Super Rugby Pacific RECAP: 'Unreal' Waratahs snatch dramatic victory on siren, Crusaders win thrilling derby

Thanks for joining us for night one of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

It kicked off with a bang in the form of two high scoring thrillers.

We'll be back tomorrow for a triple header that starts in Fiji for a clash between the Drua and the Brumbies.

Until then...

Incredible scenes at Allianz Stadium as Siosifa Amone steals a dramatic 37-36 victory for the Waratahs on the siren.

The unheralded reserve prop barged over for his second try of the night and the conversion gave NSW the win.

"Unreal. A dream come true," Amone tells Stan Sport.

This is turning into an extraordinary game of rugby.

We have yet another lead change as Sefo Kautai barges over from the Highlanders who refuse to go away.

The visitors lead 36-30 after 72 minutes.

What is going on at Allianz Stadium?!

This time it's the Waratahs who catch the Highlanders unawares with a beautifully executed lineout play down the blindside.

Superb and big prop Siosifa Amone is the man to crash over and put NSW back in front.

They lead 30-29 after 68 minutes.

Oh dear.

The Highlanders catch the sleepy Waratahs napping from a quick throw in and winger Caleb Tangitau streaks away for his second try of the night.

They lead 29-25 after 67 minutes.

That's what the fans have come to see!

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii ignites the Waratahs with a dancing run - and Max Jorgensen then finds enough space to plant the ball down in the left corner.

"It's a one-two punch from the young superstars," Morgan Turinui says on Stan Sport.

NSW lead 25-22 after 63 minutes.

The Highlanders lead again after a contentious try to Veveni Lasaqa.

Replays weren't clear on whether the replacement forward grounded the ball but it stood after referee Angus Gardner awarded it on the field.

"The try's good? He might have lost it backwards but he lost it," Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport.

The Highlanders lead was short lived.

Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki - with blood streaming from his face - has scored a try from a rolling maul that would have put a smile on the dial of new coach Dan McKellar.

The opportunity came after an unusual penalty against the Highlanders from a box kick.

NSW lead 20-15 after 49 minutes.

The Waratahs lead 13-12 at halftime after a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii burst brought the crowd to its feet.

Suaalii's pass went to ground but Joey Walton scooped it up and nearly found the try-line anyway.

Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau was then yellow carded for cynical play and Tane Edmed booted the penalty for that halftime lead.

Mitch Dunshea's card will remain a yellow after the officials determine that Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki's change in body height providing enough mitigation for the Highlanders lock.

He can return after 10 minutes.

The Highlanders lead 12-10 after 36 minutes.