Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to lead Hurricanes against Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final

Thursday, 4 June 2026

Du’Plessis Kirifi returns from a shoulder injury for the Hurricanes on Friday night (file photo).

What: Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final, Hurricanes v Brumbies. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: Friday 7.05pm, Sky Sport 1.

Winners are grinners - and Super Rugby Pacific semifinal hosts on a Saturday night.

The Hurricanes fizzed through their final training at Upper Hutt headquarters on Wednesday with coach Clark Laidlaw’s seal of approval, and revenge on their minds for the Brumbies who visit for the first qualifying final on Friday night.

In their last three meetings in playoffs footy the Brumbies beat the Hurricanes - all in Canberra - in 2022, 2023 and a year ago.

A shock defeat for the top qualifiers at Hnry Stadium would still see them through to the following weekend’s semifinals as the lucky losers, but they would automatically be seeded No 4 and concede precious home advantage. Win, and they remain in Wellington on Saturday week, most likely against the Blues if this weekend goes to form, with the top seeds getting the choice of hosting Friday or Saturday.

“We’d prefer to have an eight-day turnaround and play the Saturday night - that’s what most of the teams would choose,” said Laidlaw, adding they had been emailed the “eight or nine” potential playoff scenarios.

It would mean the Chiefs - assuming they live up to their heavy favouritism against the Reds on Saturday - get a six-day turnaround for a Friday night Hamilton semi against the defending champion Crusaders, assuming the latter also beat the Blues in Christchurch.

A year ago the top-qualifying Chiefs lost to the Blues in week one of the playoffs but under different rules they retained home advantage for the semis and beat the Brumbies.

Said Laidlaw: “The tweak from last year… it’s pretty obvious if you lose you should be penalised. We’d far prefer to win and stay at home, for sure.”

Oddly, none of the top qualifiers from the past four years have gone on to win Super Rugby Pacific.

Laidlaw named his strongest possible lineup, with winger Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring) and flanker Devan Flanders (concussion) the only frontliners still sidelined and expected back for the semis. Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi (shoulder) returns a week earlier than expected, while All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax is on the bench in his second game back, behind the battle-hardened and in-form Pasilio Tosi.

“There’s a lot of boys wearing strapping tape at this time of year. He (Kirifi) is good to go, he’s had a really good training week and we wouldn’t risk him if it was a real serious injury,” Laidlaw said.

Fehi Fineanganofo will miss Friday’s qualifying final but will likely return for the semis the following week, with his season try tally at 16.

With Fineanganofo still sidelined - and tantalisingly poised on a season record-equalling 16 tries - Josh Moorby (13 tries for the season) is on the right wing with Callum Harkin at fullback and Kini Naholo on the left.

Fineanganofo trained strongly on Wednesday, Laidlaw said, and was further ahead in his recovery than expected.

The find of the season, and a compelling All Blacks contender, would likely return for the semifinals with plenty of chatter surrounding his future, Fineanganofo signed with Newcastle Red Bulls in January, and there are unconfirmed moves afoot to extricate him from that deal.

Asked if he thought the 23-year-old former sevens flyer would be back with the Hurricanes next year, after all, Laidlaw said: “No real gut feeling but I’ve said all along we’d love him to be here, for sure. We’ve enjoyed what he’s done but it’s definitely not something we’re involved in, or can control.”

The Hurricanes beat the Brumbies 45-12 under the roof in Christchurch in April with Fineanganofo scoring four tries. Coached by Brumbies legend Stephen Larkham, the visitors are coming off a shock defeat to Moana Pasifika and haven’t beaten the Hurricanes in New Zealand since 2014.

Laidlaw was certainly relieved to have avoided the long trip to Canberra via Sydney a year on.

“It’s not payback as such but we’ve definitely prepared with the intensity I would expect for good opposition. The Brumbies in a quarterfinal - the boys are right on.”

Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (co-capt), Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Brad Shields, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delany, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Ngane Punivai.