Live blog: Super Rugby Pacific Round Five

The fifth round of Super Rugby Pacific is in the books. Relive all the action in the live blog below, or check out our round recap here.

Super Rugby Pacific Round Five headlines

Brumbies unbeaten streak comes to an end

Crusaders winger steals the show

Waratahs nightmare start to 2023 season continues 

All Black ‘work horse’ impresses for Chiefs

Highlanders win big against Fijian Drua

World-class veteran steals the show for Landers

Hurricanes blow Moana Pasifika away

Canes winger continues brilliant form in SRP

Brad Thorn’s Reds fall to Rebels in thriller

Force no match for new-look Blues

Perofeta shines in the No. 10 for Blues

Key team news

All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane, Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papali’i weren’t considered for this match due to the national teams resting policy.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Alex Hodgman and James Lay have also been ruled out due to injuries – Hodgman is out for the rest of the season while Tuivasa-Sheck is set to miss “at least a month.”

In total, the Blues have made 12 changes to their starting XV. Playmaker Harry Plummer with captain the team from inside centre.

As for the Force, they’ve made four changes to their run-on side. Among the changes, Sam Spink will start at outside centre for the Perth-based outfit.

Round Five MVP votes (3-2-1)

Crusaders vs Brumbies – Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)

Waratahs vs Chiefs – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Emoni Narawa (Chiefs), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)

Highlanders vs Fijian Drua – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders), Nikora Broughton (Highlanders)

Moana Pasifika vs Hurricanes – Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes)

Rebels vs Reds – Monty Ioane (Rebels), Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Josh Flook (Reds)

Blues vs Force – Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Mark Telea (Blues), Anton Segner (Blues)

MVP candidates leader board

11 points – Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)

6 points – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Hamish Stewart (Force), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders), Richard Hardwick (Rebels), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Tevita Ikanivere (Drua)

5 points – Cam Roigard (Hurricanes), Jordan Petaia (Reds), Mark Telea (Blues)

4 points – Carter Gordon (Rebels), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Emoni Narawa (Chiefs), Iosefo Masi (Drua), Josh Flook (Reds), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Sam Gilbert (Highlanders)

3 points – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Andy Muirhead (Brumbies), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders)

2 points – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Danny Toala (Moana), David Havili (Crusaders), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Harry Wilson (Reds), Luke Reimer (Brumbies), Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies), Taj Annan (Reds), Tane Edmed (Waratahs), Tom Wright (Brumbies)

1 point – Abraham Pole (Moana), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), Anton Segner (Blues), Beauden Barrett (Blues), Eroni Sau (Drua), Finlay Christie (Blues), Josh Moorby (Hurricanes), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Levi Aumua (Moana), Liam Wright (Reds), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Nikora Broughton (Highlanders), Ollie Callan (Force), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Tim Anstee (Force)