Super Rugby Updates & Changes
You can always bet on Super Rugby to keep play interesting. Bookies are anticipating 2026 to be anything but a repeat of 2025. Why? Transfers and personnel switch-ups, some of them big, promise to shake up team dynamics in the coming season. We, for one, can’t wait to see how it all plays out under the spotlights.
There’s plenty of time for new announcements. But so far, here’s where we stand: below are some of the most eye-catching personnel updates and changes in Super Rugby which could just swing the state of play.
- Tomás Lavanini has joined the Highlanders.
- Timoci Tavatavanawai has extended his contract with the Highlanders.
- All Black Ardie Savea will be leaving Super Rugby 2026 for a sabbatical.
- Noah Lolesio is leaving the Brumbies to go overseas.
Food for thought. And that’s not even the half of it! Let’s see how these changes impact gameplay next season. Watch Super Rugby online at Stan Sport for the best, most comprehensive coverage in Australia!
Introducing the New Lucky Loser Rules
You might remember that back in 2024 Super Rugby introduced a new “Lucky Loser” rule. This basically meant that one losing team from the first week of the playoffs could advance to the next round even though they lost, rather than being sent home immediately.
This rule was in effect in 2025. It meant that six teams qualified for the Finals after the regular season. But the Lucky Loser dropped one seeding spot.
Things are changing a little in 2026. The Lucky Loser still advances as normal. However, instead of dropping one seeding spot, they will automatically become the #4 seed for the semi-finals. This means they’ll always play away in the semis and (if they progress) the final.
The idea is to do two things: one, keep more teams in for longer, which is more exciting for fans, and two, make the Finals structure fairer.
Watch the new Lucky Loser rule play out when you stream Super Rugby live on Stan Sport!
More About Super Rugby
Super Rugby has been revamped a number of times since its inception in 1996. During its early days, rugby union fans called it “Super 12” when it consisted of 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It was later changed to “Super 14” with the addition of two teams.
The expansion to 15 teams for the 2011 season led to another name-change - “Super Rugby”. Competing teams have changed since then. As of 2025, there are 11 participating teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
New Zealand’s Crusaders are Super Rugby’s current victors, defeating the Chiefs during last season’s final match. The 2026 season will soon be underway. The action resumes between competing teams, unravelling rivalry and increasing intensity in every match. Wherever you are in the standings, Super Rugby 2026 is set to deliver unmissable clashes. Watch it live and on demand on Stan Sport any day of the week!
FAQs
Every match of Super Rugby’s 2026 season is available live and on-demand, as well as ad-free, on Stan Sport. You’ll need to get a Basic Stan subscription and then a Sports add-on to watch Super Rugby live.
Yes, Channel 9 offers key matches in Australia for free. Currently, one match per round is broadcast live on 9Gem.
Every Super Rugby match is available live and on-demand on Stan Sport. To reiterate, you will need a Stan subscription before you can get a Stan Sport add-on.
You can watch Super Rugby for free via Channel 9’s Saturday broadcasts, which you can also stream on 9Now. Watching sports on Channel 9 and 9Now, however, include ads.
Stan Sport offers full replays of every Super Rugby game, which is super handy for when you miss a game!
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season comprises 16 rounds, with each of the 11 teams playing 14 matches and having two byes.