The Auckland Blues’ Journey into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Season

The Auckland Blues are preparing for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, with Eden Park as their home venue. This year marks a significant moment for the team as they welcome back a prominent player from France, who will now call Eden Park home.

In the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, the Blues concluded their campaign with a record of 6–8 and 33 points across 14 matches, finishing in sixth place in the final standings. This performance was enough to keep them in the postseason, although their season ended with a loss in the semifinals.

As preparations for the 2026 season begin, the Blues are working with a largely stable squad. Head coach Vern Cotter, who is in his final year under contract, continues to lead the team. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu remains at the center of the leadership group, guiding the Blues as they aim to build on their recent successes in Super Rugby.

One of the most notable additions to the Blues roster this year is a Top 14 star, adding a new dimension to the team’s strategy and talent pool.

Blues Rugby Roster for 2026

The Blues roster remains mostly intact, with key players returning and new faces joining the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Here’s a breakdown of the squad:

Prop:
– Ben Ake
– Flyn Yates
– Jordan Lay
– Joshua Fusitu’a
– Marcel Renata
– Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Hooker:
– Bradley Slater
– James Mullan
– Kurt Eklund

Lock:
– Josh Beehre
– Laghlan McWhannell
– Patrick Tuipulotu
– Sam Darry

Back Row:
– Anton Segner
– Cameron Christie
– Che Clark
– Dalton Papali’i
– Hoskins Sotutu
– Malachi Wrampling
– Terrel Peita
– Tristan Cook

Halfback:
– Finlay Christie
– Sam Nock
– Taufa Funaki

Flyhalves:
– Beauden Barrett
– Rico Simpson
– Stephen Perofeta
– Zarn Sullivan

Midfield:
– Corey Evans
– James Cameron
– Pita Ahki
– Xavi Taele

Outside Backs:
– AJ Lam
– Caleb Clarke
– Cody Vai
– Cole Forbes
– Kade Banks
– Payton Spencer

Super Rugby Pacific Schedule for the 2026 Season

The Blues have an exciting schedule ahead, with several high-profile matches:

• February 14: Blues vs. Chiefs (1:05 a.m.)
• February 21: Western Force vs. Blues (3:35 a.m.)
• February 28: ACT Brumbies vs. Blues (3:35 a.m.)
• March 7: Blues vs. Crusaders (1:05 a.m.)
• March 14: Blues vs. Moana Pasifika (10:35 p.m.)
• March 21: NSW Waratahs vs. Blues (4:35 a.m.)
• March 28: Blues vs. Fijian Drua (2:05 a.m.)
• April 11: Hurricanes vs. Blues (3:05 a.m.)
• April 17: Blues vs. Highlanders (3:05 a.m.)
• April 25: Blues vs. Queensland Reds (3:35 a.m.)
• May 2: Moana Pasifika vs. Blues (3:05 a.m.)
• May 8: Crusaders vs. Blues (3:05 a.m.)
• May 16: Blues vs. Hurricanes (3:05 a.m.)
• May 30: Chiefs vs. Blues (3:05 a.m.)

What Did the Blues Achieve in 2025?

The Blues finished the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season in sixth place with a record of 6–8 and 33 points. They qualified for the postseason and reached the semifinals, where they were eliminated.

When Does the Super Rugby Pacific Season Start?

The 30th season of Super Rugby begins on February 13 with Round 1, featuring the first game between the Highlanders and Crusaders at 1:05 a.m. ET.

How to Watch the Super Rugby Pacific Season

Fans can watch every match of the 2025 Super Rugby season on sportify and the FloSports app. Subscribers can also access archives and replays of all matches.

For those interested in watching rugby throughout the year, a sportify annual subscription offers live and on-demand access to various rugby competitions, including the United Rugby Championship, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, PREM Rugby, and more.

Accessing Rugby Matches in the United States

Professional club rugby in Europe streams on sportify and the FloSports app in the United States. These platforms also serve as the U.S. home for:

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby

And more. sportify also provides access to match archives and replays.

Join the Rugby Conversation

Follow sportify on social media to stay updated:
– Twitter: @sportify
– Instagram: @sportify
– YouTube: Watch us
– Facebook: Like us