Fourteen debutants will grace New Zealand's DHL Super Rugby Pacific teams in the opening round of the 30th year of professional rugby over the weekend.
That number could be extended next week when the Hurricanes, who have the first-round bye, name their team for their second-round opener.
Not all of the debut players are new names, however. Second five-eighths, and 15-Test veteran for the All Blacks, Ngani Laumape has 85 appearances for the Hurricanes to put to use for his new home at Moana Pasifika when they play the Drua in Lautoka.
Highlanders prop Angus Ta'avao, an All Black in 22 Tests, carries 74 games in two stints for the Blues, 62 for the Chiefs and 22 for the Waratahs, a total of 158 games, to his new team in Dunedin, where they will open the season against the Crusaders.
After seven seasons, and 68 games, with the Chiefs, hooker Bradley Slater has joined the Blues from 2026 and will face his former teammates at Eden Park on Saturday.
Canterbury flanker Torian Barnes, 22, will start for the Blues while former All Blacks Sevens representative Cody Vai, 21, will come off the bench.
Wing Kyren Taumoefolau, a Tongan Test player, had 21 appearances for Moana Pasifika before transferring to the Chiefs for his first game on Saturday. Midfield back Kyle Brown, utility back Tepaea Cook-Savage and prop Benet Kumeroa will debut off the bench.
The Highlanders have Lucas Casey debuting at No8 after his impressive performances for Otago in the NPC, while midfield back Reesjan Pasitoa will debut off the bench.
They will also have co-captain and second five-eighths Timoci Tavatavanawai back from injury and playing his 50th Super Rugby game.
However, they are without World Rugby breakthrough player of the year, lock Fabian Holland, who has been ruled out for the campaign, and the July Test matches with a dislocated shoulder that needs surgery.
Oliver Haig has been named at lock.
Moana Pasifika will introduce three other debutants from the bench. Wing Denzel Samoa, from Queensland, Wellington Lion and NZ Under-20 loose forward Dominic Ropeti, and fullback Glen Vaihu, who was part of the Rebels before switching to league. He returned to rugby in Japan last year.
Fullback William Havili, a foundation member of Moana Pasifika, will become the first player to make 50 appearances for the side.
Havili said, "It's awesome playing against our Pacific brothers. They are an expansive team and they like to throw the ball around. It will be a good match up and especially over there in Fiji. It will be hot, but the boys are ready for it.”
With the introduction of an official Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year Award for 2026, make sure to keep an eye on players just starting their Super Rugby Pacific careers. Read more about Rookie of the Year here.
Check out the full team lists for Round One here.
