Chiefs player ratings vs Hurricanes | 2026 Super Rugby Pacific grand final

The Chiefs were blown off the park in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific final, with a historically effective Hurricanes attack tearing the visitors apart at the seams while the other side of the scoreboard didn’t budge for 74 minutes.

Wellington’s reputation as ‘The Windy City’ certainly wasn’t harmed in the making of the match, but 34,500 fans braved the howling conditions for the first title fight in the city for 10 years. There were plenty of cowbells and Chiefs jerseys to be found, with fans making the voyage south from Waikato in their droves.

The Chiefs, however, were caught in a storm of the Hurricanes’ making at Hnry Stadium, falling behind by 29 points at the half before things went from bad to worse in the second.

With the final whistle, a devastating 5-60 loss was registered.

Here’s how the Chiefs rated.

1. Ollie Norris – 5

Certainly one of the Chiefs’ better performers, providing good physicality in the collision on both sides of the ball and had the steadier side of the scrum. Was leading the game in tackles completed when he left the field.

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7

The hooker was comfortably best on park for the visitors. Taukei’aho was an absolute cheat code for post-contact metres, with 10 carries for 30 metres in the opening half. The 43-cap All Black handled the game’s physicality superbly and didn’t lack accuracy in his involvements.

3. Sione Ahio – 3

The prop found himself in some unfortunate positions defensively and fell off two costly tackles when chasing the Canes’ backs. Won a breakdown penalty in the 17th minute and held his ground in the scrum, but struggled to keep his feet. Off after 22 minutes.

4. Josh Lord – 2

The All Black was lacking physicality in the collision and breakdown, looking outmuscled by the Hurricanes pack and generally tentative around the tight work. Had some better moments when able to show some agility in wider channels defensively, but didn’t contribute winning play for the visitors. Completed plenty of tackles, though.

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 4

The lock had some shifty moments with the ball in hand, finding weak shoulders, but his handling lacked accuracy, and the Chiefs’ lineout operated at a dismal 25 per cent for the opening hour before some late wins lifted it to 57 per cent.

Points Flow Chart

Hurricanes win +55

Time in lead

75

Mins in lead

0

93%

% Of Game In Lead

0%

47%

Possession Last 10 min

53%

7

Points Last 10 min

5

6. Samipeni Finau – 5

The flanker had some classy moments, stealing the first lineout of the game and winning a breakdown steal early, before making a couple of the Chiefs’ best runs of the night. Missed the most tackles of any forward in the contest.

7. Luke Jacobson – 5

The captain was in doubt for the final due to illness, but came in as his side’s most lively character. Was throwing himself into the breakdown, winning a steal early. However, with four consecutive final losses, questions must be asked of the leadership in the Chiefs’ environment. Penalised twice.

8. Simon Parker – 4

Parker remains an unmovable object, even in a heavy defeat. He was moving bodies around the ruck well, but tasked with generating go-forward, he wasn’t up to the task. Just seven carries in the match, but completed 19 tackles.

9. Cortez Ratima – 3

The halfback was unfortunately in the middle of some of the Chiefs’ worst plays early, including having his first kick charged, and then knocking the ball on when putting the ball into the scrum. Couldn’t generate go-forward or adapt to the conditions the way his opponents did.

10. Damian McKenzie – 2

Well, conditions couldn’t have been much more challenging in the opening 40 minutes for McKenzie, but it’s also fair to say he found no solution to his problems.

The 10’s first kick of the night found touch, but his third kick went backwards, he then had a knock-on, and had his next clearance charged. He was unlucky not to execute a clever quick restart, which ultimately was grounded in-goal. He missed his next kick for touch, had another restart grounded in-goal, then made a half-break but threw the ball to the defence, and he had one more restart go backwards and out before the first half could come to an end.

Certainly looked more comfortable with the wind behind him in the second half, but the damage was done. Missed a game-high eight tackles and equalled that tally in turnovers.

The Chiefs needed their stars to set the tone, not be rendered unserviceable by the conditions.

11. Kyren Taumoefolau – 3

had one or two classy touches but had his wing exposed numerous times by a Hurricanes attack with a clear intent on doing so.

12. Quinn Tupaea – 4

Made some gain line carries, but the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year couldn’t deliver the X-factor his side desperately needed. Still, one of his side’s best defenders.

13. Kyle Brown – 2

The rookie wasn’t intimidated by the challenge, looking confident early, but had a big responsibility defensively and comfortably fell short of the mark. Had just two carries.

14. Leroy Carter – 4

The All Black’s handling lacked accuracy, and he fell off seven tackles. Still, had some of the Chiefs’ best runs, beating five defenders and running for the third-most metres in the match.

15. Liam Coombes-Fabling – 3

Was beaten for Josh Moorby’s first try of the night, made the tackles required of him thereafter in the first half. Missed some assignments out wide in the second half when in the wing position, as was the case for all Chiefs outside backs throughout the contest.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.3

15

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1

5

Entries

Reserves

16.  Brodie McAlister – 3

17. Jared Proffit – 3

18. George Dyer – 5

On early and hit the breakdown with some venom, working hard around the park. Penalised a few times at scrum time.

19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6

Had a good showing off the bench, and was awarded the Chiefs’ only try of the game.

20. Kaylum Boshier – 3

21. Xavier Roe – 3

22. Josh Jacomb – 3

Struggled with the wind. Tried to generate some momentum for his side but failed to do so.

23. Reon Paul – 3