Hurricanes three key contributors shy of top team for Brumbies showdown

The Hurricanes are three key contributors shy of their top team that has rampaged through Super Rugby Pacific in 2026 as they prepare to run down a familiar foe in the first round of the playoffs.

Try-scoring phenom Fehi Fineanganofo is one of the absent parties vs the Brumbies, joined by All Blacks XV pair Devan Flanders and Siale Lauaki, all of whom are listed with one-week recovery timelines. The club’s depth has absorbed the losses well, though, with Ngane Punivai, Brad Shields, and Pouri Rakete-Stones all stepping up in the matchday 23.

Just six of the starters from last week’s 47-14 loss to the Crusaders have retained their places in the XV: Xavier Numia, Shields, Cam Roigard, Kini Naholo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin, although the latter two have been reshuffled to take the right wing and fullback roles, respectively.

Joining last week’s group, there are seven All Blacks taking their places across the run-on side, while Tyrel Lomax drops to the bench after just 74 minutes of game time this season.

Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi join Numia up front, with Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai joining Shields in the loose forwards. Ruben Love returns to partner Roigard in the halves, with Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor coming back in the midfield.

“It’s an exciting week. The boys are really looking forward to welcoming the Brumbies to Wellington for a Qualifying Final,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“It’s great to have such a strong squad available at this time of the year, with most of the squad fit and available to select from.

“We’re welcoming back our captains Dupes and Jordie, which gives us leadership in playoff rugby. With so much of our squad having shared experiences over the last few years of the knockout stages, it gives us real confidence around our preparation and how we play.

“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for the Brumbies. They’re a high-quality team that can always get to the playoffs, and we’ve got recent history in knockout games with them, so we understand the challenge that’s coming from them.

“We’ve played them under the roof in Christchurch during Super Round. I’m sure it’s going to be different conditions and a different game, but one we really can’t wait for on Friday night.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

39

23

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

Hurricanes team to play the Brumbies

1. Xavier Numia (89)
2. Asafo Aumua (87)
3. Pasilio Tosi (50)
4. Caleb Delany (50)
5. Warner Dearns (12)
6. Brad Shields (140)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (103) – co-captain
8. Peter Lakai (48)
9. Cam Roigard (58)
10. Ruben Love (52)
11. Kini Naholo (36)
12. Jordie Barrett (122) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (80)
14. Josh Moorby (51)
15. Callum Harkin (22)

Reserves

16. Raymond Tuputupu (23)
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (60)
18. Tyrel Lomax (72)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (90)
20. Brayden Iose (64)
21. Ereatara Enari (24)
22. Jone Rova (13)
23. Ngane Punivai (17)

Injury list

Siale Lauaki (hamstring): 1 week
Devan Flanders (concussion): 1 week
Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring): 1 week
Drew Wild (shoulder): 1 week
Jai Tamati (knee): TBC
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Brett Cameron (knee): Season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): Season