Four into three won’t go: Can hat-trick hero keep his Hurricanes spot?

Saturday, 6 June 2026

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has welcomed a selection headache after Ngane Punivai thrust himself into semifinal contention with a hat-trick in their record rout of the Brumbies.

Punivai crossed three times after replacing Callum Harkin in the 54th minute, helping the Hurricanes complete a 66-12 demolition in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final, with Josh Moorby shifting to fullback.

With competition-leading try-scorer Fehi Fineanganofo due back for next Saturday’s semifinal against the lucky loser, Laidlaw faces a dilemma out wide.

Fineanganofo (16 tries in 12 games), Moorby (13 in 14), Kini Naholo (five in five) and Punivai (three in three) are effectively competing for three spots in the match-day 23 – two starting roles and a place on the bench.

Fineanganofo is expected to slot straight back in after recovering from a hamstring injury, but his absence has barely been felt, with Naholo – last year’s first-choice left wing – impressing after returning from a long-term ACL injury.

The Hurricanes ran in nine tries to inflict the Brumbies’ heaviest-ever defeat. It was also the largest loss suffered by an Australian side in a Super Rugby finals match.

Laidlaw had seemingly lost track of the tally, unaware Punivai had completed his hat-trick when he gathered a Ruben Love crossfield kick in the 79th minute.

After playing a prominent role last season, Punivai has been restricted to just three appearances in 2026 because of hamstring and shoulder injuries.

His first try showcased his athleticism, sprinting more than 50 metres after pouncing on a loose Brumbies pass before carrying a defender over the line.

“In our selection meeting at the start of the week we talked a lot about how the game needed to be and what strengths we wanted to bring against the Brumbies,” Laidlaw said.

“His workrate and energy, the consistency to that, and his accuracy, you’ve seen all that tonight as well as the fact he finished well.

“He’s had a tricky year with injuries. He played a whole heap last year and a whole heap for Canterbury but he’s rolled in with a couple of niggles this year he hasn’t been able to shake, so I’m super pleased for him. He’s an amazing team man. He’s had to bide his time and do his rehab, but he’s reaped the benefits tonight.”

Will a hat-trick in a qualifying final be enough to keep his spot?

Laidlaw admits the Hurricanes coaches face some difficult calls once they know who they will host at Hnry Stadium next Saturday.

“You always want those tricky decisions. When you have injuries and you don’t have decisions, that’s when it sucks,” he said.

“Hopefully they’re all fit and healthy and we can give it to CJ [assistant coach Cory Jane] and he can come up with who he wants to play on the wings and we’ll take it from there.”