Reds vs Hurricanes: Proctor’s All Blacks statement, McDermott impresses

The Hurricanes will go into the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season inside the top four, having beaten the Queensland Reds 31-27 in a thriller on Friday. Fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium were treated to an enthralling clash, which came right down to the wire.

Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Cam Roigard and Billy Proctor all crossed for a try each as the visitors took a clinical 26-13 lead into the break. But the Reds, to their credit, clawed their way back with Tate McDermott and Joe Brial scoring in the second term.

Fineanganofo completed a double with 15 to play, and the Canes managed to hold on from there for a hard-earned win on the road. Here are some takeaways.

Billy Proctor needs to start at 13 for the All Blacks

Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor has played two Tests for the All Blacks and appears destined for many more in the years to come. Proctor scored a try in each of those appearances against Fiji and Japan, which followed a four-try haul for the All Blacks XV in 2023.

Coach Scott Robertson has plenty of skilful options to consider for New Zealand’s No. 13 jersey, with Rieko Ioane the incumbent. Leicester Fainga’anuku is also coming back to New Zealand after a stint with Toulon, having played more centre than wing in France.

But time and time again this season, Proctor has proven that his time is now. If the All Blacks do decide to go in another direction at outside centre, then the Hurricanes co-captain is so clearly the obvious option.

After missing a large chunk of the season with an Achilles injury, Proctor returned off the bench in the round 10 draw with the Western Force in Perth. The following week, Proctor was sensational back in the starting side, as the Canes beat the Brumbies in Canberra.

80-minute shifts against the Chiefs and Highlanders followed, but another strong performance against the Reds is a statement. If you watched this match, before reading any further, you’d understand just how good the Hurricane was.

Proctor beat Hunter Paisami during a strong carry into the Reds’ 22 in the 28^th minute, which led to Fehi Fineanganofo’s five-pointer. From the stands, it seemed Proctor could’ve gone over himself, but the centre wouldn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet.

After a try to Cam Roigard, Proctor was next to have his name up in lights.

Proctor scored with two minutes left in the first half, capping off a clinical team performance from the visitors at Brisbane’s sporting cauldron. In that 40 minutes, Proctor led the Canes for carries with seven and was third overall for running metres with 42.

Add an assist and a try to that, and there’s not a whole lot to criticise. At this stage, Billy Proctor seems to be the clear front-runner to wear the All Blacks’ No. 13 jersey against the French in July and beyond.

Tate McDermott continues to give Joe Schmidt plenty to think about

Without any doubt, Tate McDermott is the form No. 9 in Australian rugby.

It’s so obvious that it’s almost ridiculous to write.

While co-captain Liam Wright has been sidelined for practically the entire season, McDermott has led by example as a genuine world-class halfback. McDermott has started 11 of 12 appearances for the Reds in 2025, and has rarely had an off-night.

The Wallaby has gone from strength-to-strength in recent weeks, scoring against the Blues and then again two rounds later away to the NSW Waratahs. McDermott also impressed last time out, away to the ACT Brumbies, and carried that strong form into the Canes clash.

After an early Hurricanes try to Ruben Love, McDermott danced around the ruck to hit back for the Reds in the third minute. That was the first of two tries for the scrumhalf, benefiting from Jock Campbell’s break up the field a minute into the second term.

But generally speaking, McDermott made a difference around the park on the back of a rapid passing game, sniping around the breakdown, and kicking well. With the Reds playing at a higher tempo than normal, it was McDermott who made that so effective.

NSW Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon is the incumbent at halfback for the national team, but it seems to be getting more and more difficult for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to look past McDermott for that spot.

Battle of the opensides won by Kirifi

As far as positional matchups go, it doesn’t get much more box office than the battle of star opensides Fraser McReight and Du’Plessis Kirifi. McReight is an established starting Wallaby, and Kirifi was the 2024 All Blacks XV captain who continued to push for higher honours.

Les Kiss was asked about the Hurricanes’ backrow on Thursday, with the Reds coach replying quite quickly with, “We’ve got Harry [Wilson].” Joe Brial was the other starting Reds loosie, while the Canes went with Brad Shields and Peter Lakai to partner Kirifi.

It’s an All-Star matchup across the board.

But focus on the openside flankers.

McReight is favoured to wear the Wallabies’ No. 7 jersey against the British & Irish Lions, while Kirifi is a fan favourite in New Zealand. There’s been chat for years about Kirifi’s potential as an All Black, and the flanker’s decision to re-sign with NZR seems like a step towards that.

On Friday night, McReight was largely kept quiet by the Canes, other than a decent burst down the left edge during the first half. McReight has the second-most carry metres out of any Reds player at the break, but a lot of that came down to that particular carry.

McReight was one of three players who had secured a turnover by that stage of the game, with Richie Asiata and Ruben Love also securing one each. Kirifi was among the elite for tackles completed, and it seemed the Canes’ star openside was able to have more of an impact.

But it was close.