Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Season Preview & Futures Betting Tips

Posted on February 12, 2026 by | 0 Comments

Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Season Preview

Introduction

The following is a team-by-team preview for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. Futures betting tips are also provided.

Competition Format

There is no change to the competition format from last season.

There is no conference system, however extra rivalry games are included. The regular season will consist of sixteen rounds. Each team will play fourteen games and have two bye weeks. The teams will face each other once for ten games and the remaining four games will focus on derby matches.

The top six teams will qualify for the play-offs. This will employ a qualifying finals, semi-finals and final format, with no teams receiving a preliminary round bye.

Super Rugby Pacific Team-By-Team Previews

Blues

Blues

  • Odds to win title: 9.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Vern Cotter (since 2024)
  • Key arrivals: Beauden Barrett (Japan), Payton Spencer (NZ 7’s), Che Clark (NZ’s 7’s to their academy)
  • Key departures: Akira Ioane (Japan), Soane Vikena (Highlanders), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders), Bryce Heem (retired)
  • 2024 season: 2nd in the regular season with a 12-2 record. Won the title.
  • 2025 season: 6th in the regular season with a 6-8 record. Lost in the semi-finals.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Blues 33-46 Hurricanes
    • Blues 45-24 Crusaders
  • Positives:
    • Overcame a 1-5 start to reach the playoffs, where they upset the top-seeded Chiefs in the qualifying finals.
    • Pita Ahki’s arrival gives them a boost in experience.
  • Negatives:
    • All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu won’t return from injury until mid April.
    • Have lost a lot of experience with Rieko Ioane away this season and Harry Plummer & Mark Tele’a also gone.
    • Beauden Barrett isn’t expected back until round four due to All Blacks rest.

 

Brumbies

Brumbies

  • Odds to win title: 15.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Stephen Larkham (since 2023)
  • Key arrivals: Feao Fotuaika (France), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Rebels), David Feliuai (Rebels)
  • Key departures: Sefo Kautai (Highlanders), Darcy Swain (Force), Jahrome Brown (Chiefs), Tamati Tua (England)
  • 2024 season: 3rd in the regular season with a 12-2 record. Lost in the semi-finals.
  • 2025 season: 3rd in the regular season with a 9-5 record. Lost in the semi-finals.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Force 42-12 Brumbies
    • Brumbies 48 v 50 Waratahs
  • Positives:
    • Have been Australia’s best and most consistent side for many years.
    • Charlie Cale is back from injury.
  • Negatives:
    • Have regressed since their takeover by Rugby Australia in mid-2024. They struggle to compete with the Waratahs for sponsorship deals. Luke Riemer is the latest Brumbies player to announce his departure to the Waratahs (in 2027).
    • Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau and Noah Lolesio are big departures.
    • Australian teams have a 0-21 record for playoff matches in New Zealand.
    • Wallabies fullback Tom Wright and Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa will miss the start of the season due to injury.

 

Chiefs

Chiefs

  • Odds to win title: 3.25 (bet365)
  • Coach: Jono Gibbes (since 2026)
  • Key arrivals: Brodie McAlister (Crusaders), Jahrome Brown (Brumbies)
  • Key departures: Josh Ioane (Ireland)
  • 2024 season: 4th in the regular season with a 9-5 record. Lost in the final.
  • 2025 season: 1st in the regular season with an 11-3 record. Lost in the qualifying finals, won their semi-final then lost the final.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Chiefs 47–31 Drua
    • Hurricanes 0-29 Chiefs
  • Positives:
    • 2024 World Rugby’s Breakout Player of the Year Wallace Sititi is back after he missed last season due to knee injury.
    • Kyren Tamouefolau is a strong addition to an already strong backline.
    • Held the Hurricanes scoreless in pre-season.
    • Had both the best offensive and defensive records last season.
  • Negatives:
    • New signing Lalakai Foketi picked up a pre-season knee injury.
    • Have lost three consecutive finals.
    • The Chiefs will be the only side featuring a new head coach this season after Clayton McMillan departed.
    • Shaun Stevenson and Anton Lienert-Brown are notable departures.

 

Crusaders

Crusaders

  • Odds to win title: 3.50 (bet365)
  • Coach: Rob Penney (since 2024)
  • Key arrivals: James O’Connor (Reds)
  • Key departures: Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Brodie McAlister (Chiefs), Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes), Riley Hohepa (Hurricanes), Fergus Burke (England), Taine Robinson (Highlanders), Heremaia Murray (Reds), Toby Arnold (retired), Leigh Halfpenny (England)
  • 2024 season: 9th in the regular season with a 4-10 record.
  • 2025 season: 2nd in the regular season with an 11-3 record. Won the title.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Crusaders 33-10 Highlanders
    • Blues 45-24 Crusaders
  • Positives:
    • Boast strong squad depth. Canterbury won the NPC last season, which speaks well for the young players coming through.
    • Boast an incredible 32-0 home record in the playoffs.
    • Have won thirteen Super Rugby titles, nine more than the next best team.
    • Christchurch will host the ANZAC Super Round this season.
    • The Crusaders will move into their new One New Zealand Stadium in April.
    • Leicester FaingaÊ»anuku returns to the squad. He was the competition’s top try scorer in each of his last two seasons with the Crusaders (2022, 2023).
  • Negatives:
    • All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the majority of the season due to a non-playing sabbatical.
    • Outside back Maloni Kunawave picked up an injury in pre-season.
    • The squad lacks an internationally-capped fly-half.

 

Fijian Drua

Fijian Drua

  • Odds to win title: 21.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Glen Jackson (since 2025)
  • Key arrivals: Peni Ravai (Reds), Ponipate Loganimasi (Fiji 7’s), Vuate Karawalevu (Waratahs)
  • Key departures: None
  • 2024 season: 7th in the regular season with a 6-8 record. Lost in the quarter-finals.
  • 2025 season: 10th in the regular season with a 4-10 record.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Chiefs 47–31 Drua
    • Drua 78-12 Fiji Provincial Selection Team
  • Positives:
    • Due to the combination of high heat and high humidity, the Drua boast a formidable 11-2 record at Churchill Park in Lautoka (3-0 in 2025). This contrasts to their 4-5 record at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva (1-3 in 2025),which has more rain and cloud cover. This season they will only play two games in Suva, compared to four in Lautoka. This season the Drua will play two home fixtures in Ba, which is just 37 kilometres from Lautoka. This will give them six total home fixtures an advantageous conditions and just two in the more moderate, rainy conditions of Suva.
  • Negatives:
    • Regressed last season. The Drua picked up just four wins, compared to six in both 2023 and 2024
    • The departure of hooker Tevita Ikanivere to Japan is a blow.

 

Force

Force

  • Odds to win title: 51.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Simon Cron (since 2023)
  • Key arrivals: Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (France), Nic Dolly (England), Darcy Swain (Brumbies), Kane Kotega (France), Nick Champion de Crespigny (France), Vaiolini Ekuasi (Rebels), Sio Tomkinson (Wales), Divad Palu (Rebels), Dylan Pietch (Waratahs), Mac Grealy (Reds)
  • Key departures: Santiago Medrano (France), Regi Churchward (France), Sifa Amone (Waratahs), Josh Bartlett (Highlanders), Feleti Kaitu’u (France), Tom Franklin (France), Izack Rodda (France), Michael Wells (retired), Sam Spink (England), Henry O’Donnell (Waratahs), Taqele Naiyaravoro (France), Chase Tiatia (Japan)
  • 2024 season: 10th in the regular season with a 4-10 record.
  • 2025 season: 9th in the regular season with a 4-1-9 record.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Force 21-19 Reds
    • Force 42-12 Brumbies
  • Positives:
    • Boast an experienced squad.
    • Have a more travel-friendly schedule than in previous seasons. The Force will have fewer trips back and forth across the country this season, due to their home and away fixtures clustered into blocks.
    • Have been proactive in the summer by signing new players to add depth and fill the shoes of those who have left.
  • Negatives:
    • Finished last season in 0-1-5 form after making a 4-4 start.
    • Australian teams have a 0-21 record for playoff matches in New Zealand.
    • It may take time for the new signings to settle in.

 

Highlanders

Highlanders

  • Odds to win title: 15.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Jamie Joseph (2010-16 and since 2025)
  • Key arrivals: Sefo Kautai Brumbies), Josh Bartlett (Force), Soane Vikena (Blues), TK Howden (Hurricanes), Veveni Lasaqa (Hurricanes), Taine Robinson (Crusaders), Caleb Tangitau (Blues), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Otago)
  • Key departures: Jermaine Ainsley (France), Pari Pari Parkinson (Japan), Will Tucker (Hurricanes), Billy Harmon (Japan), Rhys Patchell (Japan), Connor Garden-Bachop (deceased), Martin Bogado (France)
  • 2024 season: 6th in the regular season with a 6-8 record. Lost in the quarter-finals.
  • 2025 season: 11th (wooden spoon) in the regular season with a 3-11 record.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Crusaders 33-10 Highlanders
    • Highlanders 41-31 Moana Pasifika
  • Positives:
    • The forward pack has been bolstered by the arrivals of Los Pumas lock Tomás Lavanini and 22-cap All Black prop Angus Ta’avao.
    • NZ Under 20s’ Stanley Solomon impressed for Wellington in the NPC last season.
    • Otago were competitive (runners-up) in the NPC last season, which speaks well for the young players coming through.
    • The last time the Highlanders finished with just three wins for the season (2013), they made the playoffs the following year.

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  • Negatives:
    • Jamie Joseph is a contender vacant All Blacks head coaching role.
    • Weak squad depth could be their Achilles’ heel (again) this season.
    • The highly promising halfback Dylan Pledger will miss the entire season due to an ACL tear.
    • All Blacks lock Fabian Holland (2025 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year) will miss the entire season with a shoulder injury.
    • Fullback Finn Hurley will miss the first five weeks due to a foot injury.
    • The Highlanders finished last season in 1-10 form.

 

Hurricanes

Hurricanes

  • Odds to win title: 5.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Clark Laidlaw (since 2024)
  • Key arrivals: Will Tucker (Highlanders), Zach Gallagher (Crusaders), Ere Enari (Moana Pasikifa), Riley Hohepa (Crusaders)
  • Key departures: Justin Sangster (Japan), Ben Grant (Waratahs), TK Howden (Highlanders), Veveni Lasaqa (Highlanders), TJ Perenara (Japan), Jordie Barrett (Ireland), Salesi Rayasi (France), Joshua Moorby (France)
  • 2024 season: 1st in the regular season with a 12-2 record. Lost in the semi-finals.
  • 2025 season: 4th in the regular season with an 8-1-5 record. Lost in the qualifying finals.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Blues 33-46 Hurricanes
    • Hurricanes 0-29 Chiefs
  • Positives:
    • Had injury excuses, particularly at fly-half, for their 4th placed finish last season. Their injury woes enabled them to blood a lot of new talent, which should pay dividends this year. The likes of Asofa Aumua are now back from injury.
    • The Hurricanes have retained 33 players from their 2025 squad, so there will be good continuity.
    • They finished the regular season in 5-0 form.
    • Jordie Barrett is back from Ireland, Josh Moorby returns from France and Asafo Aumua is back from injury.
    • Have secured the services of 6 ft 8 in lock, Warner Dearns.
  • Negatives:
    • Were held scoreless by the Chiefs in their final pre-season game.
    • They lack depth in the halfback position, so the Hurricanes will need Cam Roigard to stay healthy.
    • Have an unfortunately-timed bye in Round 1.

 

Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika

  • Odds to win title: 201.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Tana Umaga (since 2024)
  • Key arrivals: Pone Fa’amausili (Waratahs), Ardie Savea (Japan), Pat Pellegrini (England), Solomon Alaimao (NRL), Tuna Tuitama (Samoa 7’s), Jackson Garden-Bachop (France)
  • Key departures: Sekope Kepu (retired), Solomone Funaki (Wales), Ere Enari (Hurricanes), Henry Taefu (Japan), Anzelo Tuitavuki (France)
  • 2024 season: 11th in the regular season with a 4-10 record.
  • 2025 season: 7th in the regular season with a 6-8 record.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Highlanders 41-31 Moana Pasifika
  • Positives:
    • Ngani Laumape, Augustine Pulu and Jimmy Tupou are among a number of handy incoming players.
  • Negatives:
    • 2025 Super Rugby player of the year Ardie Savea (their captain last season) is away on sabbatical in Japan this year.
    • The departure of Kyren Tamouefolau to the Chiefs is a blow.
    • Conceded 39 points per game last season, which is 5 more than the next worst defence.

 

Reds

Reds

  • Odds to win title: 17.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Les Kiss (since 2024)
  • Key arrivals: Matt Gibbon (Rebels), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Rebels), Josh Canham (Rebels), Mason Gordon (Rebels), Filipo Dauguno (Rebels), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Heremaia Murray (Crusaders)
  • Key departures: Peni Ravai (Drua), Cormac Daly (Japan), Connor Anderson (Japan), James O’Connor (Crusaders), Lawson Creighton (Waratahs), Suliasi Vunivalu (France), Mac Grealy (Force), Jordan Petaia (American football)
  • 2024 season: 5th in the regular season with an 8-6 record. Lost in the quarter-finals.
  • 2025 season: 5th in the regular season with an 8-6 record. Lost in the qualifying finals.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Force 21-19 Reds
    • Reds 19-49 Waratahs
  • Positives:
    • Boast three internationally capped fly-halves, which is a position of weakness for their rivals the Waratahs.
    • The Reds boast at least two internationally capped players for every position group.
  • Negatives:
    • Have hit a ceiling in recent years. The Reds were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs in the last four seasons. They finished last season with the same 8-6 record as 2024, despite picking up players from the disbanded Rebels franchise.
    • Australian teams have a 0-21 record for playoff matches in New Zealand.

 

Waratahs

Waratahs

  • Odds to win title: 34.00 (bet365)
  • Coach: Dan McKellar (since 2025)
  • Key arrivals: Taniela Tupou (Rebels), Isaac Aedo Kailea (Rebels), Sifa Amone (Force), Ethan Dobbins (Rebels), Ben Grant (Hurricanes), Angelo Smith (Rebels), Rob Leota (Rebels), Lawson Creighton (Reds), Henry O’Donnell (Force), Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (NRL), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Darby Lancaster (Rebels)
  • Key departures: Paddy Ryan (Japan), Enrique Pieretto Heiland (France), Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Japan), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Force), Pone Fa’amausili (Moana Pasifika), Tom Ross (France), Archer Holz (Wales), Jed Holloway (England), Ned Hanigan (France), Lachlan Swinton (France), Izaia Perese (England), Harry Wilson (Wales), Mosese Tuipulotu (SCotland), Dylan Peitsch (Force), Mark Nawaqanitawase (NRL), Vuate Karawalevu (Drua)
  • 2024 season: 12th (wooden spoon) in the regular season with a 2-12 record.
  • 2025 season: 8th in the regular season with a 6-8 record.
  • Pre-season results:
    • Reds 19-49 Waratahs
    • Brumbies 48 v 50 Waratahs
  • Positives:
    • Have made some handy signings during the off-season, which includes Matt Philip, Harry Potter and Folau Fainga’a.
  • Negatives:
    • Reds 19-49 Waratahs
    • Brumbies 48 v 50 Waratahs

 

Futures Betting Tips

Compare Super Rugby Pacific odds

Highlanders to miss the playoffs at 1.80 (bet365)

The Highlanders finished in 1-10 form last season to collect the wooden spoon. Their squad, which lacks depth, has been rocked by the season-ending injuries to Dylan Pledger and Fabian Holland. Their head coach, Jamie Joseph, is a leading contender for the vacant All Blacks job, which is an unwelcome distraction. Due to being in New Zealand, the Highlanders have a tougher schedule than their Australian rivals for the last playoff spots.

Waratahs to finish as the top Australian team at 7.50 (bet365)

This is a reach, but there is value at 7.50 odds. The Waratahs finished with the same 6-8 record as the Reds last season and the Brumbies continue to bleed talent to the Waratahs.

Crusaders to win the grand final at 3.50 (bet365)

The Crusaders are one of the few teams to win a Super Rugby title as the 2nd seed or below. Of the eight finals won by the away side, six of those occasions were by the Crusaders. They finished the 2025 regular season in 7-1 form, which highlights how time and time again, they know how to peak at the business end of the season. Their monster winger Leicester Faingaanuku is back from overseas and they will get a fit and fresh Scott Barrett back from sabbatical at the sharp end of the season.

 

Super Rugby Pacific Betting Resources

The following resources are available on this website.

Our sister site provides the following Super Rugby Pacific resources.

Notes

Player transfers have been sourced from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2025-26_Super_Rugby_transfers

 

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