'He's been magic': Hurricanes assistant identifies keys to strong start

The Hurricanes sit top of the table after seven rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season, equal on points with the Blues, having played one less game so far.

Clark Laidlaw’s side had a bye in round one of the competition, and are on their second bye this Easter weekend, before the likely top of the table clash in Wellington between the two leading sides.

The Hurricanes had another emphatic victory against the Queensland Reds last weekend, with winger Fehi Fineanganofo scoring another hat-trick, while keeping the fourth-placed Reds to only 14 points was impressive.

Mackintosh, who was the All Blacks XV forwards coach under Jamie Joseph in 2025, spoke to Millsy & Guy on Sport Nation, discussing how the season has played out so far in 2026.

With lots of discussion being had around rugby circles of late about the quality of the Hurricanes, Mackintosh was asked about what has helped the franchise start the season in electrifying form.

Mackintosh feels like the whole group, including the coaches, is in a “pretty good spot” and describes the influence that the Hurricanes’ head coach has had on the squad.

“He’s [Laidlaw] been magic for us, we’ve all been on a journey together, which is so cool, like he’s in his third or fourth season and he’s come from Sevens, and he often mentions how easy it was to pivot and move around that smaller group of 15 players and 10 management,” Mackintosh said on the topic of Laidlaw.

“And you move into our organisation with 52 players and 30 management, he’s massive for us in creating an environment and a culture that the boys take ownership of their own performance.

“They can be themselves. We have a little bit edge and growth and we have connections really important to us. And the standards and stuff that he’s brought into the Hurricanes, I’ve certainly just thrived as a coach under it.”

“We’re pretty lucky this year to have Alfie [Holland] back in the phrase who has added some just wonderful wisdom and bits of gold for us on our attacking side of the ball. We have Bryn Evans on the attacking side, and it just feels like we’re in a pretty good spot.

“We have challenging conversations. We challenge each other a lot. It’s not all fluffy butterflies. We get right into the nitty gritty around how we’re playing, selection and we sort of feel like we trust each other enough to do that, and at the moment, we’re in a good spot.”

The 41-year-old Hurricanes assistant explained how Laidlaw has made a huge sacrifice this season, as his family is still in Mount Maunganui.

“But we put that down to Clark. He works really hard and his young family are up in the Mount still, so he’s made a big sacrifice this season to be away from them so we know how much he cares about the club, and he’ll be away up in the Mount having a couple of gin and tonic’s by the pool.”