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Hurricanes player ratings vs Blues | 2026 Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals
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The Hurricanes are one win away from their first Super Rugby title since 2016, booking their place in the 2026 final against the Chiefs next week after beating the Blues, 57-21.
Clark Laidlaw’s side didn’t have it all their way, as the Blues contained the Hurricanes’ dangerous attack during the first half.
But as the game progressed, Laidlaw’s leaders, including Cameron Roigard, Jordie Barrett, and Asafo Aumua, stepped up and took the game away from the Auckland-based franchise.
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Hnry Stadium in Wellington will play host to next weekend’s final, at 7:05pm NZT, between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.
- Xavier Numia – 8.5
The physical prop counter-rucked strongly from the get-go and was an absolute wrecking ball with ball in hand. Powered past two Blues defenders to score a five-pointer under the posts in the 31st minute, showcasing how destructive and motivated he is in 2026.
Outplayed his opposite number, on a night where his All Blacks chances continue to grow. Off in the 56th minute with seven carries.
- Asafo Aumua – 9
Massive man-of-the-match performance from the 20-Test All Black. Aumua wasn’t afraid to get involved in the tough stuff early, battling with Blues players at breakdown time.
The Hurricanes hooker was caught ball-watching when Patrick Tuipulotu strolled in, but showcased his game-breaking ball-carrying ability to score a try early in the second half.
Received a basketball-like pass with about 20 meters to the line, taking numerous Blues defenders with him to dot down in the corner. Strong at set piece, too, as the lineout was at 100 per cent accuracy while he was on the field.
- Pasilio Tosi – 8
Started the contest aggressively at the breakdown, putting the Blues forwards under all sorts of pressure. Tosi’s power in the tackle was evident, stopping any Blues go-forward in and around the ruck.
Got one over Ofa Tu’ungafasi at scrum time, and was extremely busy around the paddock, making a game-high ten tackles during the first half. Off at 51 minutes after a strong performance.
- Caleb Delany – 6
One of the more underrated Hurricanes players in 2026 earned his side a penalty at breakdown time, which led to Du’Plessis Kirifi’s 13th-minute try. Delany was used as a battering ram five times during the first half, and was replaced by Isaia Walker-Leawere at halftime.
- Warner Dearns – 7.5
Arguably the best lock in Super Rugby Pacific in 2026 was up against two All Blacks in Sam Darry and Patrick Tuipulotu, and had a busy first 40 minutes, making seven tackles.
Dearns, like he has done all season, was disruptive at lineout time and provided the Hurricanes with a tall target from their own set piece. Finished with nine tackles and eight carries.
- Brad Shields – 6
Despite Braydon Iose being ready to go on the bench, Shields earned his place in the starting lineup for the semi-final against the Blues. Shields was influential and busy around the park in his 57-minute shift, but may not have done enough to keep his starting spot after Iose’s 30-minute cameo.
The Hurricanes co-captain began the contest brilliantly. Carried hard during the opening minutes before being rewarded with a rolling maul try. Won an important breakdown turnover after a Hoskins Sotutu carry. Started the second half as he did the first, providing the assist to Josh Moorby with a soft-hands tip pass.
Kirifi’s ever-present nature at the breakdown tested both the Blues and referee Ben O’Keeffe, where he won one turnover, but on another night, he may have had more.
The No.7’s non-stop work rate was evident in the semi-final, making twelve tackles and ten carries in a leader-like 80-minute performance in Wellington.
- Peter Lakai – 7.5
Busy and physical as ever, but wasn’t rewarded for a couple of close calls at breakdown time on his 50th appearance. Lakai’s breakdown work both defensively and when the Hurricanes had the ball, helped create the fluid attack Laidlaw’s side showcased in the second half.
Could have scored a milestone try, but Iose’s pass was slightly behind him. One lineout steal to his name, pouring more misery on an under-pressure Blues lineout.
- Cam Roigard – 8.5
One of the Hurricanes’ best on the night. Roigard was taken out in the air by Beauden Barrett during the opening two minutes, but used the broken Blues defence to his advantage, taking a quick tap before charging down the field, which led to the Hurricanes’ first try.
The All Blacks halfback was at his usual sniping best, making break after break close to the ruck. Did less running in the second half with a clear intent to set up his teammates, but a try fell into his hands in the 42nd minute.
- Ruben Love – 5
Missed a near sideline conversion early before throwing a pass aimed at Jordie Barrett to the ground, and took a while to get into the contest with ball in hand. One simple catch-and-pass error during the opening 25 minutes, and the first-five left the contest without featuring as much as he would’ve liked. Off in the 51st minute.
The electric Hurricanes winger was kept incredibly quiet during the first half in his return from a hamstring injury, as the Blues headed into the sheds well in the contest. His second half was much of the same, but Laidlaw will be most pleased with the fact that the 24-year-old got through the semi-final injury-free.
- Jordie Barrett – 8
Barrett went in untouched for their first try of the game, but like many of the other Hurricanes backs, was used as a distributor to Ruben Love at the front of a pod in midfield. Carried strongly throughout the first 40 minutes, with six to his name as the Hurricanes headed into the sheds with a five-point lead.
Not a flashy performance, but one that was vitally important as the Hurricanes were forced to work for the second-half chocolates. Inch-perfect cross-kick to Naholo prior to Aumua’s try, and his all-around fundamental skills changed the game in the second half. Twelve tackles and a couple of nice conversions in the second half.
- Billy Proctor – 7
Didn’t have the same time and space he had against the Brumbies, struggling to have a direct impact on the game as the Blues fronted early. Contributed effectively to the Hurricanes’ spree of tries in the second half, leading the game in carries with 13 as he left the field with 18 minutes to play.
May have picked up a slight shoulder niggle, holding it prior to leaving the field.
- Josh Moorby – 8.5
Moorby was probing early with ball in hand, but couldn’t break a resolute Blues defence. Rewarded with a try shortly after halftime, running a great line through the Blues defence. Nearly created another Hurricanes try moments later, but couldn’t link up with his teammate.
Moorby notched up his 15th try of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign as the final whistle neared, highlighting, once again, his clinical finishing ability.
- Callum Harkin – 7
Looked lively during the Hurricanes’ first try of the semi-final, but followed that with a couple of poor decisions with both the boot and with his hands. Grew into the contest, helping the Hurricanes build phases at second receiver.
Much improved second-half from the 27-year-old, where his distribution opened up opportunities for his wingers.
Reserves
- Raymond Tuputupu – 5
The reserve hooker failed to complete his first lineout throw, as Torian Barnes picked it off. Second throw was much of the same.
- Siale Lauaki – 5
Pinged once for an early shove after coming on late in the second half.
- Tyrel Lomax – 6
On at 51 minutes and didn’t have much to do. Helped keep the scrum on point during the second half.
Walker-Leawere had a clear intent from the beginning of his stint to speed up the game. Got his arms free for Harkin in the 41st minute, which eventually led to Roigard’s lead extending try. Instinctive turnover at the breakdown in their own 22, kick-starting a Hurricanes counter-attack.
- Brayden Iose – 7.5
Iose provided some much-needed impact for the Hurricanes, replacing Shields, often finding himself in open space with ball in hand. It wouldn’t surprise many to see the Manawatu-based loose-forward in the starting lineup next week against the Chiefs.
- Ere Enari – 8
The replacement No.9 made immediate impact, crossing under the posts to put the game out of reach for the Blues. Played an important hand in Naholo’s try, linking up with his teammates back on the inside.
- Jone Rova – 7
On with ten minutes to play, throwing an audacious out-the-back pass that set up Moorby’s second.
- Kini Naholo – 8
First touch was a beautifully executed try-assist to Aumua, off a Barrett cross-kick. The replacement winger was unlucky not to have a couple of tries on the night, but scored arguably the most impressive, which was kick-started by his brutal carry inside their half.
Naholo then linked up with Iose, before putting the icing on the cake in the corner.
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