Hurricanes end decade-long wait with resounding 55-point final win over Chiefs

The Hurricanes are Super Rugby Pacific champions for the first time in a decade, and have done it in emphatic style.

Clark Laidlaw’s side have returned to the summit at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, as they did back in 2016, this time with a scintillating, 60-5 triumph over the Chiefs in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific final.

It was a demolition job of the Hamilton-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise, who have now lost their fourth-straight final, and first under Jono Gibbes as head coach.

The table-topping Hurricanes used the strong, gusty, and difficult wind to their advantage during the first 40 minutes, heading into the sheds leading 29-0 at the break. But their second-half performance, against the wind, was arguably more impressive, proving unstoppable in their first final in ten years.

All Blacks first-five Damian McKenzie had an error-ridden first 40 minutes, struggling to deal with over 60km per hour winds. His opposite, Ruben Love, had a night to remember, adding 20 points for the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes lock Warner Dearns charged down Cortez Ratima’s first box kick of the game, but knocked it on as he tried to regather.

The Chiefs then struggled to get out of their own end, as multiple McKenzie clearing kicks were deflected.

It was the Hurricanes who struck first in the 2026 final, through a clinical Josh Moorby finish in the corner.

Cameron Roigard saw the space on the right-hand touchline, where Moorby was in space with only one covering Chiefs defender in sight. Moorby collected the skip-pass, cut inside, and powered his way over the line to score the game’s first five-pointer.

Hurricanes first-five Ruben Love failed to add the extras, with the wind playing a huge part in his seventh-minute conversion attempt.

Chiefs No.6 Samipeni Finau provided the Chiefs with two strong moments of play following the Hurricanes’ first try of the game. The All Black won a crucial breakdown turnover before storming through a small gap in the Hurricanes’ defence minutes later.

Love’s next involvement in the match was off the boot, where his grubber-kick fell into the running line of Roigard. The halfback hacked it ahead, and despite the fortuitous bounce, Love regained possession of the ball, stepped off his right foot past Liam Coombes-Fabling to go in under the posts.

This time his conversion attempt was right out in front, extending the home side’s first half lead to 12-0 after 14 minutes.

Gibbes’ Chiefs just couldn’t get a hold of the ball inside the Hurricanes’ half, and were made to pay yet again for an unforced error.

Ratima couldn’t retrieve the ball out of a midfield scrum, gifting the ball back to the Hurricanes. The home side took advantage of the opportunity, as Fehi Fineanganofo crossed in the corner to score a record-breaking 16th try of the season.

The Hurricanes’ first-five nailed the conversion, giving the home side a 19-0 lead after 24 minutes.

For the first time in the contest, the Chiefs looked threatening close to the line with their carries, going close through Ollie Norris. Referee Nic Berry ruled Norris to be held up by Harkin.

Just as the half entered its final stages, the Hurricanes used their attacking shape to break the Chiefs’ defence down the left edge once again. Love, Jordie Barrett, and Billy Proctor were all involved before Aumua carried brutally towards the line.

Barrett was close, but the All Black midfielder smartly shifted the ball to Harkin, who was there in support. Harkin stepped past one, diving under the posts to pour more first-half misery on the Chiefs.

It went from bad to worse for the away side on the stroke of halftime, giving away a scrum penalty, which Love slotted from 50m out.

HT: 29-0 to the Hurricanes.

The second half started the way the first ended, with the Hurricanes on the front foot.

For the Hurricanes, it was business as usual despite the wind heavily in their face, taking their first opportunity in the second forty minutes.

Moorby picked up the ball with Tupaea in front of him, before backing himself to beat the midfielder, and stormed in to score his second of the evening. Love, incredibly, nailed the conversion straight down the middle, extending the lead to 36-0.

Player Line Breaks

1

Josh Moorby

5

2

Jordie Barrett

4

3

Fehi Fineanganofo

3

Flanders couldn’t believe how much space he was in, diving from three meters out to the delight of Hnry Stadium’s full crowd. Love’s conversion hit the upright, as the score remained at 41-0.

The Hurricanes weren’t done yet. A Roigard grubber kick put McKenzie under pressure, fumbling the ball and giving away a penalty on his line. The Hurricanes took the quick tap, as Barrett was the next to cross after a subtle Dearns offload. Adding the extras was no problem for Love, taking the lead to 48-0.

To top off a near-perfect performance in the No.10 jersey, Love added a try of his own, the best of the night, in the 67th minute. Lakai used his pace to pierce through a gap, before Isaia Walker-Leawere carried hard.

The lock shifted it to Brad Shields, who gave it to Love, before an outrageous dive and put down in the corner saw the Hurricanes hit 53 points.

For the icing on the cake, it was Jone Rova finishing close to the posts after yet another Moorby break.

FT: 60-5 to the Hurricanes.