An injury cloud is hanging over the 2026 Super Rugby season before it opens tomorrow in Dunedin and Sydney.
Local derbies are a feature of the opening round with the Hurricanes from Wellington on a bye in the 11-team competition.
Rested after a long season (Test and provincial) are All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barret (Auckland Blues) and Wallabies/Brumbies lock Nick Frost.
Season ending injuries were sustained by the Blues’ Cameron Christie (knee), Highlanders lost Fabian Holland (shoulder) and Dyland Pledger (ACL) while WA Force lost Doug Phillipson (knee) and Alex Harford (shoulder) to long term injuries.
For their opening game against NSW, Queensland have lost the likes of Filipo Daugunu,
Carter Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola and Harry Wilson.
Only the Fijian Drua reported no injury concerns.
INJURY AND SUSPENSION
Dual Test prop Aidan Ross will play his first Super game for Qld but has played more than 100 games for the Waikato Chiefs.
He was called up for the Wallabies last year soon after announcing he would join the Reds this season.
“The tight five is going to be very important in laying the platform and Aidan is a critical part of that,” Reds coach Les Kiss told rugby.com.au.
Louis Werchon will play at halfback after playing seven games for Italian club Benetton in the off-season with Harry McLaughlan-Phillips in the 10 jersey.
Giant NSW lock Miles Amatosero will play after serving a two-game (downgraded) suspension for attacking and injuring team-mate Angus Scott-Young at pre-season training.
Waratahs captain Matt Philip told rugby.com.au that he has no concerns about his second-row partner keeping his cool tomorrow night.
“He knows what’s coming and we’re prepared for that,” Philip said after Thursday’s captain’s run.
The ACT Brumbies will take on the Force in Perth, having lost Noah Lolesio, Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau in the off-season.
Former All Black and Crusader signing George Bridge is among four debutants to turn out for the Force who will also have Wallabies lock Darcy Swain and former Wallaby Kurtley Beale to call on.
The 2026 fixtures
(games listed in chronological order):
Friday, Feb 13 Highlanders vs Crusaders (Dunedin), NSW vs Queensland (Sydney).
Saturday, February 14: Fijian Drua vs Moana Pasifika (Lautoka), Blues vs Chiefs (Auckland), Western Force vs ACT Brumbies. Bye: Wellington.
MORE SEASON NEWS: Rule tweaks announced for Super Rugby
