Du’Plessis Kirifi’s take on where this Hurricanes side ranks all-time

Following the Hurricanes’ 60-5 Super Rugby Pacific grand final victory over the Chiefs, Du’Plessis Kirifi was asked whether this team is the best Hurricanes outfit of all time.

It was all one-way traffic on Saturday evening at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, where the Chiefs fell to their fourth-straight Super Rugby Pacific final defeat.

The Hurricanes headed into the sheds leading 29-0, and despite the swirling wind proving to be a handful, the Hurricanes stormed home to earn the competition’s largest grand final victory.

The 2026 final triumph was the franchise’s first since 2016, when they overcame the Lions, 20-3, in Wellington in front of a packed crowd.

Hurricanes assistant coach Cory Jane and loose-forward Brad Shields were the only two to have featured in that final of the current group, but any finals inexperience didn’t hinder their scintillating performance.

Kirifi, who has played 106 times for the Hurricanes over seven seasons, responded to a claim that the 2026 team could be the club’s greatest.

“It’s not really for us to decide, that one. But we’re definitely the best in the comp this year,” Kirifi told media in Wellington.

“It has (been incredible). The hard work and commitment we’ve put in to be better on both sides of the ball.

“I feel like that was a very hard-earned championship – not just this season but for a few seasons now. We deserved that one after the way we went about our work. Just proud.”

The Hurricanes co-captain pinpointed Jane as someone who’s been influential this season, even though it will be their attack that will make all the headlines.

“I guess, historically, the Hurricanes have always been able to score tries, but this year, we’ve shown that we can win games with our shoulders, which is extremely pleasing, because it takes a lot of hard work to get your team into a position where your defence is not just a strength but a weapon.

“A lot of our game has been built on the back of pressure, and opportunities created by defending well.

“Which comes back to our amazing coaches, with amazing detail; Cory Jane’s a wizard. This is a massive nod to him.”

Former All Black and Hurricanes fullback Christian Cullen believes that this is the best side in the franchise’s history.

“Well, I’ll say this is the greatest Hurricanes team, since 30 years ago, it’s very hard to compare eras, and I know the Crusaders have won a lot of titles, but I think this team can they be the most dominant team in Super Rugby that you’ve seen in 30 years,” Cullen said on Sky Sport after the final whistle.

“I mean, I know I’m pretty one-eyed, but I’ve never seen anything like it.”