Super Rugby Pacific 2026 is almost upon us with season kick-off just a month away!
In it's 30th year, SRP will get underway with final prepartions throughout January and into February before the real contest gets begins on February 13 in Dunedin.
Once again 11 teams will battle for the coveted southern hemisphere title with sides from across the Pacific facing-off to be crowned the Pacific's best side.
But first, fans will be treated to multiple pre-season clashes to whet the palate ahead of the main course and allow the players to shake off the rust and prepare for a tough season ahead.
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FRIDAY, 23 JANUARY
Western Force 21-19 Queensland Reds
With a last-play try, the Western Force secured an opening trial win over the Queensland Reds in Perth.
In a see-sawing affair it was replacement flanker Titi Nofoagatotoa who scored the disivive try in the final moments through a rumbling scrum that saw the Force push over the line and Nofoagatotoa put it down before speedster Justin Landman added the extras for the victory.
Just moments earlier it appeared the Reds had sealed the deal with fly-half Carter Gordon combining with John Bryant to score only for the No.10 to miss the conversion, leaving the door open.
The highly entertaining clash also saw Wallabies Darby Lancaster and Brandon Paenga-Amosa both dotted down in an enterprising opening half hour, while it was the Reds who went ahead in the 14th minute through their own Wallabies lock with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto barging over after Josh Canham combined with Matt Faessler.
Both sides continued to tussle through the two remaining thirds before the Force came out on top in thrilling fashion.
FRIDAY, 30 JANUARY
Blues 33-46 Hurricanes
In warm conditions, the Hurricanes came away from their pre-season clash with and eight try to six victory over the Blues, but it will be the Auckland based outfit who will be most please with the showing after Ofa Tuʻungafasi and Stephen Perofeta both made successful comebacks from long-term injuries.
The prop and playmaker both started, with the 68-Test prop completing 28 minutes in his first match since March after neck surgery, holding his own through several dominant scrums and hard collisions.
Crusaders 33-10 Highlanders
The Highlanders were no match for the Crusaders who raced away to a 21-point lead in the opening half and never looked like slowing.
With Manumaua Letiu scoring a double and Toby Bell and Ethan Blackadder crossing over early, the Highlanders struggled to get a foothold in the game, before Caleb Tangitau dotted down just before the break.
The Crusaders ran out with a completely new 15 for the second half and quickly got back on top with Xavier Treacy extending the lead and securing the strong win.
Chiefs v Fijian Drua - Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand (3.00pm NZT, 1.00pm AEDT)
Western Force 42-12 ACT Brumbies
In warm and windy conditions, the Western Force dominated the first half to secure an impressive 42-12 win over the Brumbies.
The Force ran in five first-half tries with prop Tom Robertson and flanker Carlo Tizzano both scoring first-half doubles, while Ben Donaldson produced a stunning solo effort with a brilliant chip and chase try, before Henry Robertson rounded out the scoring in the second after the Brumbies rallied through the second half.
While the Brumbies found the scoreboard through a penalty try and hooker Liam Bowron they were never truly in the contest.
SATURDAY, 31 JANUARY
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs
A pre-season spanking from the NSW Waratahs has delivered Carter Gordon a reality check as the World Cup Wallaby braces for a selection battle ahead of his Super Rugby Pacific return.
The 25-year-old wore the No.10 in his Ballymore homecoming on Saturday, but the Queensland Reds were blown away 49-19.
His first half cameo followed 45 minutes of game time against the Western Force a week ago.
Gordon threw the last pass for a Jock Campbell try and narrowly missed his winger with a long cross-field kick in striving to set up another.
But there was constant spilled ball and loose play that the Waratahs exploited in a procession that drew the ire of Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over as Wallabies boss later this year.
Gordon shifted to the Melbourne Rebels from the Reds in 2021 as an uncapped rookie, before his controversial selection at the 2023 World Cup.
He then shocked with an NRL switch to Gold Coast, eventually ending that injury-plagued stint when he signed a three-year deal with the Reds late last year before earning a ninth Wallabies cap against Italy.
"It just feels like normal now. I wouldn't say it's a massive shock to the system," Gordon told AAP.
"I'm just coming back and adding to what I'd built, before I went to league.
"Sloppy today, but I have built over these two games and it's better (to be sloppy now) than in the first round.
"We weren't executing and we saw heaps of drop ball and all that. We'll take a look at this game pretty seriously."
- AAP
THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY
ACT Brumbies 48 v 50 NSW Waratahs
The Waratahs scored late to down the Brumbies in a free-flowing trial at Canberra's Marist College.
The two sides were forced to endure sweltering conditions, with coaches Stephen Larkham and Dan McKellar going through the entirety of their extended squads.
Brumbies No. 8 Charlie Cale, who missed nearly all of last season with a back injury, scored a first-half hat trick in a display that will have caught the eye of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt who was watching on from the sidelines.
The recently resigned Max Jorgensen also set up a stunning Waratahs try in the first half, the winger running from deep inside his own half and burning Wallabies teammate Corey Toole not once but twice.
Both sides will have been pleased with the hit-out but know they will need to tighten up their defences when the competition begins next weekend.
FRIDAY, 6 FEBRUARY
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika - Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown, New Zealand (2.30pm NZT, 12.30pm AEDT)
Blues v Crusaders - Onewa Domain, Auckland, New Zealand (3.00pm NZT, 1.00pm AEDT)
Fijian Drua v Fiji Provincial Selection Team - Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji (4.00pm FJT, 3.00pm AEDT)
SATURDAY, 7 FEBRUARY
Hurricanes v Chiefs - Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua, New Zealand (1.00pm NZT, 11:00am AEDT)