Angus Ta’avao back for Highlanders after death of his son as teams named for round four of Super Rugby Pacific

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

With the All Blacks coaching announcement drawing closer, the Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew break down the differences between Dave Rennie’s and Jamie Joseph’s coaching styles.

Emotions will be running high under the roof in Dunedin on Saturday evening.

Former All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao is set to return for the Highlanders for the first time since his young son Leo passed away last month.

“After a brief battle in PICU, Leo passed away surrounded by his loved ones,” Ta’avao said at the time.

Leo was born with partial-trisomy-13 – a genetic disorder which affects the child's ability to grow – and spent the first three months of his life in hospital.

Ta’avao played for the Highlanders in their victory over the Crusaders in the opening round of the competition, but understandably, took some time away over since the tragic passing.

He returns to start for the Highlanders at tighthead prop against the Force.

Here are this week’s Super Rugby Pacific teams for round four.

Chiefs v Moana Pasifika

Friday, 7:05pm at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Just two days after being named as the new All Blacks head coach, Dave Rennie will get his first look in 2026 at one of his potential No. 10s.

Damian McKenzie returns for his match of the Super Rugby Pacific season after missing the opening three rounds due to the birth of his first child.

Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett are returning to Super Rugby action in round four.

There will be few more interested parties than Rennie in watching McKenzie’s performance for the team he coached to a back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 20212 and 2013.

Former Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi gets his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the loss to the Crusaders.

Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson sits out this week with a hip injury, with All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i to lead the side.

Chiefs: Liam Coombes-Fabling, Emoni Narawa, Lalakai Foketi, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Wallace Sititi, Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i (captain), Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Benet Kumeroa. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Kyle Brown.

Former All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu will make his Moana Pasifika debut at half-back after recovering from a calf injury.

It will be his first Super Rugby appearance since way back in 2018 after returning from a stint playing in Japan.

Joel Lam (halfback) and Tyler Pulini (first five) are likely to make their Super Rugby debuts off the bench.

Moana Pasifika: Glen Vaihu, Tevita Ofa, Tevita Latu, Ngani Laumape, Solomon Alaimalo, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Augustine Pulu; Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi (captain), Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Chris Apoua, Millennium Sanerivi, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Lolani Faleiva, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrino, Tyler Pulini.

Waratahs v Hurricanes

Friday, 9:35pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

All Blacks loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi has shaken off a calf injury to play his first match of the season.

Kirifi will line up with Peter Lakai in their back row as Clark Laidlaw’s side attempt to bounce back from last Saturday’s 25-20 loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka’s mud bath.

The unbeaten Waratahs (2-0) await in Sydney, with All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi also returning to start when Cam Roigard will make his 50th Hurricanes appearance.

Tosi joins Xavier Numia as their new starting props while Kirifi’s comeback at openside flanker shifts fellow All Black Lakai to No 8.

The Hurricanes are pressing on with first five-eighths, Brett Cameron and Harry Godfrey, gone for the season with knee injuries. Callum Harkin has been retained at No 10 ahead of Lucas Cashmore.

The Canes enjoy playing the Waratahs. They have won their last eight against the Syndeysiders since 2016.

Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (co-capt), Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Warner Dearns, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Jone Rova.

Highlanders v Force

Saturday, 4:35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

In addition to the return of Ta’avao, powerful No.8 Nikora Broughton is back for his first match of the season, replacing Lucas Casey.

It will be an interesting week in Highlander land with head coach Jamie Joseph being overlooked for Dave Rennie for the All Blacks role.

In other minor changes to the run on side, Folau Fakatava is back on side and Sean Withy drops back to the bench to make way for Veveni Lasaqa.

Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-capt), Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava; Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-capt). Reserves: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox Stratford, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele’a.

Blues v Crusaders

Saturday, 7:05pm at Eden Park, Auckland

Beauden Barrett returns from an extended break in the match of the round as the Blues entertain the Crusaders.

The veteran All Blacks first five-eighth has been rested for the opening three weeks before a massive test season that includes the looming tour of South Africa.

It’s understood Barrett was keen to play for the Blues, but the 34-year-old was held back by New Zealand Rugby wanting to manage his minutes.

After no rugby since the All Blacks’ comprehensive 33-19 defeat to England last November, he will come off the bench while Stephen Perofeta keeps the No 10 jersey.

Like the Crusaders, Vern Cotter’s men are 1-2 after losing at the death, 30-27, against the Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday night.

It was the second close match the Blues have dropped through three rounds — the Chiefs beat them 19-15 at Eden Park in week one — either side of their 42-32 win over the Western Force in Perth.

Back in Auckland, when and how Barrett is utilised will be interesting.

He could be introduced at fullback or first-five in a contest that will be determined by which pack can dominate, something Cotter’s side can do with unrelenting force, but the Crusaders’ forwards have traditionally been the benchmark.

Josh Beehre is another change, starting at lock in place of Laghlan McWhannell (concussion). Cody Vai has been promoted for his first start on the right wing ahead of Cole Forbes.

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Codemeru Vai, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (captain), Torian Barnes, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Che Clark, Anton Segner, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele.

Taha Kemara has the daunting task of filling Will Jordan's boots at Eden Park.

Dinged up and 'sore' in the aftermath of their win over the Chiefs, head coach Rob Penney has opted to give Jordan an All Blacks rest week.

Outstanding in the No 10 jersey last week, Kemara's move to fullback coincides with the return of first five-eighth Rivez Reihana (adductor strain).

The Crusaders are also without suspended prop Tamaiti Williams, leaving George Bower to start in the No 1 jersey.

The loss of rake George Bell for 2-3 weeks to a foot injury has been softened by the return of fellow All Black Codie Taylor (ribs).

Penney has named a 6-2 split on the bench, citing a heavy workload for his forwards the first three weeks of the season, and the expectation the Blues will play a direct and physical style.

Lock Will Tucker, a member of the wider training squad, will make his Crusaders debut with Tahlor Cahill (shoulder) ruled out.

Crusaders: Taha Kemara, Chay Fihaki, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Manumau Letiu, Finay Brewis, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Xavier Saifaloi, Kyle Preston, Dallas McLeod.