‘Hell of an athlete’: Warner Dearns denies Brumbies with try-saver

Coach Clark Laidlaw has described star second-rower Warner Dearns as “a hell of an athlete” after the Hurricanes claimed a 45-12 win over the ACT Brumbies, with the Brave Blossoms skipper producing a remarkable try-saver in Christchurch.

Fehi Fineanganofo stole the show with a four-try haul in the statement Super Round result for the ladder-leaders, who have bounced back after last weekend’s extra-time defeat to New Zealand rivals the Chiefs.

Fineanganofo showcased some individual brilliance to score his fourth of the night around the one-hour mark, but the Brumbies looked to strike back just six minutes later. Lachlan Shaw sent Toby Macpherson through a gap, who had seemingly done enough to power over.

But replays told a different story, with Dearns showing some desperation in defence, forcing a knock-on just above the line. While the Canes held a 28 point lead at the time, Laidlaw explained post-match why the try-saver was a game-defining moment.

“There’s definitely areas of the game we’re chipping away with him but his athleticism, his movement around the field, his defensive lineout work. But to track back and get a hand in there, I feel like the game might have been in the balance still,” Laidlaw told reporters.

“Weren’t getting carried away at half-time, did they kick it deal four times in the first half? We’re let off the hook really. We talked about that at half-time, we weren’t taking anything for granted.

“If they’d scored there, it could become like a real arm-wrestle I guess.

“He’s a hell of an athlete. He’s a great addition to the squad. [It’d be] nice to get him to stay too if we can get Fehi [Fineanganofo]. They’re good additions, he’s a great addition to the team.”

Fineanganofo is the top try-scorer in 2026 Super Rugby Pacific and is only a couple five-pointers off the all-time record. The Hurricanes still have five more matches left in the round-robin, starting with a derby against the Crusaders in Wellington this Friday.

After completing a first-half hat-trick, Fineanganofo’s fourth five-pointer was arguably the most impressive of the lot. The 23-year-old beat Tane Edmed in a footrace for the loose ball, before regathering at full pace.

Fineanganofo held the ball up in one hand towards the crowd before forward-rolling over to cap off the highlight-reel moment. These efforts have seen Fineanganofo’s season tally increase to 14 tries in just nine appearances.

“He’s pretty devastating when he gets the ball in hand and get a half opportunity,” Laidlaw said.

“He got a little bit of a hurry up if I’m being honest at half-time, felt like his off the ball stuff wasn’t where it needs to be. He responded really well in the second half.

“[Assistant coach Cory Jane] and the backs coaches have done an awesome job with him. He’s only second year Super Rugby but he’s a handful when he gets space and he gets a one-on-one.

“It’d be nice to keep him here, wouldn’t it? For the competition, forget higher honours and stuff, for us and for the competition he’s genuine X-factor. He’s a little highlights reel… he’s only 23, his best rugby’s ahead of him.”