TEAM PREVIEW: MOANA PASIFIKA

Last season: New entrant Home ground: Mt Smart Stadium Coach: Aaron Mauger Captain: Sekope Kepu RETURNING STAR Sekope Kepu shapes as a cornerstone of the Moana Pasifika pack. With 110 Test caps for Australia, and 141 appearances for the Waratahs in Super Rugby across 12 seasons, backed by European experience with Bordeaux

TEAM PREVIEW: THE HIGHLANDERS

Last season:  Beaten finalists in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, fourth in Super Rugby Aotearoa Home ground: Forsyth Barr Stadium Coach: Tony Brown Captain: James Lentjes Gains: Gareth Evans, Andrew Makalio, Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Rhys Marshall, Josh Timu, Sean Withy, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Sam Caird Losses: Josh Ioane, Ash Dixon, Siate Tokolahi, Kazuki Himeno, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Michael

TEAM PREVIEW: QUEENSLAND REDS

The Reds are out to add further silverware to their cabinet after a breakthrough 2021 campaign. In front of the largest crowd for an Australian domestic game in nearly 20 years, Brad Thorn’s side pulled off a last-minute victory over the Brumbies to bring the Reds their first title since 2011. However, a

TEAM PREVIEW: THE HURRICANES

Always one of the most exciting teams to watch, the Hurricanes have made several quality signings over the offseason to bolster their chances of success in Super Rugby Pacific.  Last season: (Super Rugby Aotearoa 5, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 4) Home ground: Sky Stadium Coach: Jason Holland Captain: TBC Gains: Dominic Bird (France); Blake Gibson (Blues); Tei

TEAM PREVIEW: THE NSW WARATAHS

The Waratahs have plenty to prove in Super Rugby Pacific as they enter a new era under Darren Coleman. The side finished last year winless after a series of injuries and heartbreaking defeats, keen to ensure this is not replicated in 2022.   Last season: 5th (Super Rugby AU), 10th (Super Rugby Trans Tasman) Home

FORCE TO BE BASED ON EAST COAST FOR OPENING ROUNDS

The pandemic and Western Australia border restrictions have forced match schedule changes for the start of the tournament. The Western Force will base themselves on Australia's East Coast for the opening rounds of the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific due to ongoing border restrictions in Western Australia as a result