It will once again be an all-New Zealand clash in the Super Rugby Pacific final when the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs in Wellington on Saturday.
While drama was in short supply in the semi-finals, it is apt that the best teams in the competition by a distance go head-to-head in the showpiece event this weekend.
The Hurricanes led the way during the regular season and easily dispatched the Brumbies and Blues in the play-offs. They have played some sublime rugby throughout the campaign, scoring tries aplenty with Fehi Fineanganofo leading the way on 16.
After equalling the Super Rugby try-scoring record set by Ben Lam and Joe Roff during the regular season, Fineanganofo will look to break it on the biggest stage in the southern hemisphere club game.
They have mixed news on the injury front with key lock Caleb Delany being ruled out through injury but Devan Flanders has recovered from concussion to take his place in the XV.
As for the Chiefs, who were also dominant in their victories over the Reds and Crusaders, they have also made a couple of alterations.
Isaac Hutchinson picked up an ankle injury in the semi-final success, which means Liam Coombes-Fabling shifts to full-back and All Black Leroy Carter starts on the right wing.
Also in the backline, Kyle Brown has come in for Lalakai Foketi and partners Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.
Players to watch
It is two teams stacked with All Blacks but it is impossible to overlook the battle at fly-half as Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie face-off in Wellington. The winner of that duel could well decide who starts their opening Test of the season against France in the Nations Championship.
Love has enjoyed an outstanding season but he has also been helped by having world-class operators alongside him in the form of Jordie Barrett and Cam Roigard. That midfield axis has therefore created the opportunities for the men out wide with Fehi Fineanganofo looking to break a Super Rugby record. His opposite wing, Josh Moorby has also starred and both could be named in Dave Rennie’s All Blacks squad.
That backline unit looks slightly stronger than the Chiefs, despite McKenzie receiving fine support from Quinn Tupaea, who has been exceptional in 2026, while up front the continued absence of Wallace Sititi is a blow. Simon Parker therefore has a big role to play at number eight and the likes of Samipeni Finau and Tupou Vaa’i will also need to do their fair share of carrying work.
Prediction
It is two absolutely outstanding sides but ultimately the hosts have the upper hand in the Super Rugby showpiece. They have looked unstoppable throughout the season and we can’t see the Chiefs emerging victorious in the capital. Hurricanes by 10 points.
The teams
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (cc), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc), 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jone Rova, 23 Kini Naholo
Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Sione Ahio, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Reon Paul
Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Aus)
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane (Aus), Louis Trisley (Aus)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
How to watch: Sky Sport NZ, Stan Sport, Sky Sports, SuperSport, ESPN, Canal+
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