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How Super Rugby’s longer season will put squad depth to the test
Sport Nation • October 28th, 2026 4:22 pm
Hurricanes, 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Champions | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Super Rugby Pacific teams will need every bit of their depth in 2027, with the regular season expanding from 14 games to 16.
Each side will play eight home and eight away matches, with one bye, adding games and travel to an already demanding campaign. Super Rugby CEO Jack Mesley says it will make squad management crucial.
“It’s going to test the squads,” Mesley told Sport Nation Afternoons.
“Squad depth is going to be really, really important.”
The expanded season is one of several changes for 2027, alongside a new finals format and an Anzac Bledisloe Test. Mesley expects the schedule to create compelling selection storylines, particularly when some international stars are rested from Super Rugby the week before the Test.
“We want those storylines,” he said. “We think that’s very appealing for a competition.”
Mesley believes those absences will also give emerging players a chance to make their mark.
“We have wide squads. We have depth, and we know fans are really interested in who are the emerging players, not just who the stars are,” he said.
The new finals format will add another incentive across the regular season, with the top two earning a week off, third and fourth securing home elimination finals, and fifth and sixth keeping their title hopes alive.
Mesley said Super Rugby Pacific was in a strong place on the field, with the focus now on building interest around the competition and its players.
“We’ve got a great product. What we’ve got to do is set it up for success,” he said.
Listen to the full interview below:
2027 SUPER RUGBY SQUADS
Blues
Props: Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates.
Hookers: James Mullan, Eli Oudenryn, Bradley Slater.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Jack Lee, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose Forwards: Torian Barnes, Cam Christie, Che Clark, Jed Melvin, Ardie Savea, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Nic Shearer.
First Five-Eighths: Beauden Barrett, Cam Millar, Rico Simpson.
Midfielders: Pita Ahki (long term injury), James Cameron, Leo Gordon, Rieko Ioane, Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele.
Outside Backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Darby Lancaster, Payton Spencer, Rory Taylor, Cody Vai.
Blues winger Caleb Clarke | Photo: Blake Armstrong/Photosport
Chiefs
Props: George Dyer, Paula Latu, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tevita Mafileo, Ollie Norris, Jared Proffit.
Hookers: Taine Kolose, Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrone Thompson.
Locks: Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jai Knight, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Tupou Vaa’i, Aisake Vakasiuola.
Loose Forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson, Corey Kellow, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: Richard Judd, Cortez Ratima, Charlie Sinton.
First Five-Eighths: Tepaea Cook-Savage, Taha Kemara, Damian McKenzie.
Midfielders: Kyle Brown, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea.
Outside Backs: Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchinson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Sinkinson, Kyren Taumoefolau, Frank Vaenuku.
Quinn Tupaea | Photo: Photosport
Hurricanes
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Tito Tuipulotu, Rohan Wingham.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu.
Locks: Alefosio Aho, Caleb Delany, Dylan Eti, Hunter Morrison, Hugo Plummer.
Loose Forwards: Oliver Haig, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen.
First Five-Eighths: Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love.
Midfielders: Tāmiro Armstrong, Jordie Barrett, Heremaia Murray, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova.
Outside Backs: Josh Gray, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai.
Cam Roigard in Super Rugby Pacific 2026 semi-final against the Blues | Photo: Photosport
Crusaders
Props: Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Clement Castets
Hookers: Codie Taylor, George Bell, Manumau Letiu
Locks: Liam Jack, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett
Loose forwards: Xavier Saifoloi, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Xavier Treacy, Christian Lio-Willie, Finn McLeod, Oli Mathis, Johnny Lee
Halfbacks: Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Mitchell Drummond
First-fives: Rivez Reihana, James White, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Jake Te Hiwi, Corey Evans, Toby Bell, Cooper Roberts, Leicester Fainga'anuku
Outside backs: Johnny McNicholl, Kurtis MacDonald, Macca Springer, Maloni Kunawave, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Rivez Reihana | Photo: Photosport
Highlanders
Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Bartlett, Ethan de Groot, Benet Kumeroa, Saula Ma'u, Jack Sexton, Angus Ta'avao.
Hookers: Henry Bell, Ioane Moananu, Jack Taylor.
Locks: Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomas Lavanini, Josh Tengblad.
Loose Forwards: Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizell, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Joseva Tamani, Will Stodart, Sean Withy.
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger.
First Five-Eighths: Josh Jacomb, Mika Muliaina, Patrick Pellegrini.
Midfielders: Meihana Grindlay, Reesjan Pasitoa, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Josh Whaanga.
Outside Backs: Finn Hurley, Jona Nareki, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Tuna Tuitama, Xavier Titi-Harris, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens playing for the Highlanders | Photo: Elias Rodriguez/Photosport
