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Every New Zealand team’s season schedule for Super Rugby Pacific 2027
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Following the announcement of Super Rugby Pacific’s 2027 draw, fans around Australia and New Zealand can get excited about their favourite yearly fixtures.
The expanded ten-team, seventeen-round draw features several changes from 2026, including more Sunday fixtures and regional games.
Jono Gibbes’ Chiefs will host the Hurricanes in Taranaki, while the ACT Brumbies will return to Corroboree Group Oval in Manuka for the first time in 30 years.
Here’s a deep dive into the New Zealand franchises’ fixture list.
Hurricanes
Key additions: Oliver Haig (Highlanders), Rohan Wingham (Highlanders),
Last season: 1st – Super Rugby Pacific Champions.
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific champions will begin the upcoming season with a mountain of confidence after a dominant season under Clark Laidlaw. But, Laidlaw’s side have lost Warner Dearns, attack coach Jason Holland, assistant coach Brad Cooper, and a number of experienced players.
Former Chiefs assistant Roger Randle will run their attack, while they have made only two additions to date, both from the Highlanders in Haig and Wingham.
Their depth may be tested, but a core of Asafo Aumua, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cameron Roigard, Ruben Love, and Jordie Barrett will leave them in good stead ahead of the extended 2027 season.
“It’s an exciting time of the off-season to get the draw,” Laidlaw said in the Hurricanes media release.
“It’s always good to see where the games fall. It’s an exciting start with two Kiwi derbies away from home. I would imagine that will give us a good reflection of how pre-season has gone.
“It’s also an interesting period around the Anzac Day test with away games to the Brumbies and the Drua on either side of that match, so it’s a period that we’ll need to plan well for.
“It’s great that we get to play in Super Round against the Reds and to have some big Kiwi derbies at the back end of the season to really test ourselves and try build momentum before the finals.”
Regular season schedule 2027
Round 1: v Blues at Eden Park, Auckland – 7:05pm, Saturday 13 February
Round 2: v Crusaders at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch – 7:35pm, Friday 19 February
Round 3: v Force at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7:35pm, Friday 26 February
Round 4: v Waratahs at Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 9:45pm, Friday 5 March
Round 5: v Fijian Drua at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 4:35pm, Saturday, 13 March
Round 6: v Crusaders at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7:35pm, Friday 19 March
Round 7: v Chiefs at Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth – 4pm, Sunday 28 March
Round 8: v Reds at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch – 4:30pm, Sunday 4 April
Round 9: v Highlanders at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm, Saturday 10 April
Round 10: v Brumbies at GIO Stadium, Canberra – 9:45pm, Friday 16 April
Round 11: Bye
Round 12: v Fijian Drua at TBC Venue, Fiji – 7:35pm, Friday 30 April
Round 13: v Chiefs at TBC Venue – 7:05pm, Saturday 8 May
Round 14: v Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – 4pm, Sunday 16 May
Round 15: v Brumbies at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm, Saturday 22 May
Round 16: v Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 9:35pm, Saturday 29 May
Round 17: v Blues at Hnry Stadium, Wellington – 7:35pm, Friday 4 June
Crusaders
Key additions:: Richie Mo’unga (Japan), Corey Evans (Blues)
Last season: Semi-finalists.
The most successful Super Rugby Pacific franchise heads into 2027 with a new-look coaching staff, with former All Blacks assistant Scott Hansen replacing Rob Penney. Brad Mooar has also stepped away, taking charge of the Fijian Drua for 2027.
While the coaching staff will look different, experienced All Blacks first-five Richie Mo’unga returns to the red-and-blacks from his three-year stint in Japan. His big-game nous will benefit the Crusaders in 2027, while All Blacks lock and former captain Scott Barrett will add power and punch up front, after missing the whole 2026 season.
Corey Evans, who was in and out of the Blues matchday squad over the past few seasons, is set to play a big part in 2027, with the departure of long-time midfield duo Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor. Tamaiti Williams could also return, while Ethan Blackadder, Jamie Hannah, Kyle Preston, and George Bower will return to Christchurch after a solid season with the All Blacks.
The Crusaders will open the season at home to Vern Cotter’s Queensland Reds, before four straight New Zealand derbies.
Hansen said attention has already turned to the 2027 season, admitting that their first-up contest against the Reds is an “immediate challenge”.
“There’s a lot to be excited about. Seeing the season draw gives us all the opportunity to look forward, plan, prepare and build towards what promises to be a really exciting year for our club and our young, talented squad.
“2026 had such a positive, ambitious and energetic feel at every home game thanks to our amazing supporters. Opening the season against the Reds, a team and organisation we have genuine respect for, here at our home gives us an immediate challenge and something for our players and supporters to really look forward to as we start our 2027 Crusade together.”
Regular season schedule 2027
Round 1, HOME – Friday 12 February
Crusaders v Reds, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 2, HOME – Friday 19 February
Crusaders v Hurricanes, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 3, AWAY – Sunday 28 February
Blues v Crusaders, 4.00pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Round 4, HOME – Saturday 6 March
Crusaders v Chiefs, 7.05pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 5, HOME – Friday 12 March
Crusaders v Highlanders, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 6, AWAY – Friday 19 March
Hurricanes v Crusaders, 7.35pm, Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Round 7, HOME – EASTER WEEKEND – Friday 26 March
Crusaders v Blues, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 8 – SUPER ROUND – Friday 2 April
Crusaders v Brumbies, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 9, AWAY – Sunday 11 April
Waratahs v Crusaders, 4.00pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Round 10, AWAY – Saturday 17 April
Force v Crusaders, 9.35pm, HBF Park, Perth
Round 11 – ANZAC WEEKEND AND BLEDISLOE CUP – Bye
Round 12, AWAY – Saturday 1 May
Chiefs v Crusaders, 4.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 13, AWAY – Friday 7 May
Brumbies v Crusaders, 9.45pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 14, HOME – Saturday 15 May
Crusaders v Waratahs, 7.05pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 15, AWAY – Friday 21 May
Fijian Drua v Crusaders, 7.35pm, Fiji (venue TBC)
Round 16, HOME – Friday 28 May
Crusaders v Force, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 17, AWAY – Saturday 5 June
Highlanders v Crusaders, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Blues
Key additions: Rieko Ioane (Leinster), Cameron Millar (Highlanders), Nic Shearer (Highlanders), Darby Lancaster (NSW Waratahs).
Last season: Semi-finalists.
The Blues will enter the 2027 campaign with a fresh start, at least in the coaching box, with former All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland at the helm. Holland has brought in Ben Ake and Tamati Ellison as assistants, while the return of Ioane and Lancaster will help fill the gap left by AJ Lam and Corey Evans.
They will be without inspirational skipper Dalton Papali’i, who jetted off to France for the 2027 season and beyond, joining former All Black Hoskins Sotutu as loose-forward departures.
The Auckland-based franchise was knocked out by the Crusaders in 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, and will face them in round three at Eden Park, part of their first three fixtures, all New Zealand derbies.
Holland’s side will play back-to-back games in Christchurch, against the Crusaders in round seven, before their “home” game against the NSW Waratahs in Super Round.
Rounds five to nine will challenge the Blues, with four straight away fixtures, before returning to Eden Park against the Chiefs on April 9.
Regular season schedule 2027
Round | Date | Fixture | Venue | NZT |
Round 1 | Sat Feb 13 | Blues v Hurricanes | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:05 pm |
Round 2 | Sat Feb 20 | Highlanders v Blues | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | 7:05 pm |
Round 3 | Sun Feb 28 | Blues v Crusaders | Eden Park, Auckland | 4:00 pm |
Round 4 | Sat Mar 6 | Blues v Queensland Reds | Eden Park, Auckland | 4:35 pm |
Round 5 | Sat Mar 13 | Chiefs v Blues | FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton | 7:05 pm |
Round 6 | Sat Mar 20 | Fijian Drua v Blues | TBC, Fiji | 4:35 pm |
Round 7 | Fri Mar 26 | Crusaders v Blues | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | 7:35 pm |
Round 8 | Sat Apr 3 | Blues v NSW Waratahs | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | 7:35 pm |
Round 9 | Fri Apr 9 | Blues v Chiefs | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:35 pm |
Round 10 | — | BYE | — | — |
Round 11 | Sat Apr 24 | Queensland Reds v Blues | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 9:35 pm |
Round 12 | Sat May 1 | Blues v ACT Brumbies | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:05 pm |
Round 13 | Fri May 7 | Blues v Fijian Drua | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:35 pm |
Round 14 | Sat May 15 | Western Force v Blues | HBF Park, Perth | 9:35 pm |
Round 15 | Sat May 22 | NSW Waratahs v Blues | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 9:35 pm |
Round 16 | Sat May 29 | Blues v Highlanders | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:05 pm |
Round 17 | Fri Jun 4 | Hurricanes v Blues | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 7:35 pm |
Highlanders
Key additions: Shannon Frizell (Japan), Josh Jacomb (Chiefs), Ioane Moananu (NSW Waratahs), Patrick Pellegrini (Moana Pasifika), Jermaine Ainsley (Lyon). Joseva Tamani (Fijian Drua), Tuna Tuitama (Moana Pasifika).
Last season: 9th
Jamie Joseph’s men enter the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with another exciting young crop of players, boosted by some much-needed experience. Jacomb, who played for the All Blacks during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry midweek matches, will be at the forefront of the Highlanders’ success.
The 33-Test All Blacks loose-forward, Frizell, will bolster the Highlanders forward pack in a huge year for the experienced No.6. Frizell will be keen to get himself back in All Blacks contention, and a strong season for the Dunedin-based franchise will do exactly that. Moananu is a strong front row addition, and Pellegrini adds important playmaker depth with Millar off to the Blues.
Joseph also secured contract extensions of several young prospects, including Dylan Pledger, Caleb Tangitau, Mika Muliaina, Josh Tengblad, Lucas Casey, Henry Bell, Finn Hurley, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, and Jack Taylor.
The men from the deep south face a tough battle to open their campaign, with their first two away fixtures being in Fiji and Canberra.
Joseph admitted the opening weeks of the season will be challenging.
“Launching our 2027 campaign in Fiji will be a challenge for us, the Drua have built a special home atmosphere, and the conditions at that time of the year will be very testing. With travel to the Brumbies in Canberra following soon after it’s the kind of itinerary that can galvanise a team but will take careful planning to get the best out of our team early on.
“Rewarding consistently strong teams with a guaranteed pathway to the semi-finals is a positive. Next year is going to be a tough competition, one less team and only one bye, and being a Rugby World Cup year as well, will mean managing our player energy week-to-week will be crucial. We’re working as a management team right now to come up with the best way to do that.”
Highlanders CEO Roger Clark explained on the Highlanders’ 2027 fixture release that the chance to play the Crusaders later on in the season is a great change.
“Playing the Crusaders at home at the business end of the season is an exciting prospect, and the timing of this game could make it even more special. It will be a great way to complete our schedule of regular-season home games, and I am sure it will generate a lot of interest from our fans.”
Regular season schedule 2027
1 | 3.35pm Sat 13 Feb | v Fijian Drua | TBC, Fiji | ||
2 | 7.05pm Sat 20 Feb | v Blues | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | ||
3 | 7.35pm Sat 27 Feb | v Brumbies | GIO Stadium, Canberra, | ||
4 | 7.35pm Fri 5 Mar | v Force | TBC* | ||
5 | 7.35pm Fri 12 Mar | v Crusaders | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | ||
6 | 7.05pm Sat 20 Mar | v Chiefs | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | ||
7 | 7.05pm Sat 27 Mar | v Brumbies | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | ||
8 | 2.00pm Sun 4 Apr | v Fijian Drua | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | ||
9 | 7.05pm Sat 10 Apr | v Hurricanes | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | ||
10 | 7.05pm Sat 17 Apr | v Waratahs | TBC* | ||
11 | BYE | ||||
12 | 7.35pm Sat 1 May | v Reds | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | ||
13 | 2.05pm Sun 9 May | v Force | HBF Park, Perth | ||
14 | 4.00pm Sun 16 May | v Hurricanes | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | ||
15 | 4.35pm Sat 22 May | v Chiefs | FMG Stadium Waikato | ||
16 | 7.05pm Sat 29 May | v Blues | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
17 | 7.05pm Sat 5 Jun | v Crusaders | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin |
Chiefs
Key additions: Taha Kemara (Crusaders), Anton Lienert-Brown (Japan)
Last season: Runners-up
Jono Gibbes’ Chiefs will look to finally get over the hump in 2027, after losing their fourth-straight Super Rugby Pacific final last season. Their defeat against the Hurricanes in Wellington was a night to forget, but the Hamilton-based franchise still holds an incredibly strong squad.
With Jacomb at the Highlanders, Kemara, a Hamilton Boys’ High School old boy, is a solid addition to their playmaking stocks. Lienert-Brown, who made his 94th Test appearance for the All Blacks against South Africa in Baltimore, returns to the Chiefs after a sabbatical in Japan.
But Gibbes has lost several key members, including Samipeni Finau, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Xavier Roe, and Jacomb.
The Chiefs start their 2027 campaign with a tough trip to Australia, against the Force in round one, before taking on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
“We are so excited to be heading back to Taranaki, especially to take such a big NZ derby,” Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said.
“The rivalry amongst fans in Taranaki is huge, but we know our Gallagher Chiefs supporters will get behind the boys and make this one of the games of the year. There is obviously a great contingent of local Taranaki players in the Gallagher Chiefs squad.
“Our pre-season game last year had a great crowd, and we’ve been keen on making this happen for a while. Having a draw that lets us explore regional options and get the team out to Chiefs Country is fantastic; credit has to be given to the commitment and effort from Taranaki RFU and New Plymouth District Council for making this game happen.”
Regular season schedule 2027
Round 1 | Saturday 13th February, 9.35pm
Western Force v Gallagher Chiefs
HBF Park, Perth
Round 2 | Sunday 21st February, 6.05pm
Queensland Reds v Gallagher Chiefs
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Round 3 | Saturday 27th February, 7.05pm
Gallagher Chiefs vs NSW Waratahs
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 4 | Saturday 6th March, 7.05pm
Crusaders v Gallagher Chiefs
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Round 5 | Saturday 13th March, 7.05pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Blues
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 6 | Saturday 20th March, 7.05pm
Highlanders v Gallagher Chiefs
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Round 7 | Sunday 28th March, 4pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Hurricanes
Stadium Taranaki
Round 8 | Saturday 3rd April, 5.05pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Western Force
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Round 9 | Friday 9th April, 7.35pm
Blues v Gallagher Chiefs
Eden Park, Auckland
Round 10 | Friday 16th April, 7.35pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Fijian Drua
FMG Stadium Waikato
Round 11 | Bye
Round 12 | Saturday 1st May, 4.35pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Crusaders
FMG Stadium Waikato
Round 13 | Saturday 8th May, 7.05pm
Hurricanes v Gallagher Chiefs
Location TBC
Round 14 | Friday 14th May, 7.35pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Queensland Reds
FMG Stadium Waikato
Round 15 | Saturday 22nd May, 4.35pm
Gallagher Chiefs v Highlanders
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 16 | Friday 28th May, 9.45pm
ACT Brumbies v Gallagher Chiefs
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 17 | Saturday 5th June, 9.35pm
NSW Waratahs v Gallagher Chiefs
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
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