Who’s in and who’s out? Here is the full breakdown of the New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads for 2026.
Scroll down to see the Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika squads.
Blues sign five-time Top 14 champion to replace Rieko Ioane
The Blues will hope the return of vastly experienced midfielder Pita Ahki can bolster a backline that needs reworking after the departures of All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a.
Ioane is absent because of a sabbatical with Irish club Leinster. Ahki, the 33-year-old returning home after seven trophy-laden years with French giants Toulouse, could partner AJ Lam in the middle for their opening match against the Chiefs at Eden Park on February 14.
Vern Cotter’s 38-man squad retains a familiar look despite 10 players moving on after last season’s semifinal appearance, with experienced front rowers Angus Ta’avao (Highlanders) and Ricky Riccitelli (Montpellier) exiting. Harry Plummer, their No 10 from the 2024 title campaign, has also said au revoir in leaving for Clermont.
With Ahki, another eight new faces have signed full contracts. Hooker Bradley Slater joins from the Chiefs. Promoted from NPC are Manawatū prop Flyn Yates and loose forwards Terrell Peita (Northland) and Malachi Wrampling (Waikato).
Canterbury midfielder James Cameron, who hails from the North Shore, has returned to his roots for Super Rugby. North Harbour speedster Kade Banks has returned after a season with the Hurricanes.
The two additions from Auckland are first five-eighth Rico Simpson and winger Cody Vai, a former All Blacks Sevens player.
Dalton Papali’i is set to assume the captaincy while All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu recovers from a shoulder injury. He is not expected to be available until at least April.
Veteran All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is due back for pre-season on his comeback from neck surgery.
Props: Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates.
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, James Mullan, Bradley Slater.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt).
Loose forwards: Che Clark, Dalton Papali’i, Terrell Peita, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Malachi Wrampling.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Sam Nock.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, Rico Simpson.
Midfielders: Pita Ahki, James Cameron, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele.
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan, Cody Vai.
Ins: Terrell Peita, Bradley Slater, Flyn Yates, Pita Ahki, Kade Banks, James Cameron, Rico Simpson, Cody Vai, Malachi Wrampling.
Outs: Angus Ta’avao, PJ Sheck, Ricky Riccitelli, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Meihana Grindlay, Mark Tele’a, Reon Paul.