The ACTUAL Super Rugby team of the year

Super Rugby named it’s official team of the year on Wednesday night and it’s fair to say they missed the mark.

For a start, there are seven Australians in the side when none of their teams made the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes had only one player represented despite finishing top of the table.

Here is the official team of the year decided by an independent media panel alongside the respective captains and coaches for their opposition:

Props - Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)

Hooker - Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)

2nd Row - Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds)

Back Row - Anton Segner (Blues), Leicester Fainga'anuku (Crusaders), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)

Scrum Half - Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)

Fly Half - Ben Donaldson (Western Force)

Wingers - Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)

Centres - Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)

Fullback - Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)

Interesting to say the least.

Some obvious crimes have been committed in this team, so let’s have another go shall we.

The ACTUAL team of the year (selected by me using my brain):

1. Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)

Deserves his place in the official team of the year.  Has been in career-best form for the Hurricanes and should be rewarded with an All Blacks jersey when the squad’s named on Monday.

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs)

Enjoying an absolute monster season and also a rightful selection in the official team of the year. Loves scoring a try and is putting the heat on Codie Taylor for the number two jersey in the All Blacks.

3. Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)

This has been a breakout season for the 140kg tighthead prop who is keeping All Blacks powerhouse Tyrel Lomax on the bench.  The official team of the year named two loose-head props.  Dumb.

4. Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)

An absolute weapon who is standing tall as the number one All Blacks lock. He’s an 80 minute man with no obvious weakness, winning lineouts, making tackles, scoring tries, and not giving away penalties.

5. Warner Dearns (Hurricanes)

Perhaps the biggest omission from the official team of the year. Anyone who’s watched any Super Rugby this season knows Dearns is easily the best lock in the competition. What a shame he plays for Japan and not the All Blacks.

6. Devan Flanders (Hurricanes)

Hasn’t played for a few weeks due to concussion but it shouldn’t be forgotten how dominant he was on the blindside flank before that. The drums were beating loudly for an All Blacks call-up, but he’s heading overseas.  What a pity.

7. Anton Segner (Blues)

The German-born loosie has come of age this season and deserves his place in the official team of the year. In a Blues pack that wasn’t very dominant, he was a bright spark on both sides of the ball and could be an All Blacks bolter.

8. Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)

Criminally underrated and should be the starting number eight for the All Blacks. Doesn’t look like he’s that big but plays well above his weight. Workrate is through the roof.

9. Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)

We all know how good this guy is and for him not to be in the official team of the year is an absolute disgrace. Perhaps the most influential player in the competition alongside the next guy I’m about to name.

10. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

A tough call between D Mac and Ruben Love.  McKenzie is the main man for the Chiefs though and when he plays well, they inevitably win. Often criticised for not being able to control a game for the All Blacks in the ten jersey, his game management has been second-to-none this season.

11. Fehi Fineanganofo (Hurricanes)

You’d think the leading try-scorer would be in the official team of the year. He wasn’t. 16 tries. Enough said.

12. Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)

They got this one right at least. A deserved Super Rugby player of the year. Tupaea was on fire last year and carried that form into this season right from the start. He’s a weapon on attack, incredible over the ball, and puts on some big shots on defence. Has to start in the midfield for the All Blacks.

13. Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

He’s gone under the radar a bit this year and probably hasn’t been as good as he was in 2025 but is still the best 13 in the competition. Big workrate, loves a tough carry, and solid on defence. The glue in a superstar backline.

14. Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)

A bit harsh on Josh Moorby perhaps but the Highlanders star was a shoo-in for the All Blacks before rupturing his Achilles. What terrible luck the 23 year-old’s had. Hopefully he can comeback just as good for next year’s World Cup.

15. Will Jordan (Crusaders)

Just look at their results when he wasn’t playing. When he suffered a calf strain and was ruled out for the season, that was the end of the Crusaders’ title chances. It’s often said in professional work places that no one’s irreplaceable.  This guy is.

So my team includes 8 Hurricanes, 4 Chiefs, and 1 each from the Blues, Crusaders, and Highlanders.

I think justice has been served.