Josh Moorby on what's separating the Hurricanes from the pack in 2026

Josh Moorby, 27, was already a dependable Hurricane before he departed for Montpellier, France, in 2024. In 38 appearances, he had scored 21 tries. Upon return, the versatile outside back has become even more potent, scoring 12 tries in 11 games.

On Saturday night against the Highlanders at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, Moorby celebrates his 50th match alongside All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi. The Hurricanes have won their last ten matches against the visitors, who haven’t prevailed in the capital in nine starts since the 2015 final.

Furthermore, a certain All Blacks prospect, Caleb Tangitau, won’t be a headache for the hosts. The Highlanders’ electric winger tragically ruptured his left Achilles against the Chiefs last Friday, moving every other contender for an All Blacks wing spot up the pecking order. Moorby can also cover fullback, where he will start against the Highlanders.

“First of all, thoughts and prayers to Caleb. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, and his one is really nasty. I wish him a fast and full recovery,” Moorby told RugbyPass.

“I’m not thinking about the All Blacks or anything else apart from the Highlanders right now,” he added with machine-like efficiency.

After 14 rounds, the Hurricanes sit atop the Super Rugby Pacific standings, five clear points ahead of the Chiefs. They have led for the past three rounds and were the highest-placed side from Week 5 to Week 9.

The Hurricanes have scored the most points (503), tries (77), and conceded the fewest points (223). They are the first team to score 50 or more points in a single game five times. In seven away matches this year, the Hurricanes have scored 45 tries, beating their previous record of 43 tries in 2017 from nine away games. Winger Fehi Fineanganofo has equalled Ben Lam’s single-season record of 16 tries. With a dozen tries himself, Moorby could threaten that record too. He scored only two tries in 16 games (10 wins) for Montpellier.

“The effort of the coaches in pre-season designing a system that showcases our best skills and that all the players buy into has been awesome,” Moorby said.

“We have multiple ways to use the ball. We’re training to see space all the time, and our forwards can play like backs.

“Against the Blues, Ere Enari had an awesome game, setting up two tries and keeping the boys in sync. People were predicting our demise without Cam Roigard, but people forget that Ere is a special player in his own right. He’s played a lot of Ranfurly Shield rugby for Hawke’s Bay and Test matches for Samoa.”

Seamless.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

24 - 47

17 - 50

38 - 31

45 - 12

22 - 17

42 - 12

31 - 26

24 - 14

27 - 17

47 - 40

4

Wins

2

4

Streak

1

30

Tries Scored

17

91

Points Difference

-32

4/5

First Try

4/5

4/5

First Points

4/5

5/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

Super Rugby as a whole has been anything but seamless. The Hurricanes face difficult financial challenges off the field, and there has been a robust media debate about the quality and engagement of the competition. Even All Blacks selector and 2011 Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry (88 wins in 103 matches) has said Super Rugby is not doing an adequate job preparing potential All Blacks. New Zealand Rugby Chairman David Kirk announced a review into the tournament this week.

By contrast, the Top 14 in France is booming. It is the highest-paid, most-watched domestic rugby competition in the world. Population differences aside, Canal+ holds the highest television deal in domestic rugby, paying an eye-watering €696.8 million over five seasons for the rights to the Top 14 and Pro D2. Sky TV’s 2026-30 deal with New Zealand Rugby for all rugby rights is reportedly worth only between $75 and $80 million annually. In the 2024/25 season, a record 2.9 million spectators attended Top 14 games. La Rochelle, currently eighth on the table, has sold out more than 100 consecutive games in a decade.  The only games sold out in Super Rugby Pacific this season are the three weekends at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

“The biggest difference between the game in the Northern Hemisphere and the South is the way they kick. Generally, it’s more tactical and territorial, but they’re exceptional at using kicks to find space and attack. Look at how many tries Louis Bielle-Biarrey scores from kicks,” Moorby said.

“That’s not to say the French don’t have flair, but their first instinct might be to kick instead of run. Another thing about France is that it is quite tribal, but both competitions are really competitive. They play a lot more games with bigger squads and more rotation.”

No rebuke of Super Rugby from Moorby, and why should there be? His personal contribution has been outstanding.

In Round 13, with tries in the 11th, 22nd, 52nd, and 69th minutes, Moorby joined Fehi Fineanganofo (Brumbies, 45-12, 2026), Bailyn Sullivan (Chiefs, 35-17, 2025), Ben Lam (Melbourne Rebels, 50-19, 2018), and Ngani Laumape (Blues, 42-24, 2018) as a Hurricane to score four tries in a single Super Rugby match in a 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika. He had scored three tries against them earlier in the season.

Moorby has also scored tries in Hurricanes wins against the Reds (52-14), Crusaders (38-31), and Brumbies (45-12). Originally from Hamilton (his brother Cam now coaches the fabled First XV at Hamilton Boys’ High School), he scored in a 22-17 defeat against the Chiefs. The Chiefs are second, having won seven on the trot before Friday’s dramatic loss in Christchurch. A Hurricanes-Chiefs final in Wellington on June 20 would be quite a spectacle.

“We’re not looking that far ahead. We’ve got a job to do on Saturday night against the Highlanders,” Moorby responded on cue.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has been delighted with Moorby’s return.

“Having Josh back from overseas with different experiences, coaches, players, competitions, and areas of the game means we have learned from him. His versatility, speed, and consistency add a lot to our backline.”