Super Rugby Pacific: Big names missing from Kiwi teams as new season kicks off

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Super Rugby is back.

But plenty of big names are missing to start the 30th season of the competition, which kicks off with a South Island derby in Dunedin in on Friday night.

No Damian McKenzie, no Beauden Barrett, no Scott Barrett, no Leroy Carter, to name a few.

Then there’s the cruel pre-season injury to All Black and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland, who will miss the entire season with a dislocated shoulder.

As coaches juggle managing their All Blacks return to play, here are the first Super Rugby sides of the year.

Crusaders v Highlanders

Friday, 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Talk about keeping plenty of gunpowder dry to start their Super Rugby title defence.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney, operating without All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett (sabbatical), has named five All Blacks on a power-packed bench, including gun fullback Will Jordan and hooker Codie Taylor.

Props Fletcher Newell and George Bower, as well as halfback Kyle Preston, will also start the match on the pine in Dunedin. All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams is unavailable (personal reasons).

The decision to ease some All Blacks back into the action means Chay Fihaki will start at fullback, while Finlay Brewis and Seb Calder will start at prop alongside hooker George Bell.

Rivez Reihana gets first crack in the No 10 jersey, leaving Taha Kemara to come off the bench in his return to the venue where he busted his ACL last April.

Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (capt), Leicester Fainga’anuku, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Seb Calder, George Bell, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Will Jordan.

The Highlanders have wasted no time springing a surprise - naming uncapped loose forward Lucas Casey at No 8.

Casey lit up the NPC with his electric running game for Otago last year, but lacks size and is considered more of a No 7.

Partnering Sean Withy and Te Kamaka Howden in the loose forwards, clearly the Highlanders are eager to attempt to run the Crusaders off their feet with an expansive and fast game.

They’ve certainly got the backs to give it a crack, highlighted by the sparkling back three of Jacob Ratumaitavuki Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki.

With co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe forming a dangerous midfield, and Folau Fakatava at halfback, it’s arguably the best back line they’ve named in years.

However, with Holland and halfback Dylan Pledger ruled out for the entire season, their depth is already being tested before the season begins.

Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-capt), Jona Nareki, Cam Millar, Foula Fakatava, Lucas Casey, Sean Withy (co-capt), Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a.

Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika

Saturday, 4.35pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka

No pressure, Semisi Paea.

The Tongan-born 26-year-old has been given the daunting task of attempting to fill the shoes of Ardie Savea.

After carrying Moana Pasifika with a series of super human efforts last year, Savea has vacated the No 7 jersey while in Japan on a sabbatical.

Just how Moana Pasifika get by without their inspirational skipper is the big question heading into their 2026 campaign.

The good news is menacing No 6 Miracle Faiʻilagi is still around, and has taken over the captaincy.

They’ve also named former All Black Ngani Laumape in the No 12 jersey for what shapes as a tricky assignment in sweltering Lautoka.

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tevita Ofa, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi (capt), Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Chris Apoua, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Denzel Samoa, Glen Vaihu.

Blues v Chiefs

Saturday, 7.05pm at Eden Park, Auckland

Dalton Papal’i, fresh from his telling interview regarding Scott Robertson’s demise, will captain the Blues in the absence of regular skipper Patrick Tuipulotu.

Tuipulotu is still rehabilitating the shoulder injury that ended his 2025 campaign, and is one of six injured Blues unavailable for round one.

They’re also without Beauden Barrett, who remains on extended All Blacks leave and is set to miss the first three weeks of the season.

Injuries have opened the door for wider training squad member Torian Barnes, who had an excellent NPC for Canterbury last year, to make a surprise start in the No 6 jersey.

Former Chiefs hooker Bradley Slater will start against his old team on Blues debut, while Codemeru Vai, named on the bench, will also make his first appearance for the Auckland-based franchise,

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (capt), Torian Barnes, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Cody Vai.

The Chiefs will have to get by without five All Blacks if they’re to roll into Auckland and hand the Blues a first-up defeat.

Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Wallace Sititi, Leroy Carter and Simon Parker are all sitting out the match for the perennial bridesmaids.

Not granted an early release to join the Highlanders this year, Josh Jacomb will start in the No 10 jersey for McKenzie, who wasn’t considered for selection after the birth of his first child last week.

New coach Jono Gibbes isn’t without firepower, though.

All Blacks Quinn Tupaea, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord and Samisoni Taukei’aho will start, while Samipeni Finau and Cortez Ratima have been named on the bench.

Chiefs fans will also get a first look at exciting new recruit Kyren Taumoefolau, a standout on the wing for Moana Pasifika last year.

The Chiefs are notably without hooker Brodie McAlister (broken hand) and Australian recruit Lalakai Foketi (knee).

Chiefs: Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (capt), Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O’Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Kyle Brown.