The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season has officially kicked off, bringing with it the eagerly awaited first update on player injuries and absences for this opening round.
This week, numerous key players will be sidelined, whether due to injuries or as they continue their recovery from extensive Test match participation. Among the notable absentees are Beauden Barrett and Nick Frost, along with Wallabies flyhalves Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh. It’s worth mentioning that the Hurricanes have a bye this week, so they are not included in the list of unavailable players.
Here’s a detailed look at the Super Rugby Pacific Round One Injury and Unavailability List:
Blues
- Cameron Christie (knee injury; out for the season)
- Corey Evans (ankle injury)
- Jordan Lay (concussion)
- Payton Spencer (concussion)
- Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder injury)
- Malachi Wrampling (concussion)
- Beauden Barrett (resting)
Brumbies
- Allan Alaalatoa (back injury)
- Lachlan Lonergan (knee injury)
- Tom Wright (knee injury)
- Nick Frost (resting)
Chiefs
- Brodie McAlister (hand injury; expected return in round 4)
- Lalakai Foketi (knee injury; expected return in round 3)
- Sione Ahio (ankle injury; return date to be confirmed)
- Isaac Hutchinson (knee injury; expected return in round 8)
- Damian McKenzie (on paternity leave for the birth of his first child)
Crusaders
- Macca Springer (quad strain; 1-2 weeks recovery)
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin (hip injury; 1-2 weeks recovery)
- Johnny McNicholl (hamstring strain; 3 weeks recovery)
- Liam Jack (hamstring injury; 6-8 weeks recovery)
- Maloni Kunawave (hamstring injury; 6-8 weeks recovery)
- Cooper Roberts (fibula injury; 6-8 weeks recovery)
- Cullen Grace (knee injury; return date to be confirmed)
Fijian Drua
- No reported injuries
Highlanders
- Fabian Holland (shoulder injury; return date to be confirmed)
- Saula Ma’u (shoulder injury; expected return in 8 weeks)
- Xavier Tito-Harris (hamstring strain; 2 weeks recovery)
- Stanley Solomon (shoulder injury; 2 weeks recovery)
- Finn Hurley (foot injury; 5 weeks recovery)
- Andrew Knewstubb (quad strain; 2 weeks recovery)
- Dylan Pledger (ACL injury; out for the season)
Moana Pasifika
- Augustine Pulu (calf injury)
- Jimmy Tupou (elbow injury)
- Niko Jones (foot injury)
- Ola Tauelangi (back injury)
- Tupou Afungia (neck injury)
- Paula Latu (knee injury)
- Tevita Latu (knee injury)
NSW Waratahs
- Austin Durbidge (forearm injury)
- Angus Scott-Young (calf injury)
- Eamon Doyle (ankle injury)
Queensland Reds
- Filipo Daugunu (injury status not specified)
- Massimo De Lutiis (injury status not specified)
- Carter Gordon (resting)
- Tom Lynagh (resting)
- Will McCulloch (injury status not specified)
- Tate McDermott (injury status not specified)
- Heremaia Murray (injury status not specified)
- Josh Nasser (injury status not specified)
- Kalani Thomas (injury status not specified)
- Ben Volavola (injury status not specified)
- Harry Wilson (injury status not specified)
Western Force
- NicDolly (knee injury; short-term recovery)
- Doug Phillipson (knee injury; long-term recovery)
- Feao Fotuaika (foot injury; medium-term recovery)
- Dylan Pietsch (foot injury; short-term recovery)
- Darby Lancaster (thigh injury; short-term recovery)
- Alex Harford (shoulder injury; long-term recovery)
Now is the perfect time to revise your Fantasy Super Rugby Pacific lineup. Make sure to select your favorite players for round one! If you’re interested, click here to join and participate in Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy (https://www.playfantasyrugby.com/super/).
