'I felt that from day one': Jordie Barrett on why 2026 Hurricanes are different

Jordie Barrett says the 2026 Hurricanes felt different from the day he returned to the club from his sabbatical season with Leinster, with the growth of the group evident ahead of what could be a title-drought-breaking season.

Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final also offers the visiting Chiefs a chance to break an even longer dry spell, with first-season head coach Jono Gibbes hoping to go one further than his predecessor, Clayton McMillan, who led the club to four finals and came out second-best in each of them.

While the Chiefs haven’t tasted victory since 2013, the Hurricanes are now exactly 10 years removed from their lone title.

“I think both teams will be extremely motivated for supporters, sponsors and fans. It’s been a long time between drinks for both of us,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw told reporters on the eve of the final.

Hurricanes co-captain Jordie Barrett made his debut for the club the year after that championship run, but was in attendance for the 2016 final, watching his brother Beauden lift the trophy.

“I was sitting in the corner and getting drenched from the wind and rain,” the inside centre reflected. “It was a great buzz. Any time you can win a Super Rugby title, when you’re a player or supporter, everyone will take a great sense of pride and satisfaction.

“It’s a massive challenge ahead for both sides. We’ve got the No.1 and No.2 seeds in the competition, and a full stadium, so what a spectacle for New Zealand and Super Rugby.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

57 - 21

66 - 12

47 - 14

45 - 28

24 - 47

49 - 12

46 - 24

59 - 34

36 - 32

42 - 12

4

Wins

4

2

Streak

3

34

Tries Scored

32

97

Points Difference

110

4/5

First Try

2/5

4/5

First Points

3/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

Barrett said this week had felt like time was moving slowly, but now that kick-off is just one day away and “the work is done”, was happy that all there is left to do is perform.

“It’s pretty special, but in the same breath, we’ve just got ourselves here; it’s only an opportunity,” Barrett said. “The Chiefs will probably be saying the same thing. But for this group, we’ve been sitting there at this time of the year doing season reviews after falling short, so it’s hugely satisfying to get an opportunity to play one more week.

“The team will hopefully relish that, and both teams are going to be right up for it.”

Barrett departed for Leinster after a 2024 season in which the Hurricanes finished top of the table but were cut down by the Chiefs, in Wellington, in the semi-final. Now the squad is two years removed from that upset, Barrett says he’s noticed a lift in the team’s big-game abilities.

“The guys are another year older; hopefully, we’re a little bit wiser and a little bit smarter. There’s certainly some positive cohesiveness, and I felt that from day one.

“Hopefully, this group can show a bit of that maturity that I felt tomorrow night. Time will tell.”

Barrett rejoined the squad and assumed co-captaincy duties with Du’Plessis Kirifi. In Barrett’s absence in 2025, the Hurricanes adopted a unique, four-captain leadership model, with Asafo Aumua, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Billy Proctor, and Brad Shields all named as co-captains.

Kirifi said he and Barrett had found a groove with their respective leadership responsibilities.

“It’s worked really well,” the flanker said. “Jordie’s obviously slotted back in seamlessly after being abroad for a year, but the core group of leaders have been in the group for a good amount of time now, so we know each other inside and out and have really leaned on each other’s strengths, which are pretty vast, to be honest. So the group works well together, it’s got a lot of balance, and it’s got a lot of experience as well.

“I think I heard a few people talking about ‘too many chefs in the kitchen’ towards the start of the season, but we found a way to make it work. And no one’s fighting for airspace. We know our roles, we know our areas of expertise, and we just go and nail those and lead those.”