Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Round Four Preview

Super Rugby Pacific celebrates its roots as the competition recognises all levels of the game in Club Rugby Round.

A host of big-name stars return, including the likes of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett.

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

There are a host of big rivalry games, with the Blues facing the Crusaders while the ACT Brumbies host the Queensland Reds.

It follows two big matches for the Australian teams as the NSW Waratahs host the Hurricanes, and the Western Force continues their NZ trip against the Highlanders.

Rugby.com.au previews Round Four of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365

CHIEFS (1-15): Benet Kumeroa, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Samipeni Finau, Jahrome Brown, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Lalakai Foketi, Emoni Narawa, Liam Coombes-Fabling

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Kyle Brown

• Damian McKenzie returns to the line-up at flyhalf after his paternity leave.
• Lalakai Foketi makes his starting debut in the centres alongside Quinn Tupara.
• Tupou Vaa’i skippers the team in the second-row.

MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Tevita Latu, Tevita Ofa, Glen Vaihu

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malaki Hala-Ngatai, Lolani Faleiva, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrini, Tyler Pulini

• Former All Black Augustine Pulu will debut for Moana Pasifika at scrumhalf.
• Tevita Latu earns his first start at centre.
• Joel Lam and Tyler Pulini are in line to make their debuts off the bench.   

• The Chiefs have won all seven matches against Moana Pasifika by an average of 41.1 points.
• Moana Pasifika have lost four of their last five, conceding an average of 52.4 points during this stretch.
• However, Moana have won their last six games when they have scored 20+ points.

Damian McKenzie v Jackson Garden-Bachop

All eyes are on McKenzie as he returns to Super Rugby, following his delayed start.

The playmaker is a special talent and can quickly take this game away from Moana Pasifika if he is allowed space and time to create.

The visitors have turned to the experienced hand of Garden-Bachop to control the contest and try to limit his number of quality touches inside their half.

Chiefs by 29

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Folau Faingaa, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Leafi Talataina, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey

• Wallaby Andrew Kellaway features for the first time in 2026, named at fullback.
• Folau Fainga’a and Leafi Talataina have been elevated into the starting side.
• Former Australia Sevens star Sid Harvey is set for his debut off the bench. 

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Warner Dearns, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Jone Rova

• Du’Plessis Kirifi provides the Hurricanes with a massive boost, cleared to start in the back-row.
• Pasilio Tosi also features for the first time this year, named at tight-head prop.
• Props  Siale Lauaki and Tevita Mafileo, loose forward Brayden Iose, and midfielder Jone Rova all come onto the new-look bench.

• The NSW Waratahs last won at home against the Hurricanes in 2014, and have lost their last eight games overall against the Wellington-based side.
• The Waratahs are hunting for three straight wins to start the year for the second time in a row, having not done so in the past 17 seasons.
• The Hurricanes have won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games against teams in Australia.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii v Jordie Barrett

Two marquee men going head-to-head, the centre battle is one to absolutely watch.

Suaalii has been quiet attacking-wise but defensively has been rock solid and has shown glimpses of a breakout performance.

For Barrett, his class is well documented, able to burn teams in all aspects of the game.

Hurricanes by 3

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

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a

• Angus Ta’avao returns from compassionate leave and starts in the front-row.
• Nikora Broughton makes his first appearance of the year at number eight.
• Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa and Folau Fakatava have all been elevated into the starting side.

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crepsigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekausi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, George Bridge, Hamish Stewart, Divad Palu, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

• One-time Wallabies skipper Nick Champion de Crespigny returns after a minor injury.
• Brandon Paenga-Amosa has also been cleared of injury to start at hooker.
• Divad Palu and George Bridge swap positions, with Palu inserted into the midfield.

• The Western Force are gunning for back-to-back wins over the Highlanders for the first time since 2014.
• The Highlanders have won their last four games at home against the Western Force.
• The Highlanders have lost their last six against Australian teams, with a seventh equalling their longest ever losing streak against Australia-based teams.

Nikora Broughton v Vaolini Ekuasi

Ekuasi has been one of the Force’s best in terms of gain line carry, needing to further step up his game against the Highlanders.

The former Rebel was excellent against Moana Pasifika last week, with the Highlanders turning to Broughton to help neutralise his effectiveness.

Broughton is out to recapture a consistent spot in the Highlanders’ back-row, having emerged as a key starter in 2024.

Highlanders by 4

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Torian Barnes, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Che Clark, Anton Segner, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele

• Codemuru Vai and Torian Barnes step into the starting side.
• Josh Beehre gets the start at lock with Laghlan McWhannell sidelined due to concussion.
• Beauden Barrett makes his return from the bench, his first appearance of the year.

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Taha Kemara

Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Xavier Saifoloi, Dallas McLeod

• Codie Taylor returns after a minor rib injury, starting at hooker.
• Taha Kemara replaces Will Jordan at fullback, who has been rested.
• Former Highlander Will Tucker is set for a club debut off the bench.

• The Crusaders have won eight of their last nine against the Blues, including their last four.
• The Blues have won only one of their last ten against the Crusaders at Eden Park, averaging just 19.3 points per game.
• The Crusaders have won seven of their last eight as the away team, while the Blues have lost four of their last five against Kiwi opposition.

Caleb Clarke v Sevu Reece

Clarke was back to his brilliant best last week, breaking a 13-game try drought with an electric double against the ACT Brumbies.

He’s the type of player that only rises as his confidence does, so it’s up to Reece and the Crusaders to shut him down.

Reece has had a quiet start to the year by his standards, but often lifts for the big games.

Crusaders by 5

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuiana Taii Tualima, 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

• Tuiana Taii Tualima is the lone change to the 23, replacing the rested Rob Valetini

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Treyvon Pritchard

• Filipo Daugunu make his first start of the year, slotting onto the wing for Tim Ryan.
• Josh Nasser replaces the injured Matt Faessler, with Richie Asiata named on the bench.
• 18-year-old Treyvon Pritchard is in line for debut off the bench.

• The Brumbies have won their last five games against the Queensland Reds.
• On top of this, they have been victorious in 11 of their last 12 games against the Reds at GIO Stadium.
• The Reds have lost three of their last four games against Australian teams, having won six straight prior to this.

Charlie Cale v Harry Wilson

Cale is the form player in Super Rugby Pacific, sitting at the top of the MVP voting after three rounds.

It’s led to many calling for a Wallabies return, with his battle against the Wallabies skipper a great test of where he sits.

Wilson has flown under the radar to start the year but remains one of the best in the competition, eager to send a reminder to the competition.

Brumbies by 2