The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season was officially launched in Auckland last week, marking three decades since Super Rugby revolutionised professional rugby union. As the ten teams prepare for battle, the question on everyone’s lips is whether anyone can prevent another New Zealand side from lifting the trophy.
The defending champion Crusaders, last year’s resurgent force under Rob Penney, begin their title defence in hostile territory at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night. It’s a fitting start to a season that promises drama, with the Chiefs installed as early favourites and the Hurricanes lurking as genuine dark-horse contenders.
The contenders: who can win the title?
Chiefs — the favourites
Despite three consecutive grand final defeats, the Chiefs enter 2026 as the team to beat. The departure of Shaun Stevenson to Japan and Anton Lienert-Brown’s temporary absence do little to weaken the competition’s deepest squad.
New head coach Jono Gibbes inherits a roster brimming with All Blacks talent. Damian McKenzie leads a backline featuring Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, and exciting recruit Kyren Taumoefolau, snaffled from Moana Pasifika.
The pack remains formidable: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Leroy Carter, and captain Luke Jacobson provide the muscle and mongrel required for finals football.
The burning question is whether Gibbes can exorcise the demons of those three lost finals. Those scars linger, but this squad has the quality to go one better.
Crusaders — the defending champions
What a return to form last year. After a horror 2024 that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years, Rob Penney’s men came roaring back to defeat the Chiefs in the final. It wasn’t without hiccups—a big loss at home to Moana Pasifika raised eyebrows—but the Crusaders’ DNA of delivering under pressure proved decisive.
The big news is Scott Barrett’s contractual rest sabbatical, meaning David Havili continues as captain through the regular season. The last Crusader to take such a break was Codie Taylor, who returned in career-best form.
Leicester Fainga’anuku’s return from two years in France is a significant boost. The hulking wing could feature in the midfield or even loose forwards, having played there during his French sojourn.
“Having Leicester back … he’s played midfield, he’s played loose forward so you could be in for a bit of a surprise there,” Taylor hinted.
From Anzac weekend onwards, the Crusaders will play home matches at the new One NZ Stadium—a roofed venue that may embolden visiting teams previously intimidated by Christchurch’s winter elements. Nevertheless, the Crusaders’ remarkable 30-0 finals record at home suggests they’ll adapt quickly.
Hurricanes — the dark horses
Throughout Super Rugby’s 30-year history, the Hurricanes have frustrated supporters with unfulfilled potential. Three quarter-final losses in four years speaks to their recent business end struggles.
Yet there are reasons for optimism. If Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett stay fit, the Canes possess the quality to challenge anyone. Barrett’s return from a successful season with Leinster drastically improves their title claims, with his experience and physicality sorely missed last year.
Clark Laidlaw’s coaching staff now includes Jason Holland, returned from All Blacks duties, alongside the well-regarded Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh, and lineout expert Bryn Evans.
The tight five, historically a weakness, has been bolstered by three All Blacks tightheads—Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, and Tevita Mafileo—plus powerhouse hooker Asafo Aumua returning from injury.
“We’ve got a good roster this year, plenty of experience and a couple of boys coming back from overseas. It’s an exciting group,” said flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi. “A title is long overdue.”
Blues — questions remain
How will Vern Cotter’s looming departure impact their campaign? A breakthrough 2024 title was followed by last year’s semi-final defeat in Christchurch. Departing coaches can have either a distracting or galvanising effect—which one awaits the Blues?
Rieko Ioane’s sabbatical opens the door for AJ Lam and Pita Ahki, the latter returning from seven years in France, to combine in midfield. Stephen Perofeta and Dalton Papali’i have points to prove—Perofeta after prolonged injury absence, Papali’i after last year’s All Blacks snub.
Patrick Tuipulotu remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Beauden Barrett won’t feature until round four as part of his return-to-play programme.
The Australian challenge
No Australian side has won the competition, or even reached the final, since Michael Cheika’s Waratahs upset the Crusaders in 2014. With the 2027 home Rugby World Cup looming, Australian rugby desperately needs its provinces to make a statement.
The Waratahs have recruited strongly around Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen. The Reds boast an intriguing flyhalves’ battle between Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh, though both are currently injured. The Brumbies retain Rob Valetini and welcome Tane Edmed to learn from Stephen Larkham.
The Force, notably the only team not appearing at Super Round later in the season, welcome back prop Harry Johnson-Holmes after nearly two years out with knee and ankle injuries.
“There’s some big marketplaces in Australia that would help us all if we unlock them,” Mesley acknowledged. “It would be great to see the Waratahs go really well, selfishly, because there’s so many eyeballs in Sydney.”
Pacific Island pride
Moana Pasifika seek to continue their remarkable progression—from one win in 2022 to the cusp of the top six last year. Upsetting both the Crusaders and Blues demonstrated their drastic improvement, though filling the Ardie Savea-shaped hole left by his Japanese sabbatical won’t be easy. Miracle Faiilagi takes over the captaincy.
The Fijian Drua remain a formidable force at home, having won 15 of 22 matches in Suva and Lautoka. However, until they rectify their dire record of just three road wins in four years, playoff contention will prove elusive.
Stats to watch
- Beauden Barrett (1,549 points) is just three points away from surpassing Morne Steyn (1,551) as the second all-time leading point scorer in Super Rugby history. Dan Carter’s record of 1,708 remains the benchmark.
- Damian McKenzie (312 conversions) is eight conversions shy of overtaking Richie Mo’unga (319) for second place on the all-time conversions list. Barrett leads with 331.
- James Slipper currently sits on 198 Super Rugby caps, four shy of the all-time record of 202.
Season prediction
The Chiefs remain the team to beat, their squad depth unmatched across the competition. However, the Hurricanes’ dark-horse status is well-earned—if Barrett and Roigard stay fit, they possess the quality to finally end their finals hoodoo.
Expect another Chiefs-Crusaders final, with Jono Gibbes desperate to deliver the title that has eluded his new side in three consecutive grand final appearances.
As Mesley said at the launch: “The purpose for Super Rugby Pacific remains clear—to light the flame for generations to love the game.” Three decades on, that flame burns as brightly as ever.
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season begins Friday 13 February with Highlanders v Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (7:05pm NZT / 5:05pm AEDT).
Where to watch
Australia: Stan Sport (all matches, ad-free, live and on demand); Nine Network (Saturday 7:35pm AEDT match, live)
New Zealand: Sky Sport
Fiji: Sky Pacific (pay TV); Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (free-to-air)
United Kingdom and Ireland: Sky UK
United States and Canada: ESPN; FloSports (USA territories); TSN (Canada)
Pacific Islands: Digicel
Japan: Wowow
South Africa & Africa: SuperSport
France: Canal+
Rest of World: NZR+ (streaming)
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