Recap: Highlanders v Hurricanes - Super Rugby Pacific round six
Friday, 20 March 2026
- The Highlanders host the table-topping Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night.
Kick-off 7.05pm, live on Sky Sport 1 with updates on Stuff.
The Hurricanes lead the ladder after five rounds but have faced only bottom-half teams.
Hurricanes have won the last nine meetings and dominate the head-to-head.
Highlanders co-captain Hugh Renton returns for the first time since April 2025, Jonah Lowe is back and Reesjan Pasitoa starts at 10 with Cam Millar out (concussion).
Ruben Love makes his first start of the season at first five-eighth, Billy Proctor returns to partner Jordie Barrett in midfield and young hooker Vernon Bason debuts off the bench.
Teams
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), Jona Nareki, Reesjan Pasitoa, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton (cc), Lucas Casey, Sean Withy, Te Kamaka Howden, Oliver Haig, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Veveni Lasaqua, Adam Lennox, Andrew Knewstubb, Tanielu Tele’a.
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (c), Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delany, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Vernon Bason, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ereatara Enari, Bailyn Sullivan.
Form
The Hurricanes relied on their star-studded bench to beat the Western Force in Napier last Friday, claiming a come-from-behind 31-23 win to make it back-to-back victories over Australian opposition. They have won three of their first four fixtures.
The seventh-place Highlanders, drawn to face the defending champion Crusaders twice in the first five rounds, couldn’t back up their opening-round upset, losing 29-18 in Christchurch last weekend. It was their third loss in five games.
TAB odds
Hurricanes $1.40, Highlanders $2.90.
What they said
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph: “I wasn’t here for half of those years [since our last win against the Hurricanes], but, certainly last year, there were two opportunities we left out on the field. We took them close and lost a couple of games against the Hurricanes. If we play our best rugby we’re in with a chance.”
Hurricanes captain Du’Plessis Kirifi: “I’d say it’s a really good reflections, those last two games, of actually how quality both teams are and how close they are. I know the Highlanders had a rough year last year but down in Dunedin we won late in the piece and up in Wellington, in the 81st minute Cam Roigard scores under the posts. Both games we really hard fought and that’s because they’re such a quality team with threats across the park. They’re a better team than they were last year but hopefully so are we.”
Players to watch
Andrew Knewstubb (Highlanders): The New Zealand Sevens representative is poised to make his Super Rugby debut at 30 after being named on the Highlanders bench for the first time since signing. Knewstubb will provide cover for Perth-born playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa, who starts in the No. 10 jersey with Millar sidelined with concussion.
Warner Dearns (Hurricanes): The giant lock made his presence felt against the Force last Friday, completing the comeback with a charge-down try. Dearns returns to the starting lineup to partner Caleb Delany in the Hurricanes’ fourth different locking combination in five games.
History
Halfback Cam Roigard scored a try with the final play to snatch a dramatic 24-20 victory for the Hurricanes when the two teams last met in 2025. The last-gasp win extended the Hurricanes’ winning streak against the Highlanders to nine games. It has been six years since the Highlanders last beat them.