Moana Pasifika halfback Jonathan Taumateine.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika will host seven home matches each in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The draw for the new season shows both Pasifika teams playing 14 games each, with two bye weekends in the 16-round competition.
Fiji Drua will have a third venue added to their previous two.
As well as the National Stadium in Suva and Lautoka’s Churchill Park, the new venue will be the new Four R Stadium in Ba, an hour’s drive out of Lautoka, where the Drua will host the Brumbies on Saturday, 14 March in round five.
The Drua will host their first home match in Lautoka on 14 February, against Moana Pasifika.
They then host the Hurricanes in round three on 28 February, Brumbies in round five and the Reds on 21 March in round six, all at Churchill Park.
Three matches are expected to be played in Suva, against Western Force on 11 April, Highlanders on 2 May and the Waratahs on 16 May in their last home game.
Fijian Drua Head coach Glen Jackson said they are excited about the draw, espcially hosting Moana Pasifika in their opening match.
“We can’t wait to open our 2026 season against our Pacific brothers at our fortress in Lautoka,” Jackson said in a Drua statement.
“Starting the season at home, in front of the world’s best fans, is the perfect boost for our campaign.”
Moana Pasifika have confirmed a return to Tonga on 11 April against the Chiefs.
That is set to be a popular game, the side having played to a full-capacity crowd of 10,000 in Nuku’alofa in 2024.
They also get to play five home games at their home base, the North Harbour Stadium north of Auckland.
Those matches will be against the Crusaders on 21 March, Highlanders on 27 March, Blues on 2 May, Hurricanes on 9 May and the Reds on 23 May.
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said to start the season with a match in Fiji is going to be special.
“Rugby brings people together and that is very real in Fiji,” he said.
“It’s one of the toughest places to play but we’re looking forward to the challenge the Drua will bring and seeing Pasifika flair and power from both teams on full display.”
Moana Pasifika said they are also excited about returning to the Kingdom of Tonga and “putting on a show for their loyal fans who have been eagerly awaiting another Super Rugby spectacle at Teufaiva Stadium”.
The franchise made it into the top eight of Super Rugby 2025 after recording wins over the Waratahs of Australia, the Drua, and New Zealand teams the Blues, Crusaders, Hurricanes and the Highlanders.
“Moana Pasifika are ready to make even bigger waves in 2026. Whether over the North Shore, across the Tasman or in Tonga, they’ll continue to represent the people,” the franchise said in a statement.
Changes and Super Round returns
Meanwhile, Super Rugby said a highlight next season will be the return of the Super Round, which makes its return over the Anzac weekend in round 11.
That will also mark the 30th year of Super Rugby.
The super round will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, with 10 teams at the new Te Kaha Stadium.
The first day of matches on Friday, 24 April will see the Crusaders take on the Waratahs, with the Hurricanes facing the Brumbies and the Blues tackling the Reds on the next day.
The three-day festival of rugby concludes on Sunday, 26 April with a double-header featuring the Highlanders against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs facing the Fijian Drua.
Competition playoffs will also be tweaked.
In 2026 the highest-ranked losing team from the qualifying finals will progress as fourth seed, ensuring they play away from home in the semi-final and also the final should they qualify.
The Crusaders are the defending champions.