Super Rugby Pacific final: Hurricanes brace for full house, say ‘bring it on’ to Chiefs fans and their cow bells
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
What: Super Rugby Pacific final, Hurricanes v Chiefs. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: 7.05pm Saturday, Sky Sport 1.
After selling out Hnry Stadium for the Super Rugby Pacific final within 15 minutes, the Hurricanes are rolling out the welcome mat for Chiefs fans: bring your cow bells, and bring it on.
A full house at the 34,500-capacity Wellington stadium will watch the Hurricanes’ first final since their solitary title in 2016 (also the last time the Canes sold out their home ground).
After members of both clubs got first crack on Monday, all remaining seats were snapped up minutes after going on sale at 10am Tuesday.
And visiting Chiefs fans who secured tickets have the green light to bring their cow bells, a red, yellow and black symbol of Waikato rugby support for many years which were controversially banned for last year’s final at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium. The limited size of the 17,000-capacity venue was given as the reason by the Crusaders.
Hurricanes chief executive Tony Philp - a former Waikato and Chiefs prop - said of visiting fans clanking their bovine accessories: “My attitude is, bring it on… we want people to engage the way they normally engage. What we bring is a voice and we’ll have predominantly more supporters for the Hurricanes. If there are cowbells there, we want our supporters drowning that out. Let’s go.”
Among the list of prohibited items at Hnry Stadium are: “Noise making devices including musical instruments (unless under prior agreement with the event owner under agreed conditions).”
The Hurricanes confirmed cow bells did not fall into this category.
Hurricanes tryscoring machine Josh Moorby - whose 15 this season have him within one of team-mate Fehi Fineanganofo on a record-equalling 16 - hails from Te Awamutu and played for Waikato in last year’s NPC on return from France.
He said: “I think there will be a few Mooloo bells around, hopefully they haven’t bought too many of the tickets and we have the majority of Hurricanes supporters there.”
The TAB made the Hurricanes $1.50 favourites to the Chiefs’ $2.50, with Australian Nic Berry confirmed as referee.
The Hurricanes’ plea to ‘Fill the Tin’ last week helped draw a crowd of 24,067 - the biggest in Wellington in recent years - to watch them hammer the Blues 57-21 and book their home final as top qualifiers.
Said Moorby of the extra 10,000 expected on Saturday night: “It’ll be electric. Last week was great, it was so loud and just a great buzz and excitement around the stadium, so those extra numbers it’s going to be pretty awesome.”
Philip had confidently predicted tickets would sell out by Tuesday night, and his plea to fans to get in quick was answered.
“It’s going to be an event and experience that people remember for a long time and that’s what we want. We know this crowd will have an impact on our performance and to do this at home and perform to our fans - we can’t wait.”
Both sides have statistical hurdles to overcome. The Hurricanes suffered semifinal heartache four times since 2016 - the most recent a 30-19 defeat at the hands of a Wallace Sititi-inspired Chiefs in the capital in 2024. Loose forward Brad Shields is the only returning player from that 2016 title team.
The Chiefs are playing their fourth successive final but their title drought is even longer than their hosts - 2013 under Dave Rennie was their last time clutching the silverware. In the Chiefs’ favour is no top qualifier has won the past four finals.
Hooker Asafo Aumua made his Hurricanes debut in 2018, and said they had spoken about experience being a key factor this time around. Twelve of last Saturday’s starting XV and three on the bench had 50-plus caps to their names.
“(There’s a) bit of nerves to be honest, and it’s probably a good thing. I haven’t been in this situation during my time at the Canes. Just really excited,” said Aumua.