The five New Zealand Super Rugby clubs unveiled their squads for the 2027 season on Wednesday.
The defending champion Hurricanes were the first to reveal their hand at midday, before the Highlanders, Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders follow at hourly intervals as the full picture of next season’s line-ups begun to take shape.
Who’s in, who’s out and which players will be given the chance to make their mark in 2027? Stay with us as we bring you every squad announcement, with all five teams revealed by the end of the day.
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes squad features 28 players who were part of the title-winning 2026 season.
There are 10 new signings including All Blacks No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall, All Blacks XV loose forward Oliver Haig, Hawke’s Bay lock Hunter Morrison, and ex-Highlanders prop Rohan Wingham.
Prop Tito Tuipulotu and lock Alefosio Aho both join the Hurricanes after featuring for Moana Pasifika.
First-five Brett Cameron, who has had a wretched run of injuries and missed most of the Championship winning season, is back for another crack.
Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Tito Tuipulotu, Rohan Wingham, Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Alefosio Aho, Caleb Delany, Dylan Eti, Hunter Morrison, Hugo Plummer, Oliver Haig, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Semisi Tupou, Ta’eiloa, Bryn Hall, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen, Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Tāmiro Armstrong, Jordie Barrett, Heremaia Murray, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Josh Gray, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai (Punivai is expected to miss the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season due to injury).
Highlanders
The Highlanders welcome back All Black Shannon Frizell from a three-year stint in Japan, joining Josh Jacomb who has transferred to the deep south from the Chiefs.
He will compete for the number 10 jersey alongside Southland youngster Mika Muliaina, the nephew of All Black centurion Mils Muliaina.
Prop Benet Kumeroa also moves south from the Chiefs.
Henry Bell, Ioane Moananu, Jack Taylor, Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger, Jermaine Ainsley*, Josh Bartlett, Ethan De Groot, Benet Kumeroa, Saula Ma’u, Jack Sexton, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Jacomb, Mika Muliaina, Reesjan Pasitoa, Patrick Pellegrini, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomas Lavanini, Josh Tengblad, Meihana Grindlay, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Josh Whaanga, Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizell, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Joseva Tamani, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Finn Hurley, Jona Nareki, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Tuna Tuitama, Xavier Tito-Harris and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Ardie Savea will play for the Blues in 2027.
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Blues
The Blues have made the biggest off season signing with All Blacks captain Ardie Savea moving from the now bust Moana Pasifika to the Eden Park based side.
They also have a new coach in former Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland, while All Blacks back Rieko Ioane is back after spending last season in Ireland.
Savea joins a loose forward group that includes the likes of Anton Segner, Torian Barnes, Malachi Wrampling and Jed Melvin.
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu heads a second row that includes Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook and Jack Lee.
Beauden Barrett is joined at first five by new signing Cam Millar and former Wallabies wing Darby Lancaster joins from the Western Force.
Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates, James Mullan, Eli Oudenryn*, Bradley Slater, Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Jack Lee*, Patrick Tuipulotu, Torian Barnes, Cam Christie, Che Clark, Jed Melvin*, Ardie Savea*, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling, Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Nic Shearer*, Beauden Barrett, Cam Millar*, Rico Simpson, Pita Ahki (long term injury), James Cameron, Leo Gordon*, Rieko Ioane, Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele, Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Darby Lancaster*, Payton Spencer, Rory Taylor*, Cody Vai.
*First time fully contracted Blues Squad members
New Zealand sevens player Frank Vaenuku will join the Chiefs in 2027.
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Chiefs
The Chiefs have added a mix of experience, emerging talent and international flair to their 2027 Super Rugby squad, with several new faces set to make their mark in the Waikato.
Experienced halfback Richard Judd joins having previously made 21 appearances for the Hurricanes, while fellow number nine Charlie Sinton has played for the New Zealand Under 20’s.
International sevens player Frank Vaenuku has been added, while loose forward Corey Kellow joins after four years with the Crusaders.
Tongan prop Paula Latu is the other newcomer.
Recently announced Highlanders centurion Daniel Lienert-Brown and Hurricanes forward Tevita Mafileo move north to strengthen the Chiefs front row.
George Dyer, Paula Latu*, Daniel Lienert-Brown*, Tevita Mafileo, Ollie Norris, Jared Proffit, Taine Kolose, Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrone Thompson**, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jai Knight*, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Tupou Vaa’i, Aisake Vakasiuola, Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson, Corey Kellow*, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Richard Judd*, Cortez Ratima, Charlie Sinton*, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Taha Kemara*, Damian McKenzie, Kyle Brown, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchinson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Sinkinson, Kyren Taumoefolau and Frank Vaenuku*.
Scott Barrett is back for the Crusaders.
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Crusaders
Former All Blacks assistant Scott Hansen takes over as head coach at the Crusaders, who welcome back first-five Richie Mo’unga from Japan.
Frenchman Frenchman Clément Castets joins the side as a replacement for All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams, who is recovering from a spinal infection, until Williams is ready to play.
At hooker, Codie Taylor is joined by George Bell and Manumaua Letiu, while Scott Barrett, who took a non-playing sabbitical last Super Rugby season, leads a locking group featuring Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill and Liam Jack.
New signing Finn McLeod is in the loose forwards as is the trio of Xavier Treacy, Oli Mathis and Johnny Lee, who proved their worth in the 2026 Wider Training Group.
All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku has been selected as a midfielder alongside new signings Jake Te Hiwi and Corey Evans.
Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou*, Clément Castets*, Codie Taylor, Manumaua Letiu, George Bell, Liam Jack, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Xavier Saifoloi, Ethan Blackadder, Dominic Gardiner, Xavier Treacy*, Christian Lio-Willie, Finn McLeod*, Oli Mathis*, Johnny Lee*, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Mitchell Drummond, Rivez Reihana, James White, Richie Mo’unga, Jake Te Hiwi*, Corey Evans*, Toby Bell, Cooper Roberts*, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Johnny McNicholl, Kurtis MacDonald*, Macca Springer, Maloni Kunawave, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan.