Sean Maloney: Huge hype building for Tevita Kuridrani clone in early report card for Australia's Super Rugby Pacific sides

The opening weeks of Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 were loaded with upsets, a string of games decided in the final minutes and a bunch of stars emerging from nowhere.

Amen, hallelujah, praise the rugby gods, we're getting the same this year. Sunday's glorious underdog story in Christchurch was as big a shock as we've seen from the Brumbies.

Before their stunning 50-24 thrashing of the Crusaders, they'd gone winless in 26 years in Christchurch. Can you believe that?

Watch the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport

The last time they drank winner's cans in the Garden City, Sydney was getting ready to host the Olympics.

So, two weeks sample size is enough to get excited or concerned depending on who you support.

Let's take a look at where the Aussie sides find themselves after a couple of rounds ahead of some awesome match-ups this weekend.

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THAT BERNIE'S SO HOT RIGHT NOW

Brumbies coach Stephen 'Bernie' Larkham is running hot at the moment.

In week one, he took his side to Perth, which is a nightmare trip at this time of the year.

The combination of 40 degree heat and a three hour time zone change would bring many teams undone, but not Larkham's.

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He had them fizzing to run up 50 points. From there it was a two hour clock change the other way to Christchurch where he had a couple of newbies primed.

It was the first time in club hiostory they've put up back to back half centuries.

In addition to the results, there's a couple of very handy newcomers that Larkham's brought in at the exact right time.

Lachie Shaw is a find in the second row while Kadin Pritchard has been compared to Tevita Kuridrani by Michael Hooper and Morgan Turinui.

Stats guru Kate Lorimer notes that Pritchard is easily the top outside centre in the competition for carries (26), run metres (140) and post-contact metres (40).

He is also top for line breaks and has only missed one tackle in his first 160 minutes of professional rugby. Huge hype.

RECORD: 2-0

SURPRISE PACKET

Fly half Declan Meredith has been in the Brumbies pathway for a few years and is now delivering for the ACT outfit big time.

The 26-year old has under 20 games to his name but has his backline humming with decisive game control and a good turn of pace.

WALLABIES FRAME

Charlie Cale and Ryan Lonergan have a handful of combined Wallabies caps to their names but if their form continues for the remainder of SPR that number will explode.

Lonergan's service and kicking along with his leadership next to Cale's running threat has the Brumbies flying.

NEXT UP: Blues at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

TAHS' TIME TO SHINE

NSW finished eighth last year despite starting the season in tremendous fashion.

Injuries and a squad that didn't suit Dan McKellar's coaching style across the length of the tournament eventually saw them unravel. This year's version look entirely different from that line-up.

A round one win against Queensland, their first against the Reds at the SFS in 10 years, followed by a win over the dangerous Fijian Drua, has them equal top with the Brumbies.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing for Tahs fans is that by their team's own admission, they've burnt a ton of point scoring opportunities.

The scorelines in each of those games could easily have blown out save a few loose passes and bad knock ons.

The forward pack in particular are looking lean and mean while the backs appear to have added a yard or two of pace.

RECORD: 2-0

SURPRISE PACKET

Clem Halaholo scored the team's first try of the year on debut and he looks absolutely at home with the big boys.

The rookie stands 193cm, tips the scales over 110kg and his workrate has been phenomenal.

His combination with veterans Charlie Gamble and Pete Samu is a big reason the Tahs are unbeaten.

WALLABIES FRAME

'Pistol' Pete Samu is 34 but playing like a kid just out of Colts footy.

He was in and around the Wallabies squad late last year but hardly got any game time.

Samu, who played for years under McKellar at the Brumbies, is more than Test capable still.

NEXT UP: Bye in round three, then Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

WEST NEED TO GO NORTH

Despite being handed a manageable draw to begin the season, the Western Force are 0-2 and in immediate need of a turnaround and jump up the ladder.

They've shown they're more than capable vs both the Brumbies and Blues, leading those sides after 30 and 40 minutes respectively.

But their second half fades have been hugely costly.

If those moments can be minimised they certainly have a team that can threaten.

Their line-up for Friday's match with Moana Pasifika is arguably their strongest of 2026 and needs to be.

The Force have won just one of their last 21 games in New Zealand and have lost their last eight matches overall.

Crucially, they have to deliver a performance to re-engage the Sea of Blue, their ultra loyal supporter base.

They have been through plenty over the years but their expectations were high coming into this season. An 0-3 start to the year will take some recovering.

Must win vs Moana, a team they beat in stunning style late last year.

RECORD: 0-2

SURPRISE PACKET

Vaiolini Ekuasi, the former Blues and Rebels backrower, is a known force in Super Rugby but his performances have led to him becoming the Force's out and out go-to in terms of going forward.

He's always been good but he's really shining in the west.

WALLABIES FRAME

Would love to see Mac Grealy given a chance for Wallabies squad time and perhaps even Test experience.

Max Jorgensen has shown fast feet and smarts can beat all and Grealy is a similar player.

REDS TO REBOUND

The Queensland Reds had the bye last week following their loss to NSW in the opener. There's not a lot to take from that match given the injured player list almost filled a starting XV.

This week, there are zero excuses for Les Kiss' men. Back in Brisbane, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson returns alongside flyhalf Carter Gordon who will makes his Reds debut.

Their tight five is as good as any in the competition and there was enough in week one to suggest they can spark a victory.

RECORD: 0-1

SURPRISE PACKET

Again, it's a small sample size after 80 minutes, but Louis Werchon, the Reds scrumhalf, was one of the best players on the park at Allianz.

He's a tough bugger, dropping a rampaging Miles Amatosero and delivering some other key physical exchanges.

Showing all the benefit of additional pro-time in Europe with Italian giants Benetton.

WALLABIES FRAME

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto found it nearly impossible to break into Joe Schmidt's Wallabies squad last year.

He came out throwing shots against NSW and has got to be set for more minutes in gold come July.

You can catch every game of Super Rugby Pacfic lIve, exclusiove and on demand on Stan Sport.