SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC RETURNS FOR ITS 30TH YEAR, KICKING OFF WITH THE BIGGEST RIVALRY IN AUSTRALIAN RUGBY

13 February, 2026 - Super Rugby Pacific returns this Friday, with a massive doubleheader to kick off the 30th anniversary season. The action begins in Dunedin as the Highlanders host the defending champion Crusaders at 4:00pm AEDT, followed by a blockbuster in Sydney when the NSW Waratahs reignite their bitter rivalry with the Queensland Reds at 7:00pm AEDT.

On Saturday, the Fijian Drua will open their campaign against Moana Pasifika at their fortress in Lautoka. This will be followed by the Blues taking on the Chiefs at Eden Park and the ACT Brumbies tackling the Western Force in Canberra.

With 83 matches to be played across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the 30th anniversary of Super Rugby Pacific is set to be a landmark season. In 2026, Stan Sport will be the only place to watch every match live and exclusive.

The new season is another major moment in Australian rugby’s golden decade, fuelled by a British & Irish Lions Tour last year that saw reignite rugby passion reignite across the country. As the countdown begins for the Rugby World Cup 2027 being hosted on Australian soil for the first time since 2003, every tackle and every try this season carries extra weight as the next generation of Super Rugby icons compete to lead Australia on the world stage next year.

Fans can expect a number of milestone moments, with Christchurch hosting all 12 teams across a three-day festival for Super Round for the first time across the Anzac Day weekend. The action on the field will see a suite of cutting-edge law innovations make their debut, designed to keep the ball in play and reduce ‘dead time’, allowing for a high-octane continuous flow of action for viewers.

Providing fans with the most comprehensive coverage, the Stan Sport commentary team returns with former Wallaby captain Michael Hooper, new recruit Nic White, and Wallabies greats Tim Horan, Morgan Turinui, Justin Harrison, Matthew Burke and Cameron Shepherd, Wallaroo Sera Naiqama, dual international star Allana Ferguson, alongside host Michael Atkinson and lead callers Sean Maloney and Andrew Swain.

Fans will have the chance to stay engaged all week beyond the live action, with Stan Sport’s acclaimed lineup of rugby shows returning to provide deep-dive analysis and entertainment.

Monday
​Between Two Posts with Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui, Michael Hooper and Matt Burke
​Not your typical rugby show as our panel are joined by an array of special guests to review the weekend's matches. Expert analysis, lively banter, and insider insights - it’s the perfect way to stay up to date.

Wednesday
​Inside Line with Michael Atkinson, Iain Payten and special guests
​A no-holds-barred, hard-hitting show that brings together a panel of experts, to dive deep into the most pressing talking points and breaking news from the world of rugby.

Thursday
​Rugby Heaven hosted by Michael Atkinson with Justin Harrison, Tim Horan and Cam Shepherd
​Your one-stop rugby shop. Stan Sport's fast-paced show touches on the biggest talking points in the game - the latest breaking news, analysis, exclusive interviews, feature stories and special guests.

Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match of the Super Rugby Pacific, Six Nations, World Rugby Sevens, Rugby World Cup, The Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup, Shute Shield, Hospital Challenge Cup, , New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship plus every match of Super Rugby Women's, Wallabies and Wallaroos test series and more.

ROUND 1 FIXTURES

Friday 13 February ​
​4:00PM AEDT - Highlanders v Crusaders
​​7:00PM AEDT - Waratahs v Reds

Saturday 14 February ​
​​2:20PM AEDT - Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika ​
​4:40PM AEDT - Blues v Chiefs
​​7:00PM AEDT - Force v Brumbies

For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact: 

Hamish Birt
​​Head of Communications & PR - Sport, Stan ​
​Hamish.Birt@stan.com.au

Eamon Gannon
​Publicist - Sport, Stan
​Eamon.Gannon@stan.com.au