Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes lock up top spot after ruthless win over Highlanders

Saturday, 23 May 2026

At Hnry Stadium, Wellington: Hurricanes 45 (Josh Moorby 2’, Kini Naholo 9’, 43’ Du’Plesiss Kirifi 15’, Ruven Love 29’, Brayden Iose 53’, Ere Enari 60’ tries; Ruben Love 5 con) Highlanders 28 (Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 25’, Timoci Tavatavanawai 40’, Adam Lennox 50’, Lucas Casey 68’ tries; Cam Millar 4 con). HT: 28-14.

Red card: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders).

The Hurricanes have locked up top spot with a round to spare after another ruthless attacking display against the Highlanders, who lost prop Daniel Lienert-Brown to a 20-minute red card for an ugly head clash with Devan Flanders.

Left winger Kini Naholo scored twice in the absence of rested leading try-scorer Fehi Fineanganofo as the Hurricanes powered to a 45-28 victory, maintaining their unbeaten home record at Hnry Stadium this season and extending their winning streak against the Highlanders to 11 matches.

Flanders was forced from the field after the seventh-minute collision, but the Hurricanes barely missed a beat, outscoring the Highlanders seven tries to four to secure a bonus point and move nine points clear of the Chiefs with one game remaining.

It is the second time in three seasons the Hurricanes have finished atop the Super Rugby Pacific standings, but after their semifinal exit in 2024, they are intent on going further this year. On current form, they look almost unstoppable.

The Hurricanes were already 7-0 ahead when Lienert-Brown’s yellow card was upgraded to red by TMO Graham Cooper, who ruled there was a high degree of danger and no mitigation after the Highlanders prop went head-first into contact and collected Flanders flush on the face.

“He’s up and about,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said. “He’s OK. He went home with his partner. It was a good sign he was able to walk off.

“It was a poor tackle, wasn’t it? I’m sure there wasn’t any malice in it, but it certainly rocked him at that speed.”

Lienert-Brown wasn’t originally named to start. Jamie Joseph changed his entire front row before kickoff, but that gameplan immediately went out the window. The Highlanders were 21-0 down by the time they were back to 15 men.

“I thought if the score was closer then the scrum might have been a bit of a joker up our sleeve, but it wasn’t to be,” Joseph rued.

Flanders left the field after an on-field assessment and is certain to miss next week’s trip to Christchurch to face the Crusaders under concussion protocols. But with a home qualifying final against the sixth seed already secured, Laidlaw has the luxury of rotating players.

“We’re delighted. All the teams are chasing that top spot, we know what it gives us around the second chance if you need it but more importantly, if you win, then you play at home,” Laidlaw added.

“The consistency the men have shown, particularly through this block of games, it’s really pleasing. We might have a quiet beer tonight to settle that and then get back on the horse in six days’ time.”

The Hurricanes were also forced into a late change before kickoff, co-captain Jordie Barrett ruled out with a tight hamstring. Jone Rova shifted into second five-eighth, while Billy Proctor joined the bench.

Barrett’s absence was barely noticed, with Rova helping create the opening try for fullback Josh Moorby in his 50th appearance after Flanders’ initial break.

Moorby marked the milestone in style, finishing a sweeping move to take his season tally to 13 tries — three behind Fineanganofo. He also sparked another long-range attack from inside the Hurricanes’ own 22 that ended with replacement Du'Plessis Kirifi scoring in the corner.

“I thought Moorbs was one of our best tonight in his 50th,” Laidlaw said. “Amazing work rate and line-breaking. He’s just so consistent.”

Ruben Love had another excellent game at first-five. He sliced Highlanders open in the first half when he skipped past two defenders to score under the posts.

The Hurricanes later spent time down to 14 men when winger Ngane Punivai was yellow-carded for taking out Mitch Dunshea in the air. But numbers were evened up soon after when Xavier Tito-Harris was sinbinned for a deliberate knock-on as the Hurricanes threatened again.

Naholo soon grabbed his second — and fifth try in three games since returning from a long-term ACL injury — stepping past Jack Taylor after a brilliant offload from Rova.

Adam Lennox briefly gave the Highlanders hope in the 49th minute, catching the Hurricanes napping with a quick tap penalty try after referee Angus Gardner awarded a scrum infringement. But the visitors could not get closer during a stop-start second half.

Tries to No 8 Brayden Iose and halfback Ere Enari stretched the lead again before Lucas Casey capped his breakout season with a late consolation for the visitors.

The Highlanders already knew before kickoff their season would end on Saturday, their playoff hopes extinguished when the Reds edged Moana Pasifika 33-31 earlier in the day.

What’s next

The Hurricanes will be looking to end the Crusaders’ unbeaten record at the One New Zealand Stadium when they meet under the roof in Christchurch in the final round next Friday, while the season is now over for the Highlanders.