
Official | Kini Naholo
Taumoefolau was the breakout player of this year’s Super Rugby campaign, as his rare blend of speed, power, size, and elusiveness makes him one of the most exciting players in rugby. His stellar nine-try season and ability to run around or straight through defenders with his freakish physical traits will no doubt put him in contention for All Blacks selection soon enough, should he choose to switch allegiance from Tonga, who he represented at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The next question is whether the rumors of his move to the Chiefs are true, and if so, how he will fit in next year.
betcha Pick, Fullback | Tom Wright
Official | Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Wright put together an impressive season, emerging as one of the most efficient attacking threats in the competition. The newly re-signed Wallabies fullback was the only player to surpass 1,000 meters gained this season, proving he is one of the most dynamic players in the world with the ball in his hands. He’s not just a ball runner either, his nine try assists this year rank among the strongest in the league, showing that he can both create for others and get his own. For the Brumbies to make any noise in the postseason, they will need Wright at his attacking best, especially with the difficult road ahead if they hope to win the championship.