Hurricanes player ratings vs Chiefs | 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final

The Hurricanes have brought an end to their decade-long title drought, claiming the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific crown with a record-breaking 60-5 win over the Chiefs. Ruben Love was rewarded with Player of the Final honours after the dominant victory at Hnry Stadium.

Josh Moorby danced around some Chiefs defenders to score the opener just six minutes into the Grand Final, which was the start of a point-scoring avalanche from the home side, who led 29-0 at the break.

The Hurricanes ran in nine tries to one, with Moorby, Love and Fehi Fineanganofo among the try-scorers. Here’s how the Hurricanes players rated on an unforgettable title-winning night in the nation’s capital.

1. Xavier Numia – 8/10

Numia is ready for the All Blacks. The front-rower was named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year and was again able to deliver for the Canes, contributing to a dominant set-piece and scrum. Numia did his job in both attack and defence as well, as the home side ran away with a record-breaking victory.

2. Asafo Aumua – 8.5

Aumua looked like a game-breaking threat every time he touched the ball, with the front-rower breaking tackles and running riot all night. It was a tough night conditions-wise but that didn’t stop Aumua from executing consistently at the set-piece, hitting most targets when throwing into the lineout.

3. Pasilio Tosi – 7

You could copy and paste what was said of teammate Xavier Numia and the Hurricanes scrum. Tosi did his job at the set-piece and did what was needed around the park, making eight tackles and six carries.

4. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 8

Benetton-bound lock Waler-Leawere just had one of his best performances in a Hurricanes jersey. The Maori All Blacks representative made a team-high 19 stops on the defensive side of the ball, carried the ball effectively when called upon, and contributed to a strong set-piece. One Walker-Leawere moment that stands out was a deep kick downfield late in the first half, with the ball ending up just shy of the Chiefs’ 22-metre line.

5. Warner Dearns – 8

Brave Blossoms captain Dearns was arguably the best lock in Super Rugby Pacific during the 2026 season and now the second-rower has a champions medal to show for those standout efforts. Dearns charged a Damian McKenzie kick down early, stole a Chiefs lineout 20 minutes into the contest and was generally able to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

6. Devan Flanders – 8

Flanders was almost able to make an immediate impact in the decider but was dragged down just shy of the try line about five minutes in. But then, in the very next phase, Josh Moorby danced around some defenders to score the opening points. Flanders touched down for a five-pointer later on though, running through a gap and all the way to the house for a try during the second half. The blindside flanker recorded 11 carries and the same number of tackles.

7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7.5

Kirifi has helped lead the Hurricanes to a drought-breaking Super Rugby Pacific title, with the co-captain putting in an 80-minute shift at the Cake Tin. The openside flanker did the jersey justice in both attack and defence, finishing with eight carries and in double digits for tackles completed.

8. Peter Lakai – 8

Lakai and Fehi Fineanganofo shared top spot on the charts for carries, running the ball 15 times for more than 55 metres. The No. 8 made a particularly impressive break during the second term, in the lead-up to Ruben Love’s second try. In defence, Lakai ran back to pick off a Samipeni Finau pass 12 minutes in, as the Chiefs looked to bounce back after conceding some early points.

9. Cam Roigard – 9

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie must have been incredibly happy with what he saw from Roigard in the final. It was an expert performance from the halfback, who adapted well to the challenging conditions. Roigard helped the Canes control the game with an effective kicking game that was at times made unpredictable by the wind, and stood out with sharp decision-making around the park.

Roigard set the tone early with a brilliant cut-out pass for Josh Moorby, making something from nothing to assist the opening score. The 25-year-old didn’t run the ball much himself but didn’t have to really, instead providing quality ball to a Canes team that ran riot from start to finish.

10. Ruben Love – 9

There is absolutely no doubt that Love is ready to take over as a regular first-choice 10 for the All Blacks. That’s one takeaway from the Grand Final and the season as a whole, with the playmaker leading the Canes’ charge to a drought-breaking title.

Love scored two tries, including a remarkable somersault finish in the corner during the second half – the type of effort that would be considered incredible from an athletic winger, let alone a first five-eighth.

The No. 10 set up Fehi Fineanganofo for a record-equalling score during the first term and played a role in multiple other tries. Another moment that stands out was a monstrous 60-metre drop out in the 31^st minute.

11. Fehi Fineanganofo – 8

Fineanganofo was fantastic all season and has now been rewarded with some Super Rugby Pacific silverware to show for those efforts. The Newcastle-bound winger crossed for a record-equalling try during the first half and finished with a game-high 15 carries for almost 100 running metres on the night.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8.5 

10 years on from Beauden Barrett’s Player of the Final efforts at the same venue, younger brother Jordie has helped the Hurricanes win their second-ever title. Barrett finished with five line breaks, crashed over for a try midway through the second term and recorded one try assist during the dominant Hurricanes display.

13. Billy Proctor – 7.5

You can’t really fault the efforts of any Hurricanes player and Proctor is no exception to that rule, with the outside centre linking up well with other players during a night full of highlight plays for the champions. Proctor ran the ball 10 times, made one line break and stepped up with the third-most tackles completed of any Canes player.

14. Josh Moorby – 9

If there’s going to be a genuine bolter in the All Blacks squad for the July internationals, then it should be Moorby. Moorby was one of the best on ground during the big dance, having scored two tries and playing a part in some others as well. The right winger was a constant threat along the right edge, clocking more than 150 running metres and was certainly a candidate for Player of the Final honours.

15. Callum Harkin – 8.5

It was a dream end to the season for the Hurricanes, with Harkin contributing to the record-breaking triumph with an impressive performance. Harkin recorded an early try assist for Fineanganofo and stepped up on the other side of the ball as well, holding a Chiefs player up over the line around the 30-minute mark. The fullback sent backrower Devan Flanders away to score a five-pointer during the second 40, delivering an effective short ball close to the line.

Replacements

16. Jacob Devery – 7
17. Siale Lauaki – 7
18. Tyrel Lomax – 8
19. Brad Shields – 7.5
20. Brayden Iose – 7.5
21. Ere Enari – 7
22. Jone Rova – 8
23. Kini Naholo – 7.5