Source: Radio New Zealand
The Brumbies and Waratahs both sit above the kiwi sides after two rounds of Super Rugby. Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz
After two rounds, the Aussies lead the pack.
The Brumbies and Waratahs are setting the pace with New Zealand-based sides occupying spots three to eight.
The lowest placed of those six sides was the defending champion Crusaders.
For the first time since the turn of the century, the Brumbies came to the Christchurch fortress and left victorious.
It leaves the traditional powerhouses with no wins from their first two games, and things don’t get any easier as they head to Hamilton to play the unbeaten Chiefs. It’s been a brutal beginning for Jonno Gibbs’ men, who face a third consecutive derby to kick off their campaign.
The Highlanders head across the Tasman to Brisbane after their heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Dunedin.
Following their captivating rise in 2025, and a stunning round one win over the Drua, it’s been a rough week for Moana Pasifika. Having been soundly beaten in the capital at the hands of the Hurricanes, Moana returned home to the news that once again they would not be playing in the Pacific Islands in 2026. They get their first home game against the Force, who are searching for their first wins of the season.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will enter the Lautoka cauldron against the Drua, who return to the fortress which was breached in round one after being whacked by the Waratahs last weekend.
The Blues round out the weekend’s action as their Australian tour continues in Canberra after a gutsy win in Perth, with skipper Daltan Papali’i to raise his bat in his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
Selection notes
The Hurricanes are churning through their first five stocks, with Callum Harkin handed the ten jersey for the trip to Fiji. Wallaby midfielder Lalakai Foketi will earn his first cap with the Chiefs from the bench, while All Black Wallace Sititi returns and Xavier Roe plays his 50th. Sam Darry returns for the Blues after sitting out round two with a concussion, while Moana prop Abraham Pole becomes just the second player from Moana Pasifika to notch fifty caps.
Injury ward
Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is out of action with a hand injury and should be back by round five.
The Hurricanes have a full casualty ward with Brett Cameron awaiting a specialist review, Du’Plessis Kirifi a week away with a calf complaint, and Ruben Love still recovering from an ankle injury.
The Blues are also without several frontliners from their pack, with Cameron Christie, Joshua Fusitu’a and Patrick Tuipulotu all sidelined.
Finn Hurley remains unavailable for the Highlanders, still another six weeks from a return. Cullen Grace’s return is unknown as he battles a knee injury, while All Black hooker Codie Taylor also has no timeline on when he will be back.
Team lists
Moana vs Force
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday February 27
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Live blog updates on RNZ
Moana:
1. Tito Tuipulotu. 2. Millennium Sanerivi. 3. Chris Apoua. 4. Tom Savage. 5. Allan Craig. 6. Miracle Faiilagi captain. 7. Semisi Paea. 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. 9. Jonathan Taumateine. 10. Patrick Pellegrini. 11. Solomon Alaimalo. 12. Ngani Laumape. 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo. 14. Tevita Ofa. 15. Glen Vaihu.
Impact: 16. Samiuela Moli. 17. Abraham Pole 50th Super Rugby cap. 18. Lolani Faleiva. 19. Ola Tauelangi. 20. Tupou Afungia (debut.) 21. Melani Matavao. 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop. 23. Tevita Latu (debut).
“It’s only a loss if you don’t learn from it. We don’t have time to dwell on mistakes. It’s just about us getting better each week, trusting our game, and making sure we play what we train.” – Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga
Reds vs Highlanders
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday February 27
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ
Highlanders
1. Ethan de Groot. 2. Jack Taylor. 3. Rohan Wingham. 4. Will Stodart. 5. Mitch Dunshea. 6. Te Kamaka Howden. 7. Sean Withy (cc) 8. Lucas Casey. 9. Adam Lennox. 10. Cameron Millar. 11. Jona Nareki. 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Jonah Lowe. 14. Caleb Tangitau. 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena. 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown. 18. Sosefo Kautai. 19. Oliver Haig. 20. Veveni Lasaqa. 21. Folau Fakatava. 22. Reesjan Pasitoa. 23. Tanielu Tele’a.
“We’re working hard on the small details that will help us deliver a more complete 80‑minute performance. We’ll need that level of accuracy and intensity if we’re going to get the job done on Friday.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph
Drua vs Hurricanes
4:35pm Kickoff Saturday 28 February 2026
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live blog updates on RNZ
Hurricanes:
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones 2. Asafo Aumua (vc) 3. Tevita Mafileo 4. Hugo Plummer 5. Warner Dearns 6. Devan Flanders 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Callum Harkin 11. Fehi Fineanganofo 12. Jordie Barrett (c) 13. Billy Proctor 14. Bailyn Sullivan 15. Josh Moorby
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery 17. Xavier Numia 18. Siale Lauaki 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Brad Shields 21. Ereatara Enari 22. Lucas Cashmore (debut) 23. Ngane Punivai
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. We know what we’re walking into with their home record, certainly in Lautoka and it being a day game.” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.
Chiefs vs Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 28 February 2026
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ
Chiefs:
1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. George Dyer 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Kaylum Boshier 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Xavier Roe 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Leroy Carter 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Emoni Narawa 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo
Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Benet Kumeroa 18. Reuben O’Neill 19. Samipeni Finau 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage 23. Lalakai Foketi
“We’ve got a healthy squad, so that helps with the consistency in selections, but the players are making it really tough to pick the team – which is great.” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbs
Crusaders:
1. Tamaiti Williams. 2. George Bell. 3. Fletcher Newell. 4. Antonio Shalfoon. 5. Jamie Hannah. 6. Dom Gardiner. 7. Ethan Blackadder. 8. Christian Lio-Willie. 9. Noah Hotham. 10. Taha Kemara. 11. Sevu Reece. 12. David Havili (c) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku. 14. Chay Fihaki. 15. Will Jordan.
Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu. 17. George Bower. 18. Seb Calder. 19. Tahlor Cahill. 20. Corey Kellow. 21. Louie Chapman. 22. James White. 23. Dallas McLeod.
“We can’t focus on one element too much because we’ll end up getting stung in another area. Any team that beats the Chiefs have to have a complete performance.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney
Brumbies vs Blues
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 28 February 2026
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Live blog updates on RNZ
Blues:
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 2. Kurt Eklund. 3. Marcel Renata. 4. Laghlan McWhannell. 5. Sam Darry. 6. Anton Segner. 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Hoskins Sotutu. 9. Finlay Christie. 10. Stephen Perofeta. 11. Caleb Clarke. 12. Pita Ahki. 13. AJ Lam. 14. Cole Forbes. 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. Bradley Slater. 17. Mason Tupaea. 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Josh Beehre. 20. Torian Barnes. 21. Taufa Funaki. 22. Xavi Taele. 23. Codemeru Vai.
“The Brumbies are well organised and have started their season well. They will be tough competitors, particularly at home, but we are up for the challenge.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
