A decade is a long, long wait for sporting success, particularly when you’ve only won one previous title.
They will, therefore, savour this second, breakthrough title throughout the Hurricanes catchment – from Wellington to Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti to Manawatu and Gisborne and everywhere in between.
The Hurricanes lost three matches this season – to the Drua in Fiji, the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Crusaders, in their final regular season match when they rested the majority of their starters.
Given their playoff run, which featured compelling, clinical blowout wins against the Brumbies, Blues and Chiefs, the Hurricanes have claims for delivering one of the most dominant campaigns in Super Rugby history.
Scoring 113 tries in 17 games – superior to any other domestic team this year – is testament to their unmatched firepower.
When it mattered, no one could get near them.
At halftime in the final, the Chiefs were left chasing shadows, contemplating a no-way-back 29-0 deficit. And there was no let-up, no mercy in sight.
The half century came and went. This was showtime footy.
Tellingly, the Hurricanes attacking brand of rugby paved the way for this success. They have, at times, conjured champagne rugby from the gods.
Even tonight, on the sold-out final stage when pressure and nerves could have stifled intent, the Hurricanes stayed true to the blueprint that has served them so well.
The Hurricanes had to seize this moment. Clark Laidlaw has built his squad continuity and depth over the last three years with a view to peaking this season. But with a dozen players and coaches set to depart beyond this season, including Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns and Isaia Walker-Leawere, the Hurricanes had to grasp their destiny now.
There were many influential figures for the Hurricanes in the final, as you would expect with such a brilliant performance.
Ruben Love, though, totally upstaged Damian McKenzie to further enhance his All Blacks playmaking credentials. Two tries – the second a stunning put down in the corner – underline Love’s impact but it was his early control and decision-making that will please the All Blacks most.
Wellington typically whipped up a gale-force wind that threatened to undermine the two best attacking teams in the competition.
Rather than detract from the spectacle, though, those challenging conditions reinforced the need for the Hurricanes to keep the ball in hand.
And with that approach, the Hurricanes were exceptional. As they have been all season. Four first-half tries stunned the Chiefs.
It was a mark of the Hurricanes’ confidence and intent to continue to play that Fehi Fineanganofo broke Super Rugby’s single-season record with his 17th try – and Josh Moorby joined him with a double. Both form finishers are expected to be rewarded with maiden call-ups to Dave Rennie’s All Blacks squad on Monday. And you can see why.
Moorby and Fineanganofo won’t be alone, with Hurricanes loosehead Xavier Numia among the rookie inclusions, alongside last year’s contingent of Hurricanes’ All Blacks, after another standout display.
Last week the Chiefs dismantled the Crusaders with their first half onslaught in their one-sided semifinal. This time the tables were turned.
Unlike last week, the Hurricanes met the Chiefs forward-led approach head on with line speed and physicality and the visitors had no answers, no response.
The Hurricanes embraced tempo, pace, width, control and superb catch-pass interchanges between backs and forwards.
Warner Dearns’ kick and lineout pressure rattled the Chiefs early. Asafo Aumua, Flanders, Peter Lakai and Pasilio Tosi consistently thrust the Hurricanes on the front foot with their damaging ball carrying. Jordie Barrett was a composed fulcrum in the middle of the field and Love’s decision-making was on point.
Samipeni Finau had two notable charges and Ollie Norris was held up but, otherwise, the Chiefs were on the back foot, scrambling to survive.
When Love slotted a 50-metre penalty on halftime, there was no way back for the Chiefs. Even with the wind at their backs the Chiefs had no hope of stopping the rampant Canes.
A fourth straight final loss leaves the chokers tag firmly imprinted on the Chiefs.
While their consistency to reach so many finals – five in the last six years – is admirable, failing to clinch a championship leaves scarring mental demons.
Thirteen years – the longest stretch of any New Zealand team – without silverware goes on for the Chiefs.
McKenzie encapsulated the Chiefs’ struggles. Battling into a huge wind, McKenzie endured a horror first half that featured three restarts that handed over possession to the Hurricanes, missing touch from a penalty, one charged-down kick and a dropped ball.
McKenzie wasn’t alone in making mistakes but those errors handed the Hurricanes multiple handouts they did not need.
With six minutes remaining the Chiefs mustered one solitary counterpunch try to avoid the ignominy of being the first team not to score a point in a Super Rugby final but this was a night to forget.
Truth be told, though, no one could stick with the Cane train in full flight.
Toot, toot. All aboard. The Hurricanes are champions again.
Hurricanes 60 (Josh Moorby 2, Ruben Love 2, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Devan Flanders, Jordie Barrett, Jone Rova tries; Love 6 cons, pen)
Chiefs 5 (Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi try)
HT: 29-0
All you need to know for the Super Rugby Pacific grand final as the Hurricanes host the Chiefs in Wellington.
Hurricanes v Chiefs
Hnry Stadium, Wellington. Saturday 7.05pm
The battle for Super Rugby supremacy takes place on Saturday night with the two best teams across the season battling it out for the championship.
Both the Hurricanes and Chiefs finished the round robin stages with an 11-3 record, but the former ended up finishing four points higher on the standings due to bonus points.
For the Hurricanes, this is their fourth grand final, having lost in 2006 to the Crusaders and 2015 to the Highlanders before beating the Lions the following year to capture their lone Super Rugby title.
The Chiefs are contesting their seventh and they are out to end years of hurt. They lost in 2009 to the Bulls before going back-to-back in 2012-13, beating the Sharks and Brumbies under Dave Rennie. However, they have lost their last four finals in 2021, 2023, and 2025 to the Crusaders and 2024 to the Blues.
The Hurricanes head into the final as favourites; however, the Chiefs have won seven of their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific meetings, including an extra-time 22-17 win when they met in round 10 this year.
Squads
The biggest team news comes from the Chiefs, who remain without All Blacks flanker Wallace Sititi as he continues to go through the concussion protocols following his nasty head knock against the Reds.
The news that Sititi remains sidelined does bring into question if he will be fit enough to make the All Blacks squad which is named on Monday.
They’ve also made two injury-enforced changes to their starting side, with centre Lalakai Foketi, who has signed with Welsh club Ospreys during the week, ruled out with a calf injury, while fullback Isaac Hutchinson has succumbed to a knee injury.
Their spots in the starting side have been taken by Kyle Brown and Leroy Carter respectively, while Reon Paul joins the bench.
Leroy Carter will start on the right wing for the Chiefs. Photo / SmartFrame / Action Press x
“You work hard to be given this opportunity and it is satisfying to be in this position, but we also know there is one more game to win,” Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said.
”The Hurricanes have been the pace setters throughout the season and it will be a terrific challenge playing them at their home, but it is one we are looking forward to.
“Playing in front of a full house is always stimulating and we know there will be plenty of Gallagher Chiefs supporters in the crowd, ringing their cowbells loudly.”
For the Hurricanes, lock Caleb Delany has been ruled out with concussion; however, they do welcome back Devan Flanders from a head knock.
Isaia Walker-Leawere takes Delany’s spot at lock, while Flanders starts at blindside flanker, demoting Brad Shields to the bench.
“It’s a hugely exciting week and game ahead. A home final in front of a sold-out stadium, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
Devan Flanders has signed to play in Japan after the Super Rugby Pacific season. Photo / Photosport
“We’ve prepared really well at the start of the week. We’ve got no question about what’s coming from the Chiefs and how good they are. We know it’s going to be a tough battle, but it’s something we’re really excited about.
“It’s great news that we can welcome back Devan Flanders and pick a really settled team at this stage of the season. That’s something we’re really grateful for.
“It’s a massive weekend, we’re hugely excited and can’t wait to get into it.”
There will be an intriguing battle between wingers Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby to see who if one of them can claim the Super Rugby try-scoring record.
Fineanganofo is currently equal with Joe Roff and Ben Lam for the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record, while Moorby is just one behind.
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jordie Barrett (co-c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Siale Lauaki, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Brad Shields, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Kini Naholo.
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Ahio, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Bench: 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.