Jump to content

2026 Super Rugby Pacific season

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2026 Super Rugby Pacific season
Countries Australia (4 teams)
Fiji (1 team)
New Zealand (5 teams)
Pacific Islands (1 team)
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
Matches played15
Tries scored124 (8.27 per match)
Top point scorer(s) Ben Donaldson, Force (36)
Top try scorer(s) Charlie Cale, Brumbies (5)
Official websitesuper.rugby/superrugby
← 2025 (Previous) (Next) 2027 →

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season[a] is the 31st season of the Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR between teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and a combined team from Samoa, Tonga and other Pacific Island nations. It is the 30th anniversary of the competition, having been established in 1996.[3] The fixtures were released on 28 August 2025, and features the return of Super Round in Christchurch, New Zealand.[4]

The defending champions are the Crusaders.[5][6]

Format and competition

[edit]

Unchanged from last season (2025), eleven teams compete in a round-robin format, playing fourteen matches each (seven home, seven away), with two byes.[3] Teams face four "rivals" twice and six others once. The top six advance to the Qualifying Finals: 1st vs 6th, 2nd vs 5th, and 3rd vs 4th. Winners and the highest-seeded losing team move to the semi-finals. Newly introduced for 2026,[3] rather than losing one seeding rank as in the previous season, the highest-ranked losing team enters as the fourth seed, playing away in the Semi-finals, and, if they advance, in the Final.[3][7]

Standings are based on competition points: four for a win, two for a draw, and none for a loss. Bonus points are awarded for scoring three or more tries than the opponent or losing by seven points or fewer.[8]

Law changes

[edit]

In February 2026, just weeks before the start of the season, it was revealed that some of the existing laws pertaining to restarts, kicking/territory, rucks, and the television match official (TMO), would be amended in order to reduce stoppages, keep the ball-in-play longer, and simplify the viewing experience.[9][10][11] The law changes, as laid out by The Sydney Morning Herald, state:[12]

  • It will no longer be mandatory for the referee to issue a yellow or red card to a player on the defending team when awarding a penalty try. Any sanction will be at the discretion of the referee. (Law 8.3)
  • Accidental offsides and teams delaying playing the ball away from a ruck will result in free kicks rather than scrums. (Law 10.5 and Law 15.17)
  • After the referee has called "use it" at the ruck, no additional players from the team in possession may join the ruck. (Law 15.17)
  • Teams will be permitted to pass the ball back into their half before kicking a 50:22. (Law 18.8a)
  • Players will be allowed to take quick taps within one metre either side of the of the mark, or anywhere behind the mark, if they are within that two-metre channel running parallel to the touchlines. (Law 20.2)
  • The television match official (TMO) will only intervene unprompted if the referee has overlooked an act of serious foul play (yellow card level or above), or a clear and obvious infringement leading to a try.

These changes were reported to have "emphatic support" amongst Super Rugby clubs, match officials and stakeholders.[13] Sports news website Planet Rugby gave a positive assessment about law changes that give referees more discretion and help speed the game up, particularly removing the mandatory card for penalty tries, tightening the "use it" ruck law to kill caterpillars, and allowing more flexibility for quick taps.[14] The website was critical of removing scrums for accidental offsides and tweaking the 50/22 law, arguing these risk depowering the scrum, encouraging more kicking, and pushes the sport away from its traditional balance of playing styles, and commented that "it is another example of the Australian and Kiwi bigwigs trying to limit the impact of the set-piece."[14] The law changes were also heavily criticised by French former Test rugby referee Mathieu Raynal, whom stated to Sud Radio: "They [the Southern Hemisphere] want more passing, more tries, less time spent in mauls and scrums. Whereas we [the Northern Hemisphere] defend these specific elements and are against directions being set by the Southern Hemisphere. Our championship works, our stadiums are full, rugby is more watched than football in the country. We don't want to follow directions coming from countries where stadiums are empty, where they are trying to recreate spectacle and bring people back to stadiums at any cost..."[12]

Teams and personnel

[edit]
Further information: Super Rugby franchise areas

Overview

[edit]
Union Team Stadia information Coach Captain
Stadia Capacity
Australia Brumbies GIO Stadium, Canberra 25,011 Stephen Larkham[15]
Force HBF Park, Perth 20,500 Simon Cron[18] Jeremy Williams[19]
HIF Health Insurance Oval, Joondalup 16,000
Reds Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 52,500 Les Kiss[20] Fraser McReight[21]
Waratahs Allianz Stadium, Sydney 42,500 Dan McKellar[22] Matt Philip[23]
Fiji Drua Churchill Park, Lautoka 11,000 Glen Jackson[24]
4R Electrical Govind Park, Ba 13,500
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva 15,446
New Zealand Blues Eden Park, Auckland 60,000 Vern Cotter[26]
Chiefs FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton 25,800 Jono Gibbes[29] Luke Jacobson[30]
Crusaders Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch 17,104 Rob Penney[31] David Havili[32]
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch 30,000
Highlanders Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 30,748 Jamie Joseph[33]
Hurricanes Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington[d] 34,500 Clark Laidlaw
McLean Park, Napier 19,700
Pacific Islands[e] Moana Pasifika North Harbour Stadium, Albany 14,000 Tana Umaga[39] Miracle Faiʻilagi[40]
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe 12,000

Locations

[edit]
Home locations of all the 2026 Super Rugby teams

Regular season

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
2026 Super Rugby Pacific standings
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Brumbies 3 3 0 0 136 75 +61 20 11 2 0 14 Qualifying finals
2 Waratahs 2 2 0 0 72 25 +47 11 3 2 0 10
3 Chiefs 3 2 0 1 78 81 −3 12 11 0 0 8
4 Hurricanes 2 1 0 1 72 35 +37 11 5 1 1 6
5 Blues 3 1 0 2 84 81 +3 12 11 0 2 6
6 Reds 2 1 0 1 43 50 −7 7 7 1 0 5
7 Crusaders 3 1 0 2 90 108 −18 12 16 0 1 5
8 Highlanders 3 1 0 2 62 80 −18 8 11 0 1 5
9 Force 3 1 0 2 91 117 −26 12 17 0 0 4
10 Drua 3 1 0 2 64 96 −32 8 15 0 0 4
11 Moana Pasifika 3 1 0 2 69 113 −44 11 17 0 0 4
Updated to match(es) played on 28 February 2026. Source: Super Rugby

Round-by-round

[edit]

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:

Team progression
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 QF SF Final
Blues 1
(7th) 		5
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		Bye Bye
Brumbies 5
(1st) 		10
(1st) 		14
(1st) 		Bye Bye
Chiefs 4
(4th) 		8
(3rd) 		8
(3rd) 		Bye Bye
Crusaders 1
(6th) 		1
(8th) 		5
(7th) 		Bye Bye
Drua 0
(9th) 		0
(10th) 		4
(10th) 		Bye Bye
Force 0
(11th) 		0
(11th) 		4
(9th) 		Bye Bye
Highlanders 4
(5th) 		5
(6th) 		5
(8th) 		Bye Bye
Hurricanes 0
(8th) 		5
(4th) 		6
(4th) 		Bye
Moana Pasifika 4
(3rd) 		4
(7th) 		4
(11th) 		Bye Bye
Reds 0
(10th) 		0
(9th) 		5
(6th) 		Bye
Waratahs 5
(2nd) 		10
(2nd) 		10
(2nd) 		Bye
Key: Win Draw Loss Bye DNQ = Did not qualify

Matches

[edit]
Further information: List of 2026 Super Rugby Pacific matches
Home \ Away BLU BRU CHI CRU DRU FOR HIG HUR MOA RED WAR
Blues — 15–19 7 Mar 28 Mar 17 Apr 16 May 15 Mar 25 Apr
Brumbies 30–27 — 20 Mar 18 Apr 9 May 30 May 7 Mar 27 Mar
Chiefs 30 May — 33–43 26 Apr 15 May 18 Apr 6 Mar 4 Apr
Crusaders 8 May 24–50 22 May — 3 Apr 14 Mar 29 May 24 Apr
Drua 14 Mar — 11 Apr 2 May 25–20 26–40 21 Mar 16 May
Force 32–42 24–56 28 Mar 18 Apr 23 May — 16 May 30 May
Highlanders 10 Ap 23–26 25–23 7 Mar — 20 Mar 26 Apr 9 May
Hurricanes 11 Apr 25 Apr 1 May 13 Mar 23 May — 52–10 28 Mar
Moana Pasifika 2 May 11 Apr 21 Mar 19–35 27 Mar 9 May — 23 May
Reds 2 May 8 May 11 Apr 29 May 4 Apr 31–14 — 14 Mar
Waratahs 21 Mar 22 May 36–13 1 May 6 Mar 17 Apr 36–12 —
Updated to match(es) played on 28 February 2026. Source: Super Rugby
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Finals series

[edit]
Qualifying finalsSemi-finalsFinal
TBD
TBD
TBDTBD
TBD
TBD

Qualifying finals

[edit]
TBD
v
TBD
v
TBD
v
TBD
v

Semi-finals

[edit]
TBD
v
TBD
v

Final

[edit]
TBD
v

Statistics

[edit]
As of 28 February 2026.[41]

Leading point scorers

[edit]
No. Player Team Points Average Details
1 Ben Donaldson Force 36 12.00 1 T, 11 C, 3 P, 0 D
2 Ryan Lonergan Brumbies 27 9.00 1 T, 8 C, 2 P, 0 D
3 Charlie Cale Brumbies 25 8.33 5 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D
4 Stephen Perofeta Blues 24 8.00 1 T, 8 C, 1 P, 0 D
5 Cam Millar Highlanders 22 7.33 0 T, 5 C, 4 P, 0 D
6 Max Jorgensen Waratahs 20 10.00 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D
Taha Kemara Crusaders 20 6.67 0 T, 7 C, 2 P, 0 D
Samisoni Taukei'aho Chiefs 20 6.67 4 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D
9 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula Drua 18 9.00 0 T, 3 C, 4 P, 0 D
Josh Jacomb Chiefs 18 6.00 0 T, 9 C, 0 P, 0 D

Leading try scorers

[edit]
No. Player Team Tries Average
1 Charlie Cale Brumbies 5 1.67
2 Max Jorgensen Waratahs 4 2.00
Samisoni Taukei'aho Chiefs 4 1.33
4 Miracle Faiʻilagi Moana Pasifika 3 1.00
Fehi Fineanganofo Hurricanes 3 1.50
Christian Lio-Willie Crusaders 3 1.00
Declan Meredith Brumbies 3 1.00
Josh Moorby Hurricanes 3 1.50
Carlo Tizzano Force 3 1.00
10 14 players 2

Discipline

[edit]
Player Team Red Yellow Round (vs. opponent)
Tevita Alatini Brumbies 0 1 Round 1 (vs. Force)
Kaylum Boshier Chiefs 0 1 Round 1 (vs. Blues)
Dominic Gardiner Crusaders 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Brumbies)
Noah Hotham Crusaders 0 1 Round 3 (vs. Chiefs)
Vaiuta Latu Reds 0 1 Round 1 (vs. Waratahs)
Jona Nareki Highlanders 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Chiefs)
Cadeyrn Neville Brumbies 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Crusaders)
Sam Nock Blues 0 1 Round 1 (vs. Chiefs)
Reuben O'Neill Chiefs 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Highlanders)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa Force 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Blues)
Stephen Perofeta Blues 0 1 Round 3 (vs. Brumbies)
Antonio Shalfoon Crusaders 0 1 Round 2 (vs. Brumbies)
Mesake Vocevoce Drua 0 1 Round 1 (vs. Moana Pasifika)

Players

[edit]

Squads

[edit]

The following squads have been named. Players listed as WTG are players named in the wider training groups. Players listed as Dev are players named in development groups. Players listed in italics denote non-original squad members:

Blues squad[42][43]
Forwards Ben Ake • Torian Barnes • Josh Beehre • Cam Christie • Che Clark • Tristyn Cook • Sam Darry • Kurt Eklund • Josh Fusitu'a • Jordan Lay • Sam Matenga • Laghlan McWhannell • James Mullan • Dalton Papali'i • Terrell Peita • Marcel Renata • Anton Segner • Bradley Slater • Hoskins Sotutu • Cameron Suafoa • Patrick Tuipulotu • Mason Tupaea • Ofa Tuʻungafasi • Malachi Wrampling • Flyn Yates
Backs Pita Ahki • Kade Banks • Beauden Barrett • James Cameron • Finlay Christie • Caleb Clarke • Corey Evans • Cole Forbes • Taufa Funaki • AJ Lam • Sam Nock • Stephen Perofeta • Rico Simpson • Payton Spencer • Zarn Sullivan • Xavi Taele • Cody Vai
WTG Torian Barnes • Hemopo Cunningham • Tima Faingaʻanuku • Esile Fono • Leo Gordon • Jack Lee • Sam Matenga • Jed Melvin • Eli Oudenryn • Josh Renton • Harlyn Saunoa • Mason Tupaea
Coach Vern Cotter
Brumbies squad[44]
Forwards Allan Alaalatoa • Tevita Alatini • Liam Bowron • Charlie Cale • Harvey Cordukes • Nick Frost • Lington Ieli • Lachlan Lonergan • Toby MacPherson • Chris Mickelson • Cadeyrn Neville • Billy Pollard • Luke Reimer • Blake Schoupp • Rory Scott • Lachlan Shaw • James Slipper • Tuaina Taii Tualima • Rob Valetini • Rhys van Nek
Backs Austin Anderson • Hudson Creighton • Joe Dillon • Tane Edmed • David Feliuai • Ryan Lonergan • Jarrah McLeod • Declan Meredith • Andy Muirhead • Dan Nelson • Kye Oates • Kadin Pritchard • Ollie Sapsford • Klayton Thorn • Corey Toole • Shane Wilcox • Tom Wright
Coach Stephen Larkham
Chiefs squad[45][46]
Forwards Naitoa Ah Kuoi • Sione Ahio • Kaylum Boshier • Jahrome Brown • George Dyer • Samipeni Finau • Luke Jacobson • Taine Kolose • Benet Kumeroa • Josh Lord • Brodie McAlister • Ollie Norris • Reuben O'Neill • Simon Parker • Jared Proffit • Fiti Sa • Jayden Sa • Wallace Sititi • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Tyrone Thompson • Tupou Vaa'i • Aisake Vakasiuola
Backs Kyle Brown • Leroy Carter • Tepaea Cook-Savage • Liam Coombes-Fabling • Lalakai Foketi • Isaac Hutchinson • Josh Jacomb • Damian McKenzie • Etene Nanai-Seturo • Emoni Narawa • Cortez Ratima • Xavier Roe • Daniel Rona • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Kyren Taumoefolau • Quinn Tupaea
WTG AJ Alatimu • Tamiro Armstrong • Cohen Brady-Leathem • Cam Church • Dylan Eti • Jai Knight • Michael Loft • Will Martin • Reon Paul • JJ Pokai • Daniel Sinkinson • Keran van Staden
Coach Jono Gibbes
Crusaders squad[47][48]
Forwards Scott Barrett • George Bell • Ethan Blackadder • George Bower • Finlay Brewis • Tahlor Cahill • Seb Calder • Dominic Gardiner • Cullen Grace • Jamie Hannah • Liam Jack • Corey Kellow • Manumaua Letiu • Christian Lio-Willie • Fletcher Newell • Xavier Saifoloi • Antonio Shalfoon • Kershawl Sykes-Martin • Codie Taylor • Will Tucker • Tamaiti Williams
Backs Toby Bell • Louie Chapman • Braydon Ennor • Leicester Faingaʻanuku • Chay Fihaki • David Havili • Noah Hotham • Will Jordan • Taha Kemara • Maloni Kunawave • Dallas McLeod • Johnny McNicholl • Kyle Preston • Sevu Reece • Rivez Reihana • Macca Springer • Aki Tuivailala • James White
WTG Jae Broomfield • Gus Brown • Mitchell Drummond • Cooper Grant • Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo • Johnny Lee • Kurtis MacDonald • Tomasi Maka • Oli Mathis • Cooper Roberts • Jack Sexton • Xavier Treacy
Coach Rob Penney
Drua squad[49][50]
Forwards Penaia Cakobau • Elia Canakaivata • Mesake Doge • Mesu Dolokoto • Haereiti Hetet • Temo Mayanavanua • Vilive Miramira • Motikai Murray • Isoa Nasilasila • Peni Ravai • Kitione Salawa • Angelo Smith • Kavaia Tagivetaua • Joseva Tamani • Samu Tawake • Zuriel Togiatama • Meli Tuni • Emosi Tuqiri • Isoa Tuwai • Mesake Vocevoce • Etonia Waqa
Backs Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula • Philip Baselala • Isikeli Basiyalo • Ilaisa Droasese • Issak Fines-Leleiwasa • Simione Kuruvoli • Ponepati Loganimasi • Frank Lomani • Manasa Mataele • Epeli Momo • Iosefo Namoce • Joji Nasova • Aisea Nawai • Isikeli Rabitu • Taniela Rakuro • Tuidraki Samusamuvodre • Inia Tabuavou • Maika Tuitubou • Virimi Vakatawa • Kemu Valetini
Dev Moses Armstrong-Ravula • Bogi Kikau • Breyton Legge • Pita Manamanaivalu • Maleli Nauvasi • Kalioni Ratunabuabua • Sairusi Ravudi • Harold Rounds • JD Sivivatu Kanth • Joshua Uluibau • Janeiro Wakeham • Joweli Walevu
Coach Glen Jackson
Force squad[51]
Forwards Albert Alcock • Nick Champion de Crespigny • Jack Daly • Nic Dolly • Vaiolini Ekuasi • Misinale Epenisa • Sef Fa'agase • Lopeti Faifua • Feao Fotuaika • Will Harris • Harry Johnson-Holmes • Kane Koteka • Franco Molina • Titi Nofoagatotoa • Leonel Oviedo • Brandon Paenga-Amosa • Marley Pearce • Tom Robertson • Joshua Smith • Darcy Swain • Tiaan Tauakipulu • Carlo Tizzano • Jeremy Williams
Backs Kurtley Beale • George Bridge • Max Burey • Ben Donaldson • Boston Fakafanua • Mac Grealy • Nathan Hastie • Alex Harford • Bayley Kuenzle • Darby Lancaster • Ronan Leahy • Agustín Moyano • Henry Palmer • Divad Palu • Doug Philipson • Dylan Pietsch • Henry Robertson • Hamish Stewart
Coach Simon Cron
Highlanders squad[52][53]
Forwards Josh Bartlett • Henry Bell • Nikora Broughton • Lucas Casey • Tai Cribb • Ethan de Groot • Mitchell Dunshea • Oliver Haig • Fabian Holland • TK Howden • Sefo Kautai • Veveni Lasaqa • Tomás Lavanini • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Saula Ma'u • Hugh Renton • Will Stodart • Angus Taʻavao • Jack Taylor • Soane Vikena • Rohan Wingham • Sean Withy
Backs Folau Fakatava • Finn Hurley • Andrew Knewstubb • Adam Lennox • Jonah Lowe • Cam Millar • Jona Nareki • Reesjan Pasitoa • Dylan Pledger • Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens • Taine Robinson • Stanley Solomon • Caleb Tangitau • Timoci Tavatavanawai • Jake Te Hiwi • Tanielu Teleʻa • Xavier Tito-Harris • Josh Whaanga
WTG Lucas Casey • Meihana Grindlay • Tayne Harvey • Senita Lauaki • A-One Lolofie • Ben Lopas • Nic Shearer • Josh Tengblad • Rohan Wingham
Coach Jamie Joseph
Hurricanes squad[54][55]
Forwards Tom Allen • Asafo Aumua • Vernon Bason • Warner Dearns • Caleb Delany • Jacob Devery • Devan Flanders • Brayden Iose • Du'Plessis Kirifi • Peter Lakai • Siale Lauaki • Tyrel Lomax • Tevita Mafileo • Xavier Numia • Matolu Petaia • Hugo Plummer • Arese Poliko • Pouri Rakete-Stones • Brad Shields • Pasilio Tosi • Raymond Tuputupu • Isaia Walker-Leawere
Backs Jordie Barrett • Brett Cameron • Lucas Cashmore • Ere Enari • Fehi Fineanganofo • Harry Godfrey • Callum Harkin • Riley Higgins • Ruben Love • Josh Moorby • Kini Naholo • Billy Proctor • Ngane Punivai • Cam Roigard • Jone Rova • Bailyn Sullivan • Josh Timu • Jordi Viljoen
WTG Mosese Bason • Will Cole • Taniela Filimone • Cooper Flanders • Josh Gray • Anaru Paenga-Morgan • Matolu Petaia • Taine Roiri • Tony Tafa • Jai Tamati • Logan Wallace • Drew Wild
Coach Clark Laidlaw
Moana Pasifika squad[56]
Forwards Tupou Afungia • Alefosio Aho • Chris Apoua • Allan Craig • Miracle Faiʻilagi • Lolani Faleiva • Malakai Hala-Ngatai • Mamoru Harada • Niko Jones • Paula Latu • Sam Moli • Semisi Paea • Abraham Pole • Veikoso Poloniati • Dominic Ropeti • Feleti Sae-Taʻufoʻou • Mills Sanerivi • Tom Savage • Ofa Tauatevalu • Ola Tauelangi • Konrad Toleafoa • Tito Tuipulotu • Sam Tuitupou • Jimmy Tupou • Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa
Backs Solomon Alaimalo • Jackson Garden-Bachop • William Havili • Lalomilo Lalomilo • Joel Lam • Tevita Latu • Ngani Laumape • Israel Leota • Melani Matavao • Siaosi Nginingini • Tevita Ofa • Patrick Pellegrini • Faletoi Peni • Tyler Pulini • Augustine Pulu • Denzel Samoa • Julian Savea • Jonathan Taumateine • Simon-Peter Toleafoa • Tuna Tuitama • Glen Vaihu
Coach Tana Umaga
Reds squad[57]
Forwards Richie Asiata • George Blake • Nick Bloomfield • Joe Brial • Charlie Brosnan • John Bryant • Josh Canham • Massimo de Lutiis • Matt Faessler • Zac Hough • Trevor King • Vaiuta Latu • Fraser McReight • Hamish Muller • Josh Nasser • Zane Nonggorr • Tom Robinson • Aidan Ross • Will Ross • Lukhan Salakaia-Loto • Jeffery Toomaga-Allen • Seru Uru • Harrison Usher • Kingsley Uys • Harry Wilson
Backs Lachie Anderson • Jock Campbell • Nicholas Conway • Filipo Daugunu • Josh Flook • Frankie Goldsbrough • Carter Gordon • Isaac Henry • Tom Lynagh • Finn Mackay • James Martens • Will McCulloch • Tate McDermott • Harry McLaughlin-Phillips • Heremaia Murray • Hunter Paisami • Dre Pakeho • Treyvon Pritchard • Xavier Rubens • Tim Ryan • Kalani Thomas • Ben Volavola • Louis Werchon
Coach Les Kiss
Waratahs squad[58]
Forwards Jamie Adamson • Miles Amatosero • Siosifa Amone • Jack Barrett • Angus Blyth • Daniel Botha • Ethan Dobbins • Eamon Doyle • Austin Durbridge • Folau Fainga'a • Charlie Gamble • Will Goddard • Ben Grant • Clem Halaholo • Lachlan Hooper • Isaac Aedo Kailea • Tom Lambert • Ioane Moananu • Matt Philip • Apolosi Ranawai • Pete Samu • Angus Scott-Young • Leafi Talataina
Backs Jack Bowen • Lawson Creighton • Jack Debreczeni • Jake Gordon • Sid Harvey • James Hendren • Leo Jacques • Max Jorgensen • Andrew Kellaway • Michael McDonald • George Poolman • Harry Potter • Triston Reilly • Archie Saunders • Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i • Joey Walton • Teddy Wilson
Coach Dan McKellar

Referees

[edit]

The following referees were selected to officiate the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season:[59][60][61][62]

2026 Super Rugby Pacific referees
Australia Nic Berry • Angus Gardner • Damon Murphy • Jordan Way
New Zealand James Doleman • Angus Mabey • Ben O'Keeffe • Todd Petrie • Marcus Playle • Paul Williams

See also

[edit]

2025–26 United Rugby Championship

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Known as the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific in Australia[1] and Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in Fiji for sponsorship reasons.[2]
  2. ^ Lonergan was named team captain ahead of the first round, covering for team captain Allan Alaalatoa, who is out with injury.[17]
  3. ^ Patrick Tuipulotu is not expected to return until Round 9 due to injury;[28] Papali'i was named captain ahead of the first round.[27]
  4. ^ Known as Sky Stadium from 2020 until 28 February 2026 and as Hnry Stadium from 1 March 2026 onwards.[35]
  5. ^ Although based in Auckland, New Zealand, the Moana Pasifika holds no official relationship with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and was established to "create opportunities" to players from Pacific Islands countries.[37] They often play one or two matches per season in Tonga and/or Samoa. Furthermore, the team is owned by Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMAG), a medical provider based in New Zealand.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sim, Josh (10 October 2025). "Super Rugby nabs 'multimillion-dollar' Swyftx crypto title deal in Australia". SportsPro.
  2. ^ "Shop N Save Supermarket Renews Sponsorship With Fijian Drua For Three More Seasons". drua.rugby. Fiji Rugby Union. 9 January 2026. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d "Super Rugby celebrates 30th anniversary, unveils 2026 season draw". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 28 August 2025. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ^ Thorpe, Mike (11 August 2025). "Christchurch's new stadium to debut with Super Rugby Pacific Super Round 2026". The New Zealand Herald.
  5. ^ "Live: Crusaders v Chiefs – Super Rugby Pacific final". Stuff. 21 June 2025. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders beat Chiefs to win title". The New Zealand Herald. 21 June 2025.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Brittany (27 August 2025). "Fan backlash sees Super Rugby Pacific finals 'lucky loser' rules changed". ESPN. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Tournament Format – Super Rugby Pacific". SANZAAR. 2024.
  9. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific law changes: What's new for the 2026 season's kick-off". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Why Super Rugby Pacific bosses have told TMOs to stop interfering in matches". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Super Rugby reins in TMO, trials five laws". SA Rugby Magazine. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  12. ^ a b Drennan, Jonathan (4 February 2026). "'Most ridiculous decision': Waugh slams Super Rugby criticism from referee behind infamous Bledisloe call". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific confirms new law innovations for 2026 season". Rugby.com.au. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  14. ^ a b Newboult, Colin (3 February 2026). "Super Rugby law trials judged as the south risks taking sport down 'slippery slope' despite ending the 'bane' of the game". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  15. ^ Williamson, Nathan (30 September 2024). "ACT Brumbies re-sign coach Stephen Larkham until 2026". Rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Allan Alaalatoa to miss start of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season". brumbies.rugby. ACT Brumbies. 23 January 2026. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026. The ACT Brumbies can confirm captain Allan Alaalatoa will miss the start of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season as he continues to recover from an ongoing back issue.
  17. ^ Helmers, Caden (13 February 2026). "A rookie is trying to replace the captain, and Alaalatoa says 'he's unreal'". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 13 February 2026. Ryan Lonergan will captain the Brumbies and partner Meredith in the halves, with Edmed poised to close out the contest in his club debut.
  18. ^ "Simon Cron extends Force stint through 2026". ESPN. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Experienced Force leadership group confirmed for 2026 SRP season". Western Force. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  20. ^ Williamson, Nathan (20 July 2023). "Les Kiss named Queensland Reds coach". Rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. The Queensland Reds have confirmed their new head coach, signing Les Kiss on a three-year deal.
  21. ^ Monteverde, Marco (9 January 2026). "Fraser McReight appointed Queensland Reds captain ahead of Super Rugby Pacific season". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  22. ^ "McKellar confirmed as Waratahs coach on three-year deal". ESPN. 5 July 2024. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024.
  23. ^ Payten, Iain (27 January 2026). "Fight club hasn't damaged team harmony: Waratahs new skipper confident of unity". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  24. ^ "Kiwi Glen Jackson appointed head coach of Fijian Drua". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b Wesele, Tevita (9 January 2026). "Leading at home special for Mayanavanua". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026. Former Northampton Saints lock Temo Mayanavanua is honoured to co-captain the Fijian Drua with Frank Lomani as they set to sail on February 14.
  26. ^ "Blues coach Vern Cotter rewarded with new contract after ending 21-year drought". Stuff. 25 November 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Blues named for season opener against Chiefs". Blues (Press release). 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026. With Patrick Tuipulotu still rehabilitating his shoulder, Dalton Papali'i will captain the Blues as they look get their campaign off to a fast start.
  28. ^ Napier, Liam (10 February 2026). "Hurricanes ready to drop 'nearly men' tag and batte for title contention". ESPN. Retrieved 13 February 2026. The Blues, in Vern Cotter's final season before switching to guide the Reds, welcome back All Blacks Stephen Perofeta and Ofa Tuʻungafasi from injury and experienced midfielder Pita Ahki from France to offset Rieko Ioane's sabbatical stint with Leinster. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu isn't available until round nine while recovering from shoulder surgery and Beauden Barrett will sit out the opening rounds.
  29. ^ Francis, Ben (21 July 2025). "Super Rugby Pacific: Jono Gibbes confirmed as Chiefs coach, replacing Clayton McMillan". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Four on Debut for First Game of Season". chiefs.co.nz. Chiefs. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026. Included in the squad, Gibbes also announced Luke Jacobson will return to his role as captain, with support from Tupou Vaa'i and Quinn Tupaea as vice-captains.
  31. ^ Porter, Joe (30 July 2025). "Rob Penney re-commits as Crusaders coach but set to lose Scott Barrett for Super Rugby". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Captain David Havili ready to lead as Crusaders embrace southern derby". crusaders.co.nz. Crusaders. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  33. ^ Kirkness, Luke (10 August 2023). "Super Rugby: Jamie Joseph returns to Highlanders as head of rugby following stint as Japan coach". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Jamie Joseph is returning to the Highlanders as their head of rugby on a four-year deal.
  34. ^ a b Hodge, Kayla (9 February 2026). "Highlanders retain co-captains for new season". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  35. ^ "Wellington Regional Stadium to be renamed Hnry Stadium as new sponsor signs on". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  36. ^ a b "All Blacks Du'Plessis Kirifi and Jordie Barrett to captain Hurricanes". Radio New Zealand. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  37. ^ McKay, Brett (17 February 2022). "By introducing the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby 2022 centres the Pacific". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022.
  38. ^ Manukuo, Matt (26 July 2024). "'It's more than just rugby': New owners reveal plans to unlock Pacific sporting power". Pacific Media Network. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025.
  39. ^ Hamilton, Tom (27 October 2023). "'I feel the pull of this calling': Tana Umaga on his rugby life, legacy and Pasifika challenge". ESPN. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. That's where Moana Pasifika comes in. Umaga signed a three-year deal with the Super Rugby Pacific franchise in July 2023, charged with heralding in the next batch of Pacific Islands internationals.
  40. ^ Voerman, Andrew (13 January 2026). "Miracle Faiilagi named Moana Pasifika captain for 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Retrieved 17 January 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "Competition Stats | Super Rugby". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  42. ^ "2026 Blues squad announced". Blues (Press release). 6 November 2026. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  43. ^ "Blues confirm 2026 wider training group". Blues (Press release). 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  44. ^ "ACT Brumbies announce 'exciting' squad for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific" (Press release). ACT Brumbies. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  45. ^ "Experience, depth and fresh talent as Gallagher Chiefs name 2026 squad" (Press release). Chiefs. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  46. ^ "Gallagher Chiefs 2026 wider training group" (Press release). Chiefs. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  47. ^ "2026 Crusaders squad announced" (Press release). Crusaders. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  48. ^ "2026 Crusaders Wider Training Group Announced" (Press release). Crusaders. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Fijian Drua unveil 2026 squad" (Press release). Fijian Drua. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  50. ^ "Fijian Drua unveil 12 development players for 2026". Fijian Drua (Press release). 5 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  51. ^ "Continuity the key as driven Force squad revealed for 2026 Super Rugby season" (Press release). Western Force. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  52. ^ "Fresh faces and international experience feature in 2026 Highlanders squad" (Press release). Highlanders. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  53. ^ "Highlanders confirm wider training group for 2026" (Press release). Highlanders. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  54. ^ "Hurricanes announce 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad" (Press release). Hurricanes. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  55. ^ "Hurricanes unveil 12-man wider training group for 2026" (Press release). Hurricanes. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  56. ^ "Moana Pasifika name squad for 2026" (Press release). Moana Pasifika. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  57. ^ "Queensland Reds announce squad for 2026 Super Rugby Pacific" (Press release). Queensland Reds. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  58. ^ "NSW Waratahs squad confirmed for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  59. ^ "2026 Super Rugby Pacific teams: Round one". SANAZAAR. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  60. ^ "2026 Super Rugby Pacific teams: Round two". SANAZAAR. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  61. ^ "2026 Super Rugby Pacific teams: Round three". SANAZAAR. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  62. ^ "2026 Super Rugby Pacific teams: Round four". SANAZAAR. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_Super_Rugby_Pacific_season&oldid=1341739411"