The selections of two young guns plucked out of wider training groups headline the first Super Rugby Wednesday team lists of 2026

Lucas Casey - who had a breakout NPC campaign for Otago - gets the nod at number eight for the Highlanders against the Crusaders on Friday in Dunedin.

Further north and Torian Barnes - who has played 14 games for Canterbury - is a shock selection at blindside for the Blues as they welcome the Chiefs on Saturday.

The Crusaders will roll out All Blacks Codie Taylor and Will Jordan off the bench for their trip to Dunedin.

Coach Rob Penney has also handed incumbent Rivez Reihana the reins at 10 over Taha Kemara.



Among the other team news, Damian McKenzie will miss the Chiefs' trip to the Blues after the birth of his first child last week - there's also no Wallace Sititi, Simon Parker or Leroy Carter this week.

Josh Jacomb steers the team from 10, with four debutants in the 23 - including ex-Moana flyer Kyren Taumoefolau



Former All Black Ngani Laumape will make his Moana Pasifika debut against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.

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