Unchanged from last season (2025), eleven teams compete in around-robin format, playing fourteen matches each (seven home, seven away), with two byes.[2] Teams face four "rivals" twice and six others once. The top six advance to theQualifying Finals: 1st vs 6th, 2nd vs 5th, and 3rd vs 4th. Winners and the highest-seeded losing team move to the semi-finals. Newly introduced for 2026,[2] rather than losing one seeding rank as in theprevious season, the highest-ranked losing team enters as the fourth seed, playing away in theSemi-finals, and, if they advance, in theFinal.[2][6]
Standings are based on competition points: four for a win, two for a draw, and none for a loss.Bonus points are awarded for scoring three or more tries than the opponent or losing by seven points or fewer.[7]
Competition points breakdown: * 4 competition points for a win * 2 competition points for a draw * 1 competition bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 competition bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match
Tiebreaker rules: If, at any stage, teams have the same number of competition points, the followingtiebreaker rules apply (in this order) to determine their standing: * Most wins from all matches * Highest difference between total points for and total points against from all matches (points difference) * Most tries scored from all matches * Highest difference between total tries for and total tries against from all matches *Coin toss
The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:
The following squads have been named. Players listed as WTG are players named in the wider training groups. Players listed initalics denote non-original squad members:
^Although based inAuckland,New Zealand, the Moana Pasifika holds no official relationship withNew Zealand Rugby (NZR) and was established to "create opportunities" to players fromPacific Islands countries.[17] They often play one or two matches per season inTonga and/orSamoa. Furthermore, the team is owned by Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMAG), a medical provider based in New Zealand.[18]
^Williamson, Nathan (20 July 2023)."Les Kiss named Queensland Reds coach".Rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia.Archived from the original on 14 November 2023.The Queensland Reds have confirmed their new head coach, signing Les Kiss on a three-year deal.
Australia
Simon Cron[9]
Fiji
Jamie Joseph[16]
Clark Laidlaw
