Super Rugby Pacific: Fehi Fineanganofo returns as hot Hurricanes keep it steady for Blues

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

He’s back ... Fehi Fineanganofo returns to starting duty for the Hurricanes’ semifinal against the Blues on Saturday night.

What: Super Rugby Pacific semifinal, Hurricanes v Blues. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: 7.05pm Saturday, Sky Sport 1.

New Zealand rugby’s man of the hour, Fehi Fineanganofo, makes a timely return to the Hurricanes starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Blues.

Appropriately, the in-demand free-scoring wing, now recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the last three weeks, is the only change to the group that started last week’s 66-12 qualifying final victory over the ACT Brumbies. Following arguably their most impressive performance of a standout season, head coach Clark Laidlaw was rightfully reluctant to change too much up.

But Fineanganofo, with his record-equalling 16 tries, presents as a special case, even if the dynamic Kini Naholo is still desperately unlucky to drop back to the bench, as is last week’s hat-trick replacement Ngane Punivai to miss out on the 23 altogether.

And the Blues have recalled a fit-again Beauden Barrett to fullback as one of four mostly injury-enforced changes to their lineup walloped 52-31 by the Crusaders in last week’s qualifying final. He replaces Zarn Sullivan (foot), though could also see time at first receiver in an interchangeable role with Stephen Perofeta.

Cole Forbes also comes on to the right wing, with AJ Lam and Xavi Taele shifting in a spot each and Pita Ahki relegated to the bench, Hoskins Sotutu replaces the concussed/suspended Malachi Wrampling at No 8 and All Black Fin Christie slots in for Sam Nock (fractured hand) at No 9.

Hard-running Hurricanes No 6 Brad Shields retains his spot in the pack for the clash against the Blues.

Poised to become the most prolific try-scorer in a Super Rugby season, Fineanganofo has played so well that it’s been speculated he has New Zealand Rugby scrambling behind closed doors to help him attain a release from his pending two-year contract with the Newcastle Red Bulls in England.

Understandably, Dave Rennie wants him to be part of his All Blacks squad and, equally understandably, the player himself may be in the process of securing an out that will enable him to commit beyond this year. That is all set to play out over the next few weeks.

In the meantime Fineanganofo has a first Super Rugby title since 2016 to pursue with the Hurricanes which will be his primary focus for the meantime. He resumes a well-established back-three partnership with fullback Callum Harkin and right wing Josh Moorby.

Harkin, notably, is retained at fullback, which is testament to the fabulous fist he has made of the role in 2026. Moorby could have moved back to No 15 to squeeze Naholo in as a starter, after the powerhouse wing’s impressive outing against the Brumbies.

There was mixed news around the Canes’ two other supposedly fit-again frontliners.

A fit-again Beauden Barrett returns at fullback for the Blues in their semifinal against the Hurricanes.

Prop Siale Lauaki, now recovered from his own hamstring strain, comes on to the bench as backup loosehead to replace Pouri Rakete-Stones. But form loosie Devan Flanders, despite being pronounced fit just a day earlier, was left out of the 23 and listed as out with concussion.

The Canes pack remains unchanged from that which dismantled the Brumbies so emphatically, with No 6 Brad Shields set to overtake Dane Coles as the third most capped Hurricane with his 142nd appearance and Lakai to earn his 50th cap for the franchise.

Assistant coach Jason Holland said his team had to embrace a ”cool occasion” and understand they had to be at their best to advance against a Blues outfit they could ill-afford to underestimate.

“I’ve got no doubt they’ll be excited about coming down with a mentality around you guys writing them off, and just a mindset to get into us,” he said of an opponent rated little chance to make a second final in three years. “They;re a massive threat, and we have to be on our game.”

Holland said the key for the Canes this week was not looking to “reinvent” anything and embracing the “simple” parts of a game that was working well.

“Our game is our game, and the boys are really comfortable with how we play. It’s important we continue to do what we’ve been doing and continue to enjoy the footy we’re playing. There’s no chance of complacency – we know the threat we’ve got on Saturday night.”

The Blues enter Saturday on a streak of four straight defeats (by a combined 194 points), while the Hurricanes, who have won six of their last seven, are looking to snap a run of four consecutive semifinal losses.

Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (co-capt), Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-capt), Brad Shields, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delaney, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatari Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo.

Blues: Beauden Barrett, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Anton Segner, Torian Barnes, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Che Clark, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki, Payton Spencer.