Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round One Preview

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season is finally here as the teams hunt for this year's title.

Once again, it's the Crusaders that will enter the season as the hunted after they defeated the Chiefs in last year's decider.

The chasing pack has never been hotter, with stars flooding into the respective teams such as Jordie Barrett, Carter Gordon and Harry Potter.

Rugby.com.au previews the opening round of action, presented by Bet365

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a

• All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao will make his debut for the club in the front-row.
• Number eight Lucas Casey starts on debut after impressing in the NPC for Canterbury.
• Former Western Force playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa has been named on the bench.

CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Seb Calder, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

Replacements: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Will Jordan

• George Bell starts at hooker, with Codie Taylor set to come off the bench.
• Taylor is joined by Will Jordan, allowing Chay Fihaki to start.
• Leicester Fainga’anuku makes his Crusaders return on the wing.

• The Crusaders have won five of their last six against the Highlanders, including four of their last five in Dunedin.
• The Highlanders are looking to avoid a seven game losing streak, which would be their longest since 2021-22
• The Highlanders have lost their last six matches against NZ opposition by an average of 15.8 points.

Caleb Tangitau v Leicester Fainga’anuku

Fainga’anuku makes his return to the red and black in an exciting match-up of two of the best wingers in NZ.

The All Black has found himself constantly in the national set-up since his move back from France, but young gun Tangitau is hot on his heels.

A strong performance from the Highlander will send a message to selectors that last year was no fluke.

Crusaders by 12

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, James Hendren

Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly

• Matt Philip captains the Waratahs for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific.
• Rookie James Hendren wins the race to start at fullback, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moving into the centres.
• Clem Halaholo is set for his Super Rugby debut, named at blindside flanker.

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, John Bryant, James Martens, Finn Mackay, Xavier Rubens

• Harry McLauglin-Phillips will start at flyhalf, with no Tom Lynagh or Carter Gordon.
• Louis Werchon partners with McLaughlin-Phillips after impressing for URC club Benetton on loan.
• Promising back-rower Vaiuta Latu continues his meteoric rise, replacing the injured Harry Wilson.

• The Reds have won eight of their last nine matches against the Waratahs.
• Both teams have played seven times in the opening round of a season, with the Reds holding a narrow 4-3 lead over the Waratahs.
• The Reds have lost four of their last five matches outside Queensland.

Matt Philip v Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

The battle of the tight-five will decide which team comes out on top, with their two experienced locks at the forefront.

Philip, as captain, needs to steady his pack and prove to be the calming force in his first game as captain.

Meanwhile, Salakaia-Loto will try everything to get under their skin and enforce his physicality, needing to set a strong platform for his inexperienced halves.

Waratahs by 2

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Kemu Valetini, Ponipate Loganimasi, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Manasa Mataele, Ilaisa Droasese

Replacements: Penaia Cakobau, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo

• Temo Mayanavanua debuts for the Drua, co-captaining the team alongside Frank Lomani.
• Former Wallaby Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Manase Mataele also make their club debuts.
• Former French International Virimi Vakatawa starts in the centres.

MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomila, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Denzel Samoa, Glen Vaihu

• William Havili becomes the first Moana Pasifika player to appear in 50 matches
• Miracle Faiilagi skippers the team for the first time, with Ardie Savea in Japan.
• Ex-Rebel Glen Vaihu is in line for his debut on the bench

• Moana Pasifika have won two of their last three against the Fijian Drua, having lost all three previous matches to the Drua.
• The two sides have met in Fiji twice, with both matches decided by seven points or fewer.
• The Drua have alternated wins and losses in their past six, losing their last game.

Ngani Laumape v Virimi Vakatawa

The centre match-up is an interesting face-off between two experienced campaigners, both on their club debuts, for teams desperate for impact.

Laumape shoulders significant responsibility following Ardie Savea's departure, needing to lead from the front.

As for Vakatawa, he has plenty of hype from his time in France, but the shoes of Iosefo Masi are big ones to fill.

Prediction

Drua by 5

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai

• Pita Akhi makes his return from Super Rugby Pacific after a stint with Toulouse.
• 22-year-old Torian Barnes will debut at blindside flanker.
• Dalton Papali’i will captain the Blues with Patrick Tuipulotu on the sidelines.

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Kyren Taumoefolau, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Kyle Brown

• Kyren Taumoefolau makes his club debut after transferring from Moana Pasifika.
• Damian McKenzie is out after the birth of his child, with Josh Jacomb starting at flyhalf.
• Kyle Brown, Benet Kumeroa and Tepaea Cook-Savage will get the opportunity to make their debuts from the bench.

• The Chiefs are gunning for consecutive wins over the Blues for the first time since 2014.
• The Chiefs have won the last three round one matches between the two teams.
• The Blues finished the year with wins in three of their last four matches, as many as they had won in the ten matches prior.

Samisoni Taukei’aho v Bradley Slater

It’s a battle of former teammates as Slater looks to show the Chiefs what they've been missing.

Slater is a handy addition to the Blues pack, making good use of limited opportunities to find himself starting for All Blacks XV.

Taukei’aho will be eager to get one up on his former teammate and build off his last Test start against Wales. 

Chiefs by 4

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Franco Molina, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

• Harry Johnson-Holmes returns to Super Rugby for the first time in over 600 days.
• Los Pumas lock Franco Molina is one of seven on their Force debut, including former All Black George Bridge.
• Perth-born former Highlander Nathan Hastie partners Ben Donaldson in the halves.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton

• Kadin Pritchard makes his starting debut at inside centre.
• Tane Edmed will make his club debut off the bench, with Declan Meredith getting the start.
• Charlie Cale returns from a back injury at number eight.

• The Brumbies have won seven of their last eight against the Force at HBF Park.
• Each of the last three SRP matches between the two teams have been won by the away team.
• The Force have been to Extra Time in two of their last six matches.

Ben Donaldson v Declan Meredith

Donaldson has a prime opportunity to send a clear message with a number of other Wallabies flyhalves either on the bench or not playing.

The gold ten jersey is wide open, with a strong game from the Force vice-captain putting him firmly in the mix.

As for Meredith, he will be on bolter watch if he finds a way to lead an understrength Brumbies team to victory in the west.

Brumbies by 3