Hurricanes land top spot as Ruben Love impresses against Highlanders despite scrum struggles
Saturday, 23 May 2026
At Hnry Stadium, Wellington. Hurricanes 45 (Josh Moorby try 2min, Kini Naholo try 8min, Du’Plessis Kirifi try 15min, Ruben Love try 29min, Kini Naholo try 42min, Brayden Iose try 51min, Ereatara Enari try 58min; Ruben Love 4 con) Highlanders 28 (Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens try 24min, Timoci Tavatavanawai try 40min; Adam Lennox try 49min, Lucas Casey try 67min; Cameron Millar 4 con). HT: 28-14
Red card: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders)
Yellow cards: Ngantungane Punivai (Hurricanes), Xavier Tito-Harris (Highlanders), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes have secured top spot on the ladder and home advantage in the playoffs after a victory that lacked conviction but again showed their cutting edge on attack.
Despite Jordie Barrett being a late withdrawal for the Hurricanes, in-form weapons such as Josh Moorby and Ruben Love cut the Highlanders to ribbons at times.
The Hurricanes were 21-0 up inside the first quarter, ruthlessly exploiting a numerical advantage after Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown was shown an early red card.
Lienert-Brown got himself in an awkward position trying to tackle Hurricanes flanker Devan Flanders and there was heavy head contact between the two players.
Flanders took a few minutes to get to his feet and was replaced by Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Lienert had started the game after Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph made the decision to switch his strongest front row of Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor and Angus Ta’avao to the bench.
But the move backfired and the Highlanders’ top trio were injected into the game after 34 minutes - and proceeded to win a series of scrum penalties over the next 46 minutes.
However, the Hurricanes had already established a big lead after Love danced through some of the Highlanders’ low numbers to score his first try of the season.
Love had another accomplished game at No 10, and his ability to use his footwork and acceleration at the line would have pleased All Blacks selector Graham Henry, who was watching from the stands.
Big All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi also had a prominent game around the field in his 50th game.
The second half was a more even affair as both teams spent time with 14 men after No 14s Ngantungane Punivai and Xavier Tito-Harris were sent to the sin bin for separate offences.
While the Hurricanes weren’t at their most accurate, Brayden Iose showed his athleticism and speed for the pick of their three tries in the second spell.
However, their scrum was repeatedly shunted backwards by de Groot, Taylor and Ta’avao and referee Angus Gardner eventually lost patience and showed a yellow card to Pouri Rakete-Stones.
The Highlanders scored two tries on the back of the scrum dominance, with replacement halfback Adam Lennox and loose forward Lucas Casey going over from close range.
Casey had another impressive game for the Highlanders after his standout effort against the Chiefs last week.
He enjoyed a high-quality duel with Peter Lakai, while Bailyn Sullivan and Iose also had some strong moments for the home side.
The Hurricanes play the Crusaders in Christchurch next Friday and could rest some players with top spot already locked up.
A loss to the Crusaders could even be beneficial to the Hurricanes if they want to avoid the defending champions in the first week of the playoffs.