Super Rugby final: Hurricanes must find new level against Chiefs in potential classic
Saturday, 20 June 2026
What: Super Rugby Pacific final, Hurricanes v Chiefs. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: 7.05pm Saturday, Sky Sport 1.
ANALYSIS: The Hurricanes sent the Blues packing in last week’s second semifinal by playing the rugby they have played all season, but the Chiefs found a new gear in their 49-12 against the Crusaders.
The Chiefs haven’t been as consistently good as the Hurricanes this year, but their performance in Hamilton suggested they have been holding something back for the finals.
Big tighthead prop Sione Ahio has been strong for the Chiefs at the pointy end of the season, and the way the Chiefs took the Crusaders’ scrum out of the equation last week reflected a near-complete team performance.
The manner of the Chiefs’ win against the Crusaders has even more relevance than their win against the Hurricanes in April, which seems like a long time ago.
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They are peaking at the right part of the year and the Hurricanes will probably have to find a new level themselves in a contest that is almost an old All Blacks Probables v Possibles trial.
Dave Rennie could conceivably name an All Blacks matchday squad from solely the players involved in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
The rugby public has certainly bought into the idea this final represents a shift in the balance of power in New Zealand rugby, with 34,500 tickets quickly snapped up to see the first title for the Hurricanes since 2016, or the first for the Chiefs since 2013.
While there is little between the teams, it seems inconceivable that the Hurricanes can win if they go into their shells in the decider.
The weather forecast looks a bit grim, which will curtail their natural game to an extent, but they aren’t built to simply squeeze teams with a territory and set-piece game.
Their tight five are capable of those tactics, especially with the giant Warner Dearns a disruptive force at the lineout, but the Hurricanes can’t pack away their attacking game for 80 minutes and then live with a lifetime of regrets.
The conditions were also far from perfect during their demolition of the Brumbies in the first week of the playoffs, but they still managed to attack with aplomb and it is highly likely that coach Clark Laidlaw will ask his players to repeat that performance.
The execution will be messier and and error rate will be higher because the Chiefs’ defence will be better, but if the Hurricanes don’t play they won’t win because Jono Gibbes’ side will smell blood if the Hurricanes lose faith in their identity.
It is a final too close to call. It could really come down to the obvious - which No 9-No 10 pairing of Cam Roigard-Ruben Love and Cortez Ratima-Damian McKenzie will be superior enough for long enough to give their side a winning edge.
With so little between the teams, will Roigard and home advantage be just enough to get the Hurricanes across the line?