Former Japan captain Warner Dearns will play for the Hurricanes in 2026. Photo: AFP
The signing of Japan international Warner Dearns by the Hurricanes is one of many talking points to come out of the New Zealand Super Rugby squads revealed for 2026.
The squads are mixes of experience and youth, with the biggest changes coming in a Moana Pasifika overhaul, with Tana Umaga having to deal with the loss of Ardie Savea to a sabbatical and an exodus of his teammates from last year.
He has named 13 newbies, although one of them is 35-year-old Augustine Pulu, who played two tests for the All Blacks in 2014.
Other newcomers of note are New Zealand Sevens player Andrew Knewstubb for the Highlanders; Liam Jack, a new generation member of one of Canterbury's storied rugby families, for the Crusaders; and winger Kyren Taumoefalou, who moves from Moana Pasifika to the Chiefs.
Another another talking point is the Crusaders confirming a sabbatical for All Blacks captain Scott Barrett for part of the Super Rugby season. The exact dates haven't been decided, but Will Tucker will join the squad as cover.
Blues
Tongan international Pita Ahki brings plenty of experience to the Blues midfield as coach Vern Cotter names nine new players his squad.
With All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele'a off overseas, the Blues will need the nous of Ahki who has had a stellar career with French club Toulouse.
One of the new additions is New Zealand U20 star first five-eighth Rico Simpson, who will gain from the tutelage of Beauden Barrett.
Pita Ahki, scoring here for Tonga, joins the Blues in the midfield. Photo: Photosport
At the other end of the scale, veteran prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi returns after neck surgery this year.
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, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose forwards: Cameron Christie, 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*, Corey Evans, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele.
Outside backs: Kade Banks*, Caleb Clarke, Cole Forbes, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan, Cody Vai*.
Chiefs
New coach Jono Gibbes has an arsenal of 15 All Blacks in his squad as he takes over from Clayton McMillan, trying to go one better than the losing finalist tag they have had to wear the past three seasons.
With Anton Lienert-Brown absent on sabbatical, Quinn Tupaea is joined by Lalakai Foketi, new signing Kyle Brown and the returning Daniel Rona in the midfield.
Cortez Ratima is one of three halfbacks named in the Chiefs squad. Photo: Jeremy Ward / Photosport
Outside back Isaac Hutchinson is one of nine fresh signings for the Chiefs after playing in Canterbury in recent times.
Winger Kyren Taumoefalou comes in from Moana Pasifika to also boost the back three.
Props: Benet Kumeroa*, George Dyer, Jared Proffit, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Sione Ahio.
Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Taine Kolose*, Tyrone Thompson.
Locks: Aisake Vakasiuola*, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa*, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i.
Loose forwards: Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Xavier Roe.
First five-eighths: Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Tepaea Cook-Savage*.
Midfielders: Daniel Rona, Kyle Brown*, Lalakai Foketi*, Quinn Tupaea.
Outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Isaac Hutchinson*, Kyren Taumoefolau*, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Crusaders
Six graduates of the Crusaders academy earn their first full Super Rugby contracts in the defending champions' squad, who move to their city's new stadium this season.
The youngsters include lock Liam Jack, son of former Crusader Graham Jack and nephew of ex-All Black Chris Jack. The others are midfielder Toby Bell, halfback Louie Chapman, outside back Maloni Kunawave, hooker Manumaua Letiu, and inside back James White.
David Havili is the Crusaders captain for 2026. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The Crusaders welcome back All Black Leicester Faingaʻanuku after his season in Toulon to add power to their midfield.
They have a blend of youth and experience, with plenty of All Blacks grunt to call on. David Havili is named as captain, while Will Tucker will come in to cover when Scott Barrett takes a sabbatical.
Props: George Bower, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Fletcher Newell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tamaiti Williams.
Hookers: George Bell, Manumaua Letiu, Codie Taylor.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Liam Jack*, Antonio Shalfoon, Will Tucker (cover).
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Dominic Gardiner, Cullen Grace, Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Xavier Saifoloi.
Halfbacks: Louie Chapman, Noah Hotham, Kyle Preston.
First five-eighths: Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana, James White*.
Midfielders: Toby Bell*, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaʻanuku, David Havili (captain), Dallas McLeod.
Outside backs: Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan, Maloni Kunawave*, Johnny McNicholl, Macca Springer, Sevu Reece, Aki Tuivailala.
Highlanders
All Blacks Sevens and Olympic medallist Andrew Knewstubb is one of the newcomers for the Highlanders, who take on an international touch with tough Argentinean rep Tomas Lavanini, who joins Fabian Holland at lock, and Brumbies and Force inside back Reesjan Pasitoa included.
Ex-All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao is included among the front rowers, while Dylan Pledger, who made such a big impression during Otago's NPC and Ranfurly Shield campaign, is one of three halfbacks named.
Andrew Knewstubb playing for the All Blacks Sevens team. Photo: PhotoSport
Pledger is also one of three New Zealand U20 stars that coach Jamie Joseph has included, with Xavier Tito-Harris and Stanley Solomon the others.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen will be absent, having signed to play in Japan.
Props: Josh Bartlett, Ethan de Groot, Sosefo Kautai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Angus Ta'avao*.
Hookers: Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Soane Vikena.
Locks: Tai Cribb, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomás Lavanini*.
Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton, Will Stodart, Sean Withy.
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger*.
First five-eighths: Andrew Knewstubb*, Cameron Millar, Taine Robinson.
Midfielders: Reesjan Pasitoa*, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele'a, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga.
Outside backs: Finn Hurley, Jonah Lowe, Jona Nareki, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Stanley Solomon*, Caleb Tangitau, Xavier Tito-Harris*.
Hurricanes
Jordie Barrett returns to the Hurricanes after a sabbatical last season and he's one of six new or returning players, with Josh Moorby also back after a season in France.
A big signing is Japan international Dearns. The New Zealand-born lock moved to Japan when he was 14 and played in five Rugby World Cup 2023 matches. He has 29 caps in all.
Jordie Barrett returns to the Hurricanes. Photo: AAP / Photosport
Other new faces are Vernon Bason, who has come through the Hurricanes development programme, and midfielder Josh Timu, who has Super Rugby experience with the Highlanders and Sunwolves.
Although Harry Godfrey is named in the squad, the Hurricanes say he is expected to miss the Super Rugby season because of injury and the Bay of Plenty's Lucas Cashmore, who was in the squad last year, is named as cover for him.
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason*, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu.
Locks: Tom Allen, Warner Dearns*, Caleb Delany, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere.
Loose forwards: Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields.
Halfbacks: Ereatara Enari, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen.
First-five eighths: Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Callum Harkin, Lucas Cashmore.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett*, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Timu*.
Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby*, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai
Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika will undoubtedly miss their talisman Ardie Savea who is on a sabbatical in Japan in 2026.
However, they have signed up two former All Blacks in midfielder Ngani Laumape and 35-year veteran halfback Augustine Pulu.
Augustine Pulu playing for the Blues in 2019. Photo: Tertius Pickard / www.photosport.nz
You have to go back to 2014 when former Blues player Pulu played his two tests for the All Blacks.
Coach Tana Umaga has a big overhaul on his hands with 20 players gone from last year's squad.
He has brought in 13 newcomers.
Props: Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Malakai Hala-Ngatai*, Paula Latu*, Tito Tuipulotu.
Hookers: Mamoru Harada*, Millennium Sanerivi, Samiuela Moli.
Locks: Alefosio Aho*, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou*, Ofa Tauatevalu, Tom Savage.
Loose forwards: Dominic Ropeti*, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Tupou Afungia*.
Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu*, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Siaosi Nginingini.
First five-eighths: Faletoi Peni*, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini.
Midfielders: Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape*, Tevita Latu*.
Outside backs: Glen Vaihu*, Israel Leota*, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili.
*denotes new signing or first full contract.
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