Super Rugby 2026: Team News confirmed for Pre-Season Trial Matches

A plethora of Wallabies and All Blacks are back at their respective Super Rugby sides, as the preparations continue to heat-up before Round 1 arrives in a few short weeks time. With plenty to prove to their team selectors and season contracts on the line for the aspiring young stars, here's all the team news for this weekend's Super Rugby pre-season trial fixtures.

Date/Time: Friday 30 January, 4:35pm AWST
Venue: Scotch College Playing Fields, Perth

The Western Force welcome back five Wallabies – Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, and Hamish Stewart – for their second pre-season trial, following a narrow 21-19 win over the Reds last week. Robertson anchors the front row with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Harry Johnson-Holmes, while Williams and Franco Molina provide power in the second row.

Champion de Crespigny and Tizzano join Vaiolini Ekuasi in a dynamic back row. Nathan Hastie and Ben Donaldson direct play from half-back, with Stewart and George Bridge in midfield. Darby Lancaster and Divad Palu start on the wings, and Mac Grealy completes the back three.

The Brumbies field a mix of experience and youth, with Charlie Cale returning at number eight after a long injury layoff. Will Stodart leads the side in the opening spell, with Tomás Lavanini making his Highlanders debut, and backs Stanley Solomon, Xavier Tito-Harris, and Caleb Tangitau providing explosive options.

Western Force (1–15):
1 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Franco Molina, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9 Nathan Hastie, 10 Ben Donaldson, 11 Darby Lancaster, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 George Bridge, 14 Divad Palu, 15 Mac Grealy

Reserves: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa’agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Gus Farnan, Kane Koteka, Jack Daly, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Boston Fakafanua, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale

ACT Brumbies (1–15):
1 Lington Ieli, 2 Chris Mickelson, 3 Rhys van Nek, 4 Lachlan Shaw, 5 Harvey Cordukes, 6 Tuaina Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 8 Charlie Cale, 9 Klayton Thorn, 10 Tane Edmed, 11 Kye Oates, 12 Jarrah McLeod, 13 Hudson Creighton, 14 Shane Wilcox, 15 Declan Meredith

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Cadeyrn Neville, Eli Langi, Dan Nelson, Andy Muirhead, Kadin Pritchard, Moses Sorovi, Austin Anderson, Judiah Saumaisue, Darcy Breen

Date/Time: Friday 30 January, 3:30pm NZDT
Venue: Fraser Park, Timaru

The Crusaders kick off their 2026 pre-season against the Highlanders in a 4x20-minute quarter format. Ethan Blackadder captains the first-half XV, with Finlay Brewis returning from injury at loosehead alongside Manumaua Letiu and Seb Calder.

Antonio Shalfoon and Tahlor Cahill start in the second row, with loose forwards Oli Mathis, Johnny Lee, and Xavier Saifoloi completing the pack. Kyle Preston and Taha Kemara form the halves, while Toby Bell and Braydon Ennor start in midfield. James White debuts at fullback, with wings Kurtis MacDonald and Chay Fihaki.

The Highlanders field a 31-player squad over the four quarters. Will Stodart leads the opening half, while Tomas Lavanini debuts in the second row. Stanley Solomon, Xavier Tito-Harris, and Caleb Tangitau provide a potent back three in the opening spell, with Reesjan Pasitoa and Taine Robinson taking charge in the second half.

Crusaders (1–15):
1 Finlay Brewis, 2 Seb Calder, 3 Manumaua Letiu, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 6 Oli Mathis, 7 Johnny Lee, 8 Xavier Saifoloi, 9 Louie Chapman, 10 Kyle Preston, 11 Kurtis MacDonald, 12 Cooper Grant, 13 Dallas McLeod, 14 Jae Broomfield, 15 James White

Reserves: Jack Sexton, Tomasi Maka, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Xavier Treacy, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Maloni Kunawave, Nic Sauira, Cooper Grant, Louie Chapman

Highlanders (1–15):
1 Josh Bartlett, 2 Soane Vikena, 3 Sefo Kautai, 4 Tai Cribb, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 6 Oliver Haig, 7 Lucas Casey, 8 Will Stodart (C), 9 Adam Lennox, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Xavier Tito-Harris, 12 Meihana Grindlay, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Stanley Solomon

Reserves: Rohan Wingham, Jack Taylor (C), Angus Ta’avao, Josh Tengblad, Tai Cribb, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Nic Shearer, Reesjan Pasitoa, Josh Whaanga, Tayne Harvey, Jonah Lowe, Stanley Solomon, Taine Robinson, Henry Bell

Date/Time: Friday 30 January, 1:30pm NZDT
Venue: Sacred Heart College, Auckland

The Hurricanes launch their 2026 pre-season with a 39-player squad against the Blues. Jacob Devery captains the first two quarters, with Taine Roiri and Hugo Plummer in the second row and front row comprising Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, and Tevita Mafileo.

Matolu Petaia, Cooper Flanders, and Arese Poliko form the back row. Jordi Viljoen and Brett Cameron control the halves, with Jone Rova and Bailyn Sullivan in midfield. Fehi Fineanganofo, Taniela Filimone, and Callum Harkin form the back three.

The Hurricanes reserves include Japan captain Warner Dearns, Josh Moorby, Xavier Numia, and Devan Flanders, all slated for game time throughout the four-quarter match.

Hurricanes (1–15):
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 Jacob Devery (C), 3 Tevita Mafileo, 4 Taine Roiri, 5 Hugo Plummer, 6 Matolu Petaia, 7 Cooper Flanders, 8 Arese Poliko, 9 Jordi Viljoen, 10 Brett Cameron, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Jone Rova, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Callum Harkin

Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason, Xavier Numia, Tony Tafa, Siale Lauaki, Logan Wallace, Warner Dearns, Johnny Falloon, Sam Thomson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders (C), Brad Shields, Mosese Bason, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jai Tamati, Lucas Cashmore, Josh Gray, Riley Higgins, Josh Timu, Josh Moorby, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Will Cole, Drew Wild

Date/Time: Saturday 31 January, 2:00pm AEST
Venue: Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

Fraser McReight captains the Reds in his first match in charge against the Waratahs. The Reds start with a front row of Aidan Ross, Richie Asiata, and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham pack the second row. Back row partners are Seru Uru, McReight, and Joe Brial.

Half-back pairing of Kalani Thomas and Carter Gordon leads the attack, with Dre Pakeho and Isaac Henry in midfield. Teenage wing Treyvon Pritchard starts alongside Xavier Rubens and Jock Campbell in the back three. An extended bench provides valuable game time for the squad, including Wallabies Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook.

NSW Waratahs field a side led by Matt Philip (C) in the second row, with Angus Blyth alongside him. Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, and Leafi Talataina make up the back row. Half-back pairing Teddy Wilson and Lawson Creighton directs play, with George Poolman and Joey Walton in midfield. Exciting additions include Wallaby Harry Potter on the wing.

Queensland Reds (1–15):
1 Aidan Ross, 2 Richie Asiata, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4 Josh Canham, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Seru Uru, 7 Fraser McReight (C), 8 Joe Brial, 9 Kalani Thomas, 10 Carter Gordon, 11 Xavier Rubens, 12 Dre Pakeho, 13 Isaac Henry, 14 Treyvon Pritchard, 15 Jock Campbell

Reds Replacements: Lachie Anderson, George Blake, Charlie Brosnan, John Bryant, Nicholas Conway, Massimo De Lutiis, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Vaiuta Latu, James Martens, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Hamish Muller, Zane Nonggorr, Hunter Paisami, Louis Werchon

NSW Waratahs (1–15):
1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Daniel Botha, 4 Matt Philip (C), 5 Angus Blyth, 6 Clem Halaholo, 7 Jamie Adamson, 8 Leafi Talataina, 9 Teddy Wilson, 10 Lawson Creighton, 11 Sid Harvey, 12 Joey Walton, 13 George Poolman, 14 Harry Potter, 15 James Hendren

Waratahs Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Ioane Moananu, Isaac Kailea, Jack Barrett, Brady Dawson, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Lachlan Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Isaac Fonua, Michael McDonald, Jack Bowen, Joey Fowler, Archie Saunders, Leo Jaques