Wallabies gun snubbed for Super Rugby opener as round one team sheets are packed with surprises

Wallabies gun Andrew Kellaway has been snubbed for Friday's Super Rugby Pacific opener between the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds.

And ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has also sprung a selection surprise in round one.

Read on for all the team news as Super Rugby celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Watch the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport

HIGHLANDERS vs CRUSADERS in Dunedin, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT

Otago's Lucas Casey will make his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders after coach Jamie Joseph opted for his speed at No.8 against the defending champions.

The Highlanders are reeling from the news that star All Blacks lock Fabian Holland will have surgery on his dislocated shoulder and will miss the entire season.

"Our supporters know this fixture means a lot, and the boys have prepared with that in mind," Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said.

"The guys have connected well during pre-season, working hard for each other, they're clear on how we want to play, and they're hungry to get the competition underway. The Crusaders always set a high standard, but we're excited about the challenge. It's a group that represents the south with pride, and we're ready to get stuck in."

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Crusaders coach Rob Penney has named a powerful bench that includes five All Blacks in Will Jordan, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, George Bower and Kyle Preston.

"We've got a bit of a bomb squad off the bench, which is exciting," Penney said.

"This is a good South Island derby, it'll be ultra-competitive. You don't have to look back through history too much to understand how Friday night's going to start."

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a

CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Seb Calder, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

Replacements: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Will Jordan

Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)

NSW WARATAHS vs QUEENSLAND REDS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has raised eyebrows by leaving Wallabies veteran Andrew Kellaway out of his first 23 of the season.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start the season in his Test position at outside centre after McKellar ditched his preference for playing him at fullback.

James Hendren is set to make his Waratahs debut in the No.15 jersey.

"Kells has just got to keep working hard," McKellar said.

"The boys that returned from the Wallabies environment had a really long and challenging 2025. Kells is a quality player and he'll play plenty of Super Rugby in 2026, there's no doubt. We just thought an extra week of training and just getting some more metres in the legs would be good for him.

"Jimmy Hendren performed well (in preseason) and has earned a crack."

There is no room in the Reds 23 for Wallabies playmakers Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will instead start at No.10 outside halfback Louis Werchon.

"Harry was the guy driving our squad from No.10 throughout the pre-season and had good game time in both our trials," Reds coach Les Kiss said.

"Louis has returned match-hardened and he's certainly brought that experience and maturity into training."

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, James Hendren

Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jake Debreczeni, Triston Reilly

REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, John Bryant, James Martens, Finn Mackay, Xavier Rubens

Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)

FIJIAN DRUA vs MOANA PASIFIKA in Lautoka, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (c), Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Kemu Valetini, Ponipate Loganimasi, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Manasa Mataele, Ilaisa Droasese

Replacements: Penaia Cakobau, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani, Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo

MOANA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomila, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Dominic Ropeti, Siaosi Nginingini, Denzel Samoa, Glen Vaihu

Referee: Marcus Playle (NZ)

BLUES vs CHIEFS in Auckland, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT

Canterbury flanker Torian Barnes will make a surprise debut start for the Blues in the 'Battle of the Bombays' on Saturday.

Beauden Barrett is on All Blacks leave so Stephen Perofeta will start at No.10.

"You don't get any easy games in this competition and we want to start the season strongly," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.

"We've had some good preparation throughout pre-season with a clear focus on how we want to play."It's about how we start, build pressure, and respond throughout the game. Everyone is looking forward to the challenge."

Young Josh Jacomb will pilot the Chiefs from No.10 on Saturday with superstar Damian McKenzie not considered after the birth of his first child last week.

New coach Jono Gibbes has named ex-Moana Pasifika star Kyren Taumoefolau on the right wing while Kyle Brown, Benet Kumeroa and Tepaea Cook-Savage are also set to make their club debuts from the bench.

"When the team was announced there was a big roar for the debutants and there's a recognition that it is a special time for them," Gibbes said.

"You always know that you haven't had enough time (in the preseason) to focus on every single thing. There will be some stuff that is highlighted by a very good Blues team – that's the size of the challenge. It's important for us that we fall back to what we have trained."

The Chiefs are title favourites in 2026 but the Blues have home advantage in round one.

"It's a fixture that has brought the best out in both teams over the years. There's a long history of the red, yellow and black colours flying high at Eden Park so hopefully that is the case this week," Gibbes said.

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai

CHIEFS: (1-15): Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord ,Tupou Vaa'i, Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Kyren Taumoefolau, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi , Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Kyle Brown

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)

WESTERN FORCE vs ACT BRUMBIES in Perth, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT

Four players will make starting debuts for the Force on Saturday.

Off-season recruits Franco Molina, Nathan Hastie and George Bridge have been named in coach Simon Cron's first 23 of the season while prop Harry Johnson-Holmes is fit again after a long-term knee injury.

Meanwhile, young Declan Meredith has won the race to wear the Brumbies No.10 jersey in round one, with Wallabies recruit Tane Edmed named on the bench by Stephen Larkham.

Edmed has joined the Brumbies after falling out of favour at the Waratahs.

"Tane's improving each week as his understanding grows around how we want to play - particularly in set-piece attack, multiphase attack, and multiphase defence," Larkham said.

"He's been settling into the detail of the role and developing those connections with his new teammates, and that connection will be vital as the season begins.

"Declan's been in the system for four years, had a strong year last season, and has had a solid pre-season. He has earned his playing time, and the competition and depth the pair bring is a significant positive for the squad moving into the season."

Kadin Pritchard will make his starting debut at outside centre and get the first opportunity to fill the boots left by Len Ikitau.

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Franco Molina, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead

Reserves: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton

Referee: Jordan Way (AUS)

ROUND 1 BYE: HURRICANES