Round Two of Super Rugby Pacific rolls on after an entertaining start to the 2026 season.
The Hurricanes begin their round and their season, kick-starting their season against Moana Pasifika.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The NSW Waratahs are out for back-to-back wins to start the year as they face the Fijian Drua, while the Highlanders and Chiefs battle it out on Saturday.
On top of this, the Western Force play their first match at Joondalup against the Blues, with a Sunday afternoon match between the Crusaders and ACT Brumbies rounding out the weekend.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Two of Super Rugby Pacific, presented by Bet365
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (c), Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Matolu Petaia, Brad Shields, Arese Poliko, Cam Roigard, Billy Proctor
- Jordie Barrett skippers the side on his return from his sabbatical at Leinster.
- Japan skipper Warner Dearns makes his club debut in the second row.
- All Blacks Cam Roigard and Billy Proctor return via the bench.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli (c), Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Veikoso Poloniati, Alefosio Aho, Semisi Paea, Konrad Toelafoa, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Patrick Pellegrini, Tuna Tuitama, Faletoi Peni, Glen Vaihu, Israel Leota, Simon Peter Toleafoa
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Tito Tuipulotu, Lolani Faleiva, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi, Melani Matavao, William Havili, Tevita Ofa
- Ex-Rebel Glen Vaihu and Queensland schoolboy sensation Israel Leota get their debut starts for Moana Pasifika.
- Japanese international Mamoru Harada will make his Super Rugby debut via the bench.
- Leota and Harada are two of seven on debut at Super Rugby level.
- The Hurricanes have won five of their last six games against Moana Pasifika, scoring an average of 55 points per game across their four home game victories.
- The Hurricanes have opened the season at home eight times, winning just once.
- Moana Pasifika have won three of their last six away games, more than they have in their past 23 away games.
Fehi Fineanganofo v Israel Leota
Two exciting wingers going head-to-head that may not be household names but have the potential for breakout seasons.
Fineanganofo was on fire in NPC, scoring nine tries in his last six games, excelling since his move from Sevens.
Meanwhile, Leota is a highly touted prospect signed from the Brisbane Broncos, going at a try at game at Queensland Cup level, just below the NRL.
Hurricanes by 19
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: Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
- Ioane Moananu is the lone change, replacing Folau Fainga’a (concussion) on the bench.
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Joseva Tamani, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Ponipate Loganimasi, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Inia Tabuavou, Manasa Mataele
- Co-captain Frank Lomani and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula form a new-look halves partnership.
- Taniela Rakuro and Isikeli Rabitu both come into the starting side in the backline.
- Kavaia Tagivetaua is in line for his debut off the bench.
- The Fijian Drua have won two of their last three against the NSW Waratahs after losing their first four.
- Despite this, the Waratahs are undefeated against the Drua at home.
- It comes as the Drua have lost their last 23 games outside of Fiji, last winning round one of 2023 against Moana Pasifika.
Jake Gordon v Frank Lomani
Gordon is one of the key pieces behind a dominant Waratahs backline and seemed to relish relinquishing the leadership.
The Wallabies’ work around the ruck will be massive in breaking down the Drua, who looked a much better side when the co-captain Lomani came on.
Lomani needs to find a way to unlock the Drua attack for the full 80 minutes if they are to break their losing road streak.
Waratahs by 11
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a
- Angus Ta’avao drops out of the side after the passing of his child, with Sosefo Kautai coming into the line-up.
- Jona Nareki reaches 50 caps for the Highlanders.
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, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Kyren Taumoefolau, Etene Nanai-Seturo
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Emoni Narawa
- Leroy Carter returns for the first time this year on the wing.
- Carter is one of four capped All Blacks returning, with Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Emoni Narawa named on the bench.
- Narawa will reach 50 caps for the Chiefs.
- The Chiefs are on a seven game winning streak against the Highlanders.
- The Highlanders are looking for back-to-back wins to start the year for the first time since Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in 2021.
- The Chiefs have won three of their last four away games and seven of their last eight NZ derbies.
Tupou Vaa’i v Mitch Dunshea
Vaa’i is quickly establishing himself as one of the best locks in the world, let alone Super Rugby, after inspiring the Chiefs to victory over the Blues.
The Chiefs enforcer is the heart and soul of their pack, with Dunshea and the Highlanders needing to step up to limit his effectiveness.
Chiefs by 12
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
- Darcy Swain starts at lock after Nick Champion de Crespigny was ruled out.
- It sees Jeremy Williams shift to blindside flanker for the third time ever at Super Rugby level.
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai
- Marcel Renata swaps with Ofa Tu’ungafasi, coming into the starting side.
- Anton Segner comes into the back-row, with Torian Barnes reverting to the bench after his debut.
- In the second row, Laghlan McWhannell lines up alongside Josh Beehre with experienced lock Sam Darry unavailable following a head knock
- The Blues last lost to the Western Force in 2008, having been unbeaten in their previous 13 games.
- The Western Force is out to break a seven-game winless streak, scoring just 17 points per game in that stretch.
- The Blues have won 25 of their last 28 games against Australian teams.
Carlo Tizzano v Dalton Papali’i
Tizzano will be eager to end the Force’s winless run as the flanker continues to get better.
He faces the Blues skipper Papali’i, who has a point to prove after his departure was confirmed.
If Tizzano can claim the bragging rights at the breakdown, the Force will fancy themselves as a chance to upset the 2024 champions.
Blues by 3
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Leicester Fainga'anuku
- Will Jordan starts after his match-turning performance from the bench.
- Braydon Ennor starts at outside centre, swapping with Leicester Fainga’anuku.
- Louis Chapman makes his first appearance in close to 1,000 days for the Crusaders off the bench.
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
- Stephen Larkham has backed the same 23 that got the job done against the Western Force.
- James Slipper will become the second man to reach 200 Super Rugby caps.
- The Crusaders last lost to the Brumbies in Christchurch in 2000, winning their last 12 at home against the ACT side.
- The Crusaders (316) and Brumbies (259) have won more total games than anyone else in the 30 years of Super Rugby.
- The Brumbies have won their last four regular season games away from home, conceding just 16 points during that period.
Will Jordan v Andy Muirhead
The power of All Black Jordan was on full display after his brief showing off the bench almost single-handedly won the game for the Crusaders.
Muirhead’s influence is more understated but he is as important to the Brumbies’ attack as Jordan.
If the Brumbies are to end their drought, they need Muirhead’s playmaking and subtle speed to break open the game.
Crusaders by 8
