Super Rugby Pacific 2026 teams confirmed

Can the Crusaders win Super Rugby Paicifc again in 2026 PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Can the Crusaders win in the Siuper Rugby's 30th season, especially in a new stadium or can the Chiefs beat them to a title?

What about the Blues? Are they strong enough acorss the field while the same games for the Hurricanes.

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The Highlanders look to be a stronger squad as rugby appears to be revivied in Otago and Southland while Moana Pasifika might be missing Ardie Savea in 2026 but now have confidence in their own ability after some big wins last season.

The Blues have named a 38-player squad with a strong mix of homegrown young talent and returning stars.

Midfielder Pita Ahki rejoins the club after several successful years in Europe, with Rieko Ioane on sabbatical in Ireland. Head Coach Vern Cotter will welcome the return of veteran All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, the Auckland-based team’s second most capped player who sat out the 2025 season with a neck injury.

Bradley Slater has been enticed up State Highway 1, with the former Chiefs hooker bringing experience to a powerful front row group.

Blues

Props: Ben Ake, Flyn Yates, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu'a, Marcel Renata, Ofa Tu'ungafasi

Hookers: Bradley Slater, James Mullan, Kurt Eklund

Locks: Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tristyn Cook

Loose Forwards: Anton Segner, Cameron Christie, Che Clark, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Malachi Wrampling, Terrell Peita

Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki

First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Rico Simpson, Stephen Perofeta

Midfield: AJ Lam, Corey Evans, James Cameron, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele

Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Cody Vai, Cole Forbes, Kade Banks, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan

The Chiefs have a new head coach in Jono Gibbes at the helm and a good balance between experience and emerging talent in their 2026 squad.

New arrvals included Kyren Taumoefolau from Moana Pasifika, a star of Super Rugby Pacific in 2025, with nine tries to his name.

Hooker Tyrone Thompson returns following a year playing rugby league, bolstering a forward pack that also welcomes prop Benet Kumeroa and hooker Taine Kolose from this year's wider training group.

Chiefs centurion Anton Lienert-Brown on sabbatical in 2026, the signing of former NSW Waratahs midfielder Lalakai Foketi brings versatility and proven Super Rugby Pacific experience to the midfield.

Chiefs

Props: Benet Kumeroa, George Dyer, Jared Proffit, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Ahio

Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Taine Kolose, Tyrone Thompson

Locks: Aisake Vakasiuola, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i

Loose Forwards: Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Xavier Roe

First Fives: Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Tepaea Cook-Savage

Midfield: Daniel Rona, Kyle Brown, Lalakai Foketi, Quinn Tupaea

Outside Backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Isaac Hutchinson, Kyren Taumoefolau, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling

The Crusaders have .Leicester Fainga’anuku back as they try to defend their title.

The squad is settled, with two notable up and coming inclusions. Rob Penney has named two stars from the 2025 New Zealand Under 20s team, winger Maloni Kunawave, alongside hooker and captain, Manumaua Letiu.

Fresh off a standout campaign for Canterbury in the NPC, halfback Louie Chapman has been named in the squad alongside Noah Hotham and Kyle Preston.

Crusaders

Props: Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Tamaiti Williams

Hookers: Codie Taylor, George Bell, Manumaua Letiu

Locks: Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Liam Jack, Scott Barrett, Tahlor Cahill

Loose Forwards: Dominic Gardiner, Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Xavier Saifoloi

Halfbacks: Kyle Preston, Louie Chapman, Noah Hotham

First Fives: James White, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara

Midfield: Aki Tuivailala, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Toby Bell

Outside Backs: Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicoll, Macca Springer, Maloni Kunawave, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has gone international for Super Rugby Pacific 2026, with 86-test Argentine lock Tomas Lavanini coming to the deep south following a five-year stint in France’s Top 14.

They've recruited two stars of the 2025 New Zealand Under-20s team in Stanley Solomon and Dylan Pledger.

Sspeedsters Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are on the books, the arrival of New Zealand Sevens stars Andrew Knewstubb and Xavier Tito-Harris will bring some extra pace to the Highlanders backline for 2026.

HIghlanders

Props: Angus Ta'avao, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ethan de Groot, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Sosefo Kautai

Hookers: Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Soane Vikena

Locks: Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Tai Cribb, Tomas Lavanini, Will Stodart

Loose Forwards: Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa

Halfbacks: Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger, Folau Fakatava

First Fives: Andrew Knewstubb, Cameron Millar, Taine Robinson

Midfield: Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai

Outside Backs: Caleb Tangitau, Finn Hurley, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Stanley Solomon, Xavier Tito-Harris

The Hurricanes kicked off the excitement for the 2026 season when they announced the signing of Japan international Warner Dearns in June. The Wellington born star will join Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Hugo Plummer and Tom Allen in the locking department.

Jordie Barrett will run out in the black and yellow following his 2025 sabbatical with Irish club Leinster, bolstering the Hurricanes midfield stock. Josh Moorby also returns to Wellington following a stint with Montpellier in France.

Hurricanes

Props: Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason

Locks: Caleb Delany, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tom Allen, Warner Dearns

Loose Forwards: Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Jordi Viljeon

First Fives: Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Harry Godfrey*, Callum Harkin

Midfield: Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Jordie Barrett, Josh Timu, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan

Outside Backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love

Following a historic season in 2025, Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has some surprises in store for 2026. In the front row, Moana Pasifika will welcome Japanese hooker Mamoru Harada from Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Another recruit who has been plying their trade in Japan’s Rugby League One is former Hurricane Ngani Laumape, who will bring his signature power game to the midfield alongside Tevita Latu, Julian Savea and Lalomilo Lalomilo.

There are two new names at lock for Moana Pasifika, with Alefosio Aho being welcomed to the team alongside former Chiefs lock Jimmy Tupou.

Moana Pasifika

Props: Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tito Tuipulotu

Hookers: Mamoru Harada, Millennium Sanerivi, Samiuela Moli

Locks: Alefosio Aho, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Tom Savage

Loose Forwards: Dominic Ropeti, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Tupou Afungia

Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Siaosi Nginingini

First Fives: Faletoi Peni, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini

Midfield: Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape, Tevita Latu

Outside Backs: Glen Vaihu, Israel Leota, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili