Du'Plessis Kirifi weighs in on Hurricanes’ inexperience ahead of final

The Hurricanes have stormed their way into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific as the form team in the competition, scoring over 56 points in both of the last two playoff contests.

But as they head into their first chance at Super Rugby Pacific glory since 2016, they only have one player on their current roster who has featured in a final.

Brad Shields, one of their inspirational leaders, is the only player to have played in a Super Rugby Pacific final, starting the Hurricanes’ 2016 triumph over the Lions in the No.6 jersey.

Former All Black Cory Jane also started the final in Wellington on the right wing, and is currently the assistant coach and in charge of the defence under Clark Laidlaw.

When asked whether the finals inexperience will affect how the Hurricanes embrace grand final week, Kirifi admits it’s something they will have to think about.

“It’s a great question, for 99.999% of the group it’s a new feeling. I think we’ve got enough experience within the group,” Kirifi told media in Wellington.

“Brad has been there and done that, so we’ll definitely lean on him, but the experience is there for us to not get lost on the occasion.

“Enjoy, obviously, putting ourselves there tonight, but Monday we turn up, nothing changes, we start again, but I think it would be remiss of us to not acknowledge the magnitude of the week.

“It’s a grand final, so we’ll acknowledge it, but we’ll put it into place, and we’ll go about building our week like we have all year.”

Laidlaw explained that nothing will change in grand final week for the coaching staff, as they are extremely pleased with recent knockout results and how they set up the week.

“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. If it’s us versus us, then I’m not sure. Doesn’t matter to us if it’s the Blues, the Brumbies, or the Chiefs,” the Hurricanes head coach said.

“So our preparation will be to the same, they’re all good teams on the day, so to put 60 and put 50 on two good sides is highly motivating for something we can be really proud of, I guess.

“The reality starts sinking in quickly, your heads start switching to home final again, something that we can get really excited around and build a week around.

“But it’s about making sure you put the building blocks in is the best way to stay consistent, which will give you the consistency in your performance.”

Laidlaw was full of praise for co-captain and All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett, whose performance helped the Hurricanes pile on six tries to the Blues’ one in the second half.

“Du’Plessis talked about half time, Jordie was outstanding at half time, super calm, super clear, and even after the game, he’s talking to Jason Holland and I around what he was feeling.

“Because it’s easy for us in the coaching box and on a computer, isn’t it? But Jordie is able to describe what he was feeling in the first half and how we went about changing it.

“So yeah he’s an outstanding rugby player. We missed him last year, you know. You can feel the difference when you’re around him.”