After a 90-minute hit out under the roof in Dunedin, the Hurricanes now turn their attention to hosting Moana Pasifika, naming a strong side for their final preseason match at NZCIS on Friday, in Upper Hutt. The match against the Highlanders last Saturday, where 38 Hurricanes players were used, has given Head Coach Clark Laidlaw and his coaching staff some food for thought heading into Friday’s match. “Although we’re a little disappointed how we played against the Highlanders, it was great to get everyone here in preseason who was fit and healthy some live rugby. There were no serious injuries ..read more

Experienced loose-forward and Hurricanes centurion Brad Shields has today been confirmed as captain of the Hurricanes ahead of their 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific campaign. He will be supported by Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett, who have been named as vice-captains for 2024. Shields, who played 103 games for the Hurricanes between 2012 and 2018, before heading offshore to pursue a test career with England, signed with the Hurricanes last year, eyeing a return for this season. He takes over the reins from 2023 captain Ardie Savea who departed for Japan this season. The captain’s tag is a title t ..read more

We are down to the penultimate week of the Super Rugby Pacific season with just four teams left standing. The first semifinal kicks off on Friday night when the Crusaders host the Blues in a blockbuster from Christchurch. The Crusaders are unbeaten in home playoff matches since 1998, amassing a 28/28 record. The Blues won’t be daunted by previous history and will be eager to gain revenge for their loss to the Crusaders in last year’s final. The second semifinal sees the ACT Brumbies fly the Australian flag against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night. The Chiefs have only had one stumble ..read more

COMPLETE SRP Round 15 teams: Friday Blues vs Highlanders at Eden Park. Kick-off 5:05pm  (AEST) – 7.05pm (NZT) The Blues have won eight of their last nine Super Rugby games against the Highlanders (L1) including their last five on the bounce and a 60-20 win in their most recent encounter (Round 1, 2023). The Highlanders last away win against the Blues in Super Rugby competitions was a 34-16 victory in Round 10 of the 2018 campaign; they’ve lost six such fixtures in a row since. The Blues have won their last four home games on the bounce after losing three straight at home previously; in ..read more

COMPLETE SRP Round 14 teams: Friday Highlanders vs Reds, 5.05pm (AEST) – 7.05pm (NZT) The Highlanders have won their last five matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Queensland Reds by an average margin of 12 points per game; indeed, it’s the longest winning run by either team in the history of this fixture. The Highlanders will be aiming for back-to-back wins at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Super Rugby competitions for the first time since June 2021, following their 20-17 victory against the Melbourne Rebels in their last game at the venue (Round 13, 2023 Super Rugby Pacific). The Que ..read more

COMPLETE SRP Round 13 teams: Friday Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders, 5.05pm (AEST) – 7.05pm (NZT) The Crusaders have won each of their two previous Super Rugby Pacific games against Moana Pasifika by margins of 17 points or more on the day, including a 38-21 win when they met earlier this campaign (Round 7, 2023). Moana Pasifika have lost their last six Super Rugby Pacific games on home turf, conceding 40+ points in each of their last five home games in the competition. Moana Pasifika have lost their last 11 straight games against teams from New Zealand in Super Rugby Pacific, losing by an ave ..read more

Hurricanes assistant coach, Chris Gibbes, has announced he will step down from the role at the end of the 2023 DHL Super Rugby season. Gibbes said that “the time was right to head home” to Te Awamutu, deciding against seeking renewal of his contract after four seasons at the club. “My family is the most important thing to me. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, so as hard as this decision was, it became a simple one. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Wellington and at the Canes, but I’m ready for a new direction, and I’m looking forward to being home with my family. “I’ve decided ..read more

COMPLETE SRP Round 12 teams: Friday Chiefs vs Reds, 5.05pm (AEST) – 7.05pm (NZT) The Chiefs have won six of their last seven matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Queensland Reds (L1); each of their last three meetings in that span have been decided by margins no greater than six points on the day. The Chiefs have won each of their last two home matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Queensland Reds; they will be aiming for a third consecutive win in such fixtures for the first time in the history of Super Rugby. The Queensland Reds will be aiming for back-to-back wins o ..read more

Super Rugby Rd 11 teams: Wallabies bolter makes return, key All Blacks duo back from lengthy injuries It’s crunch time for Australia’s sides that want to make a run for the Super Rugby finals. With just five rounds left in the regular season, time is running out to make a genuine push at going deep in this year’s competition. It’s also time for Eddie Jones’ hopefuls to stand up if they want to catch the new Wallabies coach’s eye. Friday Highlanders vs Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium A week after missing touch a couple of times in the second half against the Waratahs, Freddie Burns has been n ..read more

Super Rugby Pacific Round 10 teams: The bye rounds are over with and we’re back to a full program for week 10 of Super Rugby Pacific, including a hectic four game schedule on Saturday. Check out all the teams as they’re named here . Friday Hurricanes vs Brumbies, 5.05pm (AEST) – 7.05pm (NZT) The ACT Brumbies have won their last three games on the bounce against the Hurricanes in Super Rugby competitions after having won only two of their six previous meetings (L4); a fourth straight win against them would equal their longest winning run against the Canes (4 games from 2011 to 2014). The Hur ..read more