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Watch: Explosive young fullback arrives at Super Rugby level to tear apart Blues
By Ben Smith
Young Highlanders fullback Finn Hurley announced himself as a star of the future with a stunning two-try display against the Blues in Dunedin.
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Despite entering his third season of Super Rugby Pacific after debuting in 2023, Hurley has just seven caps and this was just his second start in his preferred fullback position.
The 21-year-old turned back the clock with a solo try reminiscent of Otago legend Jeff Wilson when he chipped over the line on a kick return, picking up the loose ball and taking the outside to score in the corner.
He wasn’t done there, capitalising on another Highlanders break from a kick counter by looming inside Folau Fakatava to burst onto the final pass. He raced away to dot down in front of the Zoo for a key blow in the second half.
He produced 136 running metres, two line breaks, three offloads, and two tries in his first start of the year after featuring on the bench in round one.
What a try from ?D?a?m?i?a?n? ?M?c?K?e?n?z?i?e? Finn Hurley#HIGvBLUpic.twitter.com/Y3rWmMln5Q
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 22, 2025
For Hurley, a local Otago product playing for his hometown franchise, it doesn’t get any better with a dream night in Dunedin.
The young fullback’s performance helped the Highlanders to a special win, a 29-21 in over the Blues while down to 13 men in what is one of the best wins in franchise history.
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Fans online were blown away by the electric pocket rocket who stands at 1.75m and weighs in at 75kg.
Here for Finn Hurley and Timoci Tavatavanawai and Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 😍
Opening two rounds have been elite‼️
The competition is back from its great slumber.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) February 22, 2025
Might struggle to find a better individual try this SRP season than what Finn Hurley just did under the roof in Dunedin#HIGvBLU
— Scott (@MadMaclegend) February 22, 2025
Ruben Love, Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau… the kids are alright man.
— Vuyo (@dyan_carter_) February 22, 2025
Bloody love watching Finn Hurley. Electric.
— Ollie Silverton (@Ollie_Silverton) February 22, 2025
Finn Hurley makes D Mac look like Andre the Giant. But geez he’s got some ticker
— Farmboyraver (@AndyMuir22) February 22, 2025
Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai was also a standout, leading with 16 carries from second five. He was a force at the breakdown with three turnovers won.
The shock upset leaves the defending champion Blues in a slump at 0-2 to start the season after two key derby losses after the Chiefs stunned them at Eden Park in round one.
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The Blues are one of three teams that haven’t registered a win along with Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua. They will have to travel away to play the Hurricanes next week, while the Highlanders will play Moana.
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“For Hurley, a local Otago product playing for his hometown franchise,….” He is from Gore is my information, Ben. So a product of Southland. Finished his schooling with Otago Boys High, but his grounding not in Otago.
First thing I looked for in the results, JW, how Finn Hurley had gone. Have only watched the highlights so far. 6N this weekend has taken up lot of the time. Will watch the Highlanders game during week. Great to see the S. Island team knock of the big boys from the N. Island.
The best thing the Blues could do is send Beauden back to Japan. They didn’t need him last year, and he’s worth more in points to the opposition than his own team.
He got the Chiefs on the board first up last week with his aimless kicking, and gifted the Highlanders two tries, and very nearly a third, also with his kicking. Frankly, it seems players like he, and Rieko Ioane, are surviving on long past reputations knowing they won’t get dropped.
Courageous and at times, brilliant display by Highlanders. Holland’s engine, work rate as well as his lineout work showed out against the vaunted Blues set piece. The loosies were in good fettle and the backs overshadowed their (mostly) All Black opponents. Not yet a daunting line-up but JJ has them working well together and still has work to do on their discipline. They can’t win consistently with all the cards.