Hurricanes vs Highlanders: Mark Tele'a's successor, Highlanders heartbreak

A surging Hurricanes team hosted a desperate Highlanders outfit on the brink of playoff elimination to kick off round 14.

Some superb rugby cinema played out for the Wellington crowd, with the Highlanders playing some of their best rugby of the season as bodies dropped early in a physical contest.

It was a game that took 82 minutes to decide, but two resilient teams were ultimately separated by a game-winning try from Cam Roigard.

Here are some takeaways from the contest.

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Avg. Points Scored

1.4

15

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Avg. Points Scored

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Mark Tele’a’s successor

No one beats tackles quite like Mark Tele’a. The All Black finisher leaves quite a hole in the team’s game-breaking threats as he departs New Zealand Rugby for Japan.

While there is no like-for-like replacement for the slippery star, there is Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

A fullback by trade who has played plenty of wing for Taranaki, the Highlanders star would bring superb footwork and a playmaking skillset to the All Blacks‘ right edge.

With increasing emphasis on wingers being able to kick the ball, the 23-year-old’s experience at 15 would be a superb asset at the next level, offering more game-management ability than his counterparts across New Zealand.

In Friday’s contest, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was a constant threat thanks to electric footwork and attacking instincts. He placed the cross-field kick that led to Tanielu Tele’a’s break, and was on hand seconds later to deliver the try assist after chasing hard to stay in the play.

The All Blacks need players who can make something out of nothing, and in the absence of a talent like Tele’a, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is a superb and possibly leading option.

Highlanders’ midfield bully Hurricanes

Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele’a, two of Super Rugby’s most punishing ball-runners, were at the peak of their powers on Friday in the capital.

Outside of Tavatavanawai’s yellow card, the midfield pair barely put a foot wrong in the opening 40 minutes. Tele’a made nine carries for 47 metres, while Tavatavanawai stole two balls at the breakdown.

Riley Higgins of the Hurricanes was forced to make double-digit tackles in the first half alone, to his credit, completing all but one effort, but losing a few metres in the contact each time.

Defensively, both Tavatavanawai and Tele’a made some damaging rib-ticklers, rushing up to take away their opponents’ breathing room.

By the game’s end, the numbers looked even more impressive. The No. 12 in particular, throughout all 82 minutes, gave All Black selectors plenty to think about.

Welcome back, Brett Cameron

It took just seven months for one-time All Black Brett Cameron to return from an ACL reconstruction, and what a return it was.

Having led the Hurricanes to the top seed in 2024, Cameron hit the ground running in his 2025 debut, making an immediate impact on the flow of his side’s attack.

Swift distribution contributed to line breaks and showed how this team can benefit from a steady hand at 10.

Ruben Love did a fine job at first receiver and crucially nailed his kicks, coming up with two linebreaks and a try assist from his 14 carries. The contrast was quite clear with Cameron’s pass-first attack and Love’s eagerness to attack the line, making next week’s team naming an interesting choice for coach Clark Laidlaw.

Territory

24%

17%

24%

34%

58%

Territory

41%

Highlanders heartbreak

The Hurricanes own comfortably the best dominant carry rate in Super Rugby, and with their recent form, they posed a serious threat to the visitors. But, with their backs well and truly against the wall, the Highlanders put in their most physical showing of the year.

The Highlanders’ defence was outstanding in containing some lethal attacking threats, led by influential lock Fabian Holland with 22 tackles.

It was a display of grit that projects incredibly well for the future of Jamie Joseph’s side, but in a loss that all but condemns the team to a bottom-five finish.

For a young team to put in this kind of performance under season-defining pressure speaks to the character of the athletes, but equally, the Hurricanes rose to the moment.

Ruben Love took his chance and made a screamer of a linebreak with just minutes left to play and down three points, and after spoiling what looked to be their final scoring chance moments later, Cam Roigard amended his mistake with a game-winning dive for the line.

There was plenty of heart in this Highlanders’ performance, you couldn’t help but feel for them after the final whistle.

The southerners now face the Crusaders and Chiefs to end the round-robin, trailing the sixth seed by nine competition points at the night’s end.