The semi-finals of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season are upon us, with an all-Kiwi playing field left in the competition.
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Following the elimination of Australian outfits the Brumbies and Queensland Reds, the final four teams all hail from the land of the All Blacks. New Zealand outfits the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues take the semi-final spots, with the Auckland side saved by the skin of their teeth as the loser with the lowest points difference from last weekened.
This means that the Hurricanes are now set to welcome the Blues down to Wellington, as the Crusaders make the trip to Hamilton for their clash with the Chiefs. Once again, we have compiled all of the team news for you to get stuck into, as we near the culmination of the 2026 Super Rugby season.
TEAM NEWS: 2026 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC – SEMI-FINALS
HURRICANES vs BLUES
Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 7:05pm NZST / 8:05am BST
The Hurricanes have named a largely unchanged side for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Blues in Wellington, with just one change to the starting XV that defeated the Brumbies in last week’s qualifying final.
Fehi Fineanganofo returns from injury on the left wing in the only alteration to the starting lineup, while the forward pack remains unchanged. There are milestone moments for two key Hurricanes forwards, with Brad Shields set to become the club’s third-most capped player in his 142nd appearance, while Peter Lakai reaches 50 Hurricanes caps.
Cam Roigard and Ruben Love continue their half-back partnership, with co-captains Jordie Barrett and Du’Plessis Kirifi again leading the side. Kini Naholo and Siale Lauaki return from injury to strengthen the bench.
The Blues make several changes for the trip to Wellington, with Beauden Barrett returning at full-back, Hoskins Sotutu restored at number eight and Finlay Christie named at scrum-half.
In the backs, Xavi Taele starts at inside centre, AJ Lam moves to outside centre and Cole Forbes comes onto the right wing. The visitors are without Zarn Sullivan (foot), Sam Nock (hand) and Malachi Wrampling (concussion/suspension) as they look to extend their season against the competition’s top seeds.
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (cc), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Xavier Numia, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 4 Caleb Delany, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Brad Shields, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8 Peter Lakai.
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jone Rova, 23 Kini Naholo.
Blues: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Finlay Christie; 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5 Sam Darry, 6 Torian Barnes, 7 Anton Segner, 8 Hoskins Sotutu.
Replacements: 16 Eli Oudenryn, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Che Clark, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Pita Ahki, 23 Payton Spencer.
CHIEFS vs CRUSADERS
Chiefs v Crusaders
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 7:05pm NZST / 8:05am BST
A place in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final is on the line as two of New Zealand rugby’s biggest rivals meet in Hamilton. The Chiefs come into the semi-final having won their last three matches at this stage of the competition, while the Crusaders arrive chasing an eighth consecutive semi-final victory.
The hosts are boosted by the return of Liam Coombes-Fabling after he withdrew before kick-off against the Reds last weekend, while Damian McKenzie reaches a major milestone with his 150th Super Rugby appearance for the Chiefs. McKenzie becomes just the third player in club history to reach the landmark and does so in one of the biggest fixtures of the season. Injuries to Wallace Sititi and Kyle Brown force two changes to the starting XV, with Samipeni Finau and Lalakai Foketi coming into the side.
The Crusaders welcome back All Blacks prop Fletcher Newell after injury, while Braydon Ennor starts in midfield in place of the unavailable Dallas McLeod. Rob Penney’s side have shown their trademark resilience throughout the season and head north looking to continue their formidable knockout record.
Team News
Chiefs: 15. Isaac Hutchinson, 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Cortez Ratima; 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Simon Parker.
Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. George Dyer, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Leroy Carter.
Crusaders: 15. Johnny McNicholl, 14. Chay Fihaki, 13. Braydon Ennor, 12. David Havili (c), 11. Sevu Reece, 10. Taha Kemara, 9. Noah Hotham; 1. Finlay Brewis, 2. Codie Taylor (vc), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio-Willie.
Replacements: 16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. George Bower, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Dom Gardiner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Macca Springer.
