The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year has been revealed, with the Highlanders and the Reds leading the way in selection.
Jamie Joseph’s side, who finished the regular season in ninth, and Les Kiss’ fifth-placed outfit see three of their players represented in the official 15-man list, which was selected using the top performers across each position in the Player of the Year voting.
The two teams are also among nine clubs represented in the official Team of the Year, with the Chiefs and Western Force boasting two picks apiece, while the Blues, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Brumbies and Waratahs also have one inclusion each.
Highlanders and Red dominate official Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year
Jock Campbell has been named as full-back in the official Team of the Year, with Player of the Year nominee Max Jorgensen and Caleb Tangitau on the wings. Player of the Year Quinn Tupaea and runner-up Timoci Tavatavanawai have been named as the centre pairing, with fellow Player of the Year nominee Ben Donaldson at fly-half. Ryan Lonergan has also been included at scrum-half.
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The Leicester Fainga’anuku experiment has paid off, with the Crusaders man slotting into the back-row alongside Player of the Year nominee Anton Segner and Fraser McReight, with Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto named as the two locks.
Samisoni Taukei’aho also gets the nod at hooker, while Ethan de Groot and Xavier Numia have been picked as the two props, rather than specific looshead and tighthead options.
Commenting on the selection, Super Rugby Pacific CEO, Jack Mesley, said: “We’re also delighted to announce the Team of the Year and for the first time formally recognise excellence across every position on the field. Our sincere congratulations to all the players who earned selection in 2026.”
Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year in full
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Props – Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)
Hooker – Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs)
Second Row – Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds)
Back Row – Anton Segner (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)
Scrum Half – Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Fly Half – Ben Donaldson (Western Force)
Wingers – Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
Centres – Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
Fullback – Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)