The initial rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season have concluded with the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs establishing early positions at the top of the ladder.
Both teams have secured consecutive victories, including significant away wins, while the Queensland Reds and Western Force achieved their first wins of the season in subsequent rounds. Player movements and injury returns are also shaping team preparations for upcoming fixtures.
Early Season Dominance: Brumbies and Waratahs Lead
The ACT Brumbies commenced their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a 56-24 victory over the Western Force in Perth. The match was played in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, leading to the implementation of heat stress protocols. The Force initially led 10-0 through a try from flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi and a penalty goal from Ben Donaldson, before the Brumbies scored 28 consecutive points. Key Brumbies try-scorers included Charlie Cale, Declan Meredith (two), Rhys Van Nek, Corey Toole, and Ollie Sapsford. Wallabies flyhalf Tane Edmed converted three attempts late in the game.
In their second match, the Brumbies secured a 50-24 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch, marking their first win against the Crusaders in Christchurch in 26 years. The Brumbies led 19-14 at halftime and maintained a 31-24 lead with ten minutes remaining, scoring three tries in the final eight minutes. The match also marked prop James Slipper's 200th Super Rugby appearance. Coach Stephen Larkham, who was the starting flyhalf during the Brumbies' last win in Christchurch, stated the team "won't get ahead of ourselves," noting the season is early and there are areas for improvement.
This bonus-point victory positioned the Brumbies at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after two rounds, tied with the NSW Waratahs on 10 points.
The NSW Waratahs also secured consecutive wins to start the season, defeating the Queensland Reds 36-12 in Sydney in round one. Veteran Pete Samu contributed following the birth of his child.
Round 3 Breakthroughs: First Wins for Reds and Force
The Queensland Reds secured their first victory of the Super Rugby Pacific season in Round 3, defeating the Highlanders 31-14 at Lang Park. This followed a Round 1 loss to the NSW Waratahs. Five Wallabies players returned to the Reds' lineup, with captain Harry Wilson and fly-half Carter Gordon starting, and Josh Nasser, Filipo Daugunu, and Kalani Thomas contributing from the bench. Wilson made a try-saving tackle and assisted the opening score. The Reds scored five tries through Tim Ryan (two), Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and Vaiuta Latu. The Highlanders' points came from Adam Lennox and Lucas Casey.
On the same day, the Western Force recorded their first victory of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, defeating Moana Pasifika 35-19 in Pukekohe, New Zealand.
This win broke a nine-match winless streak stretching back to April of the previous year and marked their first win in New Zealand in four years.
The Force scored five tries to Moana Pasifika's three. Fly-half Ben Donaldson, who passed a last-minute HIA, set up the first try. George Bridge scored his maiden try for the Force, alongside tries from Darby Lancaster, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, and Leonel Oviedo. Moana Pasifika's tries were scored by Mills Sanerivi, Melani Matavao, and Jackson Garden-Bachop, with the late tries denying the Force a bonus point.
Team Insights and Player Movements
Western Force new recruit Zac Lomax, a former NSW rugby league State of Origin representative, has commenced training with the team. He is a candidate for his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Queensland Reds at Lang Park. Lomax joined the Force after being released from the Parramatta Eels, with restrictions on playing for another NRL team until 2028 without the Eels' permission. Force Winger Darby Lancaster has expressed anticipation for Lomax's potential impact.
Queensland Reds hooker Matt Faessler is returning from a knee injury that kept him out for four matches and is available for selection. He will compete with Josh Nasser for the starting hooker position. Faessler noted the Force's international players and their competitive nature.
Currently, the Reds are positioned fourth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with four wins and two losses. They are preparing to face the Hurricanes in Wellington, having recently lost to them after a four-match winning streak. Historically, the Reds have not defeated Wellington-based teams since 2013 and have not won at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Reds head coach Les Kiss stated the match against the Hurricanes presents the "toughest game in the competition to date."
Fly half Tom Lynagh is set to return to the bench for his first match this season, following hamstring and concussion issues, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips starting at number 10. Captain Fraser McReight also returns after being rested.
The Force has one win from six matches in 2026, with most of their losses being by a margin of 10 points or fewer. They are returning home after a three-week New Zealand tour.
Upcoming Fixtures: Round 4 Club Rugby Round
The Super Rugby Pacific competition's upcoming Club Rugby Round will feature ten teams. The Fijian Drua have a bye this round. Key players such as Damian McKenzie, Du'Plessis Kirifi, and Beauden Barrett are slated to return for various teams.
Friday, March 6:
- Chiefs v Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (19:05 local time)
- NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium, Sydney (19:35 local time)
Saturday, March 7:
- Highlanders v Western Force at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (16:35 local time)
- Blues v Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland (19:05 local time)
- ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium, Canberra (19:35 local time)