Josh Moorby scores four tries as Hurricanes crush Moana Pasifika to regain top spot
Saturday, 9 May 2026
At North Harbour Stadium, Albany: Hurricanes 50 (Josh Moorby (4) tries 11min, 22min, 52min, 68min Du’Plessis Kirifi try 28min, Kini Naholo (2) tries 56min, 59min, Jone Rova try 66min; Callum Harkin 5 con) Moana Pasifika 17 (Tuna Tuitama (2) tries 30min, Israel Leota try 62min; Jackson Garden-Bachop con). HT: 19-7.
The Hurricanes face some impossible selection calls in the coming weeks after electric winger Kini Naholo marked his return with two tries and Josh Moorby scored four times against a brave but outclassed Moana Pasifika on Saturday night.
Naholo, who has missed about a year of rugby after an ACL injury, bagged a pair of tries not long after he was introduced as a second-half replacement for No 10 Lucas Cashmore at North Harbour Stadium.
He showed his trademark finishing power and acceleration on both occasions, and he will only get better with more match fitness.
Interestingly, coach Clark Laidlaw switched Fehi Fineanganofo to the right side when Naholo was introduced, with Moorby moving to fullback.
The coach now has huge amounts of firepower as the Hurricanes head towards the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, and even the absence of Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Jordie Barrett and Warner Dearns did not blunt their try-scoring ability.
Midfielder Billy Proctor was highly influential as a creative force, making several tries with his excellent passing.
The bonus-point win returns the Hurricanes to the top of the Super Rugby ladder, five competition points ahead of the Chiefs.
The only negative of the evening came in the form of Du’Plessis Kirifi icing a knee at the end of the game after being replaced at halftime.
On a wet night on the North Shore, Moorby opened the scoring with an excellent finish in the right-hand corner after 11 minutes.
It was a sign of things to come as the Hurricanes took charge in the first half due to their greater accuracy, and Moorby grabbed his second after another period of pressure.
Kirifi was frequently at the heart of the action, carrying and tackling strongly, and it was fitting that he got his name on the scoresheet from a maul try.
Callum Harkin, whose goalkicking was impressive in the tough conditions, was successful with the conversion and the Hurricanes appeared to be in cruise control at 19-0.
Moana Pasifika hit back immediately with a try to elusive right-winger Tuna Tuitama, but just as they appeared to be building some momentum Kirifi came up with an important breakdown penalty inside his own 22m.
Kirifi celebrated the penalty with gusto, as it meant the Hurricanes would take an important 12-point cushion into the sheds against an opposition that thrives on momentum.
Lock Caleb Delany continued his strong recent form for the Hurricanes, while Proctor’s class was evident throughout.
Proctor set up Moorby for his third try after 52 minutes, a moment that showed the difference between the sides.
The Hurricanes spent the previous 10 minutes on defence, but Moana Pasifika lacked the cutting edge to get over the line.
The home side again tried to score with a Springboks-style maul from a quick tap, but they couldn’t make it work for a second game in a row after succeeding against the Blues last week.
The Hurricanes cut loose when Naholo was injected in the second half and their impressive show of depth reinforced their title credentials.