2026 Super Rugby Pacific final

2026 Super Rugby Pacific final
Pre-match lineup
Event2026 Super Rugby Pacific season
Hurricanes Chiefs
60 5
Match details
Date20 June 2026
VenueHnry Stadium, Wellington
Man of the MatchRuben Love (Hurricanes)
RefereeNic Berry (Australia)
Attendance34,500
WeatherClear night
15 °C (59 °F)
85% humidity[1]

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific final, stylised as the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, was the final match of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season and the decider of the Finals Series, the 31st season of the Southern Hemisphere's premier rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR. The 31st Super Rugby final, and the ninth all-New Zealand final, it was played on 20 June 2026 at Hnry Stadium, Wellington.[2]

The Hurricanes won their second Super Rugby title after defeating the Chiefs 60–5, a record margin in a Grand Final.[3] The final score surpassed the Bulls 61–17 result against the Chiefs in the 2009 final.[4] Alongside the record-breaking victory in the final, tries from the Hurricanes' Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby saw both players equal the Super Rugby try-scoring record in a season, finishing the campaign with 17 tries apiece.[5][6]

Background

The Hurricanes secured their fourth Super Rugby final appearance with a commanding 57–21 victory over arch-rivals the Blues in the semi-final.[7] It marks their first appearance in the championship decider since the 2016 season,[8] a campaign that, like 2026, saw them finish atop the regular season ladder. During their run to the final, the Hurricanes became the first side in Super Rugby history to score more than 100 tries in a single season,[7] while their tally of 685 points also established a new competition record.[8] Head coach Clark Laidlaw was seeking his first championship title with the Hurricanes.[9] He had previously served as an assistant coach during the club's 2015 season,[10] when the Hurricanes reached the final but suffered a home defeat to the Highlanders.[9] Ahead of the match, Laidlaw remarked that despite finishing atop the league standings and earning home-ground advantage, his side entered the contest as underdogs, citing the Chiefs' three consecutive appearances in the Super Rugby final as evidence of their quality in the competition's knockout matches.[11]

The Chiefs secured their seventh Super Rugby final appearance, following their Semi-final victory against the Crusaders.[12] Going into the semi-final, the Chiefs had lost their last three matches against the Crusaders, including a 33–43 defeat at home earlier in the season, and lost their last five finals encounters against the Christchurch-based team.[13] However, they had been in strong form in the lead up to the match, and had won nine of their last ten fixtures, scoring more than 45 points in each of their previous two games.[13] With this victory, they moved into second place for all-time final appearances in the competition, trailing only the Crusaders and overtaking both the Auckland-based Blues and Canberra-based Brumbies, who had previously shared the mark with six appearances each.[14] This also doubled as their fourth consecutive Super Rugby final,[15][16] a streak only beaten by the Crusaders' seven.[17] They previously won two finals (2012, 2013) and lost four (2009, 2023, 2024, 2025).[14] Coach Jono Gibbes achieved his first Super Rugby final appearance as coach of the Chiefs in his first season in the role[18] (a feat most recently achieved by Vern Cotter in 2024).[19]

In Super Rugby, the Chiefs have won seven of their last ten matches against the Hurricanes, including a 22–17 extra-time victory in Round 10 earlier in the season, and a 30–19 win in the 2024 Super Rugby semi-final.[20] The final will also be the fifth finals meeting between the Hurricanes and Chiefs;[20] the previous four finals encounters were split evenly at two wins each.[20] Despite this, it is the first time they have met in a Super Rugby Grand Final.[20]

Pre-match teams' record[20][21]
Team Wins W%
Hurricanes 24 50
Chiefs 22 45.83
Draws 2 4.17
Total 48

Venue

Hnry Stadium shortly after kickoff.

The Grand Final was hosted by Hnry Stadium, Wellington (Wellington Regional Stadium), the home ground of the Hurricanes.[22] Having finished atop the standings, the Hurricanes earned the right to host the final. It marked Wellington's first Super Rugby final since 2016,[23] when the Hurricanes last hosted the decider against the Lions of Johannesburg.[24]

The Super Rugby Finals Series remained consistent between 2025 and 2026, with both seasons featuring a six-team playoff system. The key difference between the two was in how the "lucky loser" was treated.[25] In 2025, the team dropped only one seeding, meaning it could still retain relatively favourable positioning and, home advantage in later rounds.[26] As in last season's grand final, the Chiefs, whom finished first on the season ladder, were not designated hosts as they had lost their Qualifying final to the sixth-placed Blues, thus losing one seeding rank going into the Semi-finals.[27]

In 2026, this was tightened significantly. The "lucky loser" was now automatically placed as fourth seed, removing any possibility of hosting a Semi-final or Grand Final. As a result, any team progressing after a first-week defeat must play all remaining Finals matches away from home, reinforcing a clearer separation between winners and losers in the knockout phase. However, none of this was applicable for the 2026 final as both first and second-placed teams in the competition did not lose any finals matches.[23]

On 16 June, tickets formally went on sale for the Super Rugby final at Hnry Stadium. Within 15 minutes, all tickets for the 34,500-capacity stadium were sold.[28][29]

Previous finals

Team Previous final appearances (bold indicates winners)
Hurricanes 3 (2006, 2015, 2016)
Chiefs 6 (2009, 2012, 2013, 2023, 2024, 2025)

Route to the final

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).

Hurricanes Round Chiefs
League
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Hurricanes 141103562298+26486449255
2 Chiefs 141103515325+19075496151
3 Crusaders 14806488388+10073555441
4 Blues 14806456412+4468604238
5 Reds 14806364386−2253563237
6 Brumbies 14707402373+2960482434
Opponent Result Finals Opponent Result
Brumbies (H) 66–12 Qualifying finals Reds (H) 46–24
Blues (H) 57–21 Semi-finals Crusaders (H) 49–12

Match

20 June 2026
19:05 NZST (UTC+12)
Hurricanes60–5Chiefs
Try: Moorby (2) 7' m, 44' c
Love (2) 14' c, 67' m
Fineanganofo 24' c
Harkin 38' c
Flanders 48' m
Barrett 54' c
Rova 78' c
Con: Love (6/9) 15', 25', 39', 45', 55', 79'
Pen: Love (1/1) 40+2'		ReportTry: Ah Kuoi 75' m
Hnry Stadium, Wellington[30]
Attendance: 34,500[31]
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)[32]
Hurricanes
Chiefs
FB15 Callum Harkindownward-facing red arrow 58'
RW14 Josh Moorby
OC13 Billy Proctor
IC12 Jordie Barrett (cc)downward-facing red arrow 68'
LW11 Fehi Fineanganofo
FH10 Ruben Love
SH9 Cam Roigarddownward-facing red arrow 64'
N88 Peter Lakai
OF7 Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc)
BF6 Devan Flandersdownward-facing red arrow 55'
RL5 Warner Dearnsdownward-facing red arrow 55'
LL4 Isaia Walker-Leawere
TP3 Pasilio Tosidownward-facing red arrow 50'
HK2 Asafo Aumuadownward-facing red arrow 66'
LP1 Xavier Numiadownward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutes:
HK16 Jacob Deveryupward-facing green arrow 66'
PR17 Siale Lauakiupward-facing green arrow 58'
PR18 Tyrel Lomaxupward-facing green arrow 50'
LF19 Brad Shieldsupward-facing green arrow 55'
LF20 Brayden Ioseupward-facing green arrow 55'
SH21 Ere Enariupward-facing green arrow 64'
CE22 Jone Rovaupward-facing green arrow 68'
WG23 Kini Naholoupward-facing green arrow 58'
Coach:
Clark Laidlaw
FB15 Liam Coombes-Fabling
RW14 Leroy Carter
OC13 Kyle Browndownward-facing red arrow 50'
IC12 Quinn Tupaea
LW11 Kyren Taumoefolaudownward-facing red arrow 50'
FH10 Damian McKenzie
SH9 Cortez Ratimadownward-facing red arrow 55'
N88 Simon Parkerdownward-facing red arrow 63'
OF7 Luke Jacobson (c)
BF6 Samipeni Finaudownward-facing red arrow 66'
RL5 Tupou Vaa'idownward-facing red arrow 46'
LL4 Josh Lord
TP3 Sione Ahiodownward-facing red arrow 23'
HK2 Samisoni Taukei'ahodownward-facing red arrow 55'
LP1 Ollie Norrisdownward-facing red arrow 50'
Substitutes:
HK16 Brodie McAlisterupward-facing green arrow 55'
PR17 Jared Proffitupward-facing green arrow 50'
PR18 George Dyerupward-facing green arrow 23'
LK19 Naitoa Ah Kuoiupward-facing green arrow 46'
LF20 Kaylum Boshierupward-facing green arrow 63'
SH21 Xavier Roeupward-facing green arrow 55'
FH22 Josh Jacombupward-facing green arrow 50'
CE23 Reon Paulupward-facing green arrow 50'
Coach:
Jono Gibbes

Man of the Match:
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)[6]
Assistant referees:[32]
Reuben Keane (Australia)
Louis Trisley (Australia)
Television match official:[32]
Brett Cronan (Australia)

Statistics

Overall[33][34]
Statistic Hurricanes Chiefs
Tries scored 9 1
Possession 57% 43%
Territory 59% 41%
Kicks 22 16
Carries 170 123
Metres carried 761 456
Tackles 166 193
Tackles missed 31 54
Tackle success 84% 78%
Offloads 22 3
Penalties conceded 8 4
Lineouts won 3/5 (60%) 4/7 (57%)
Scrums won 12 (100%) 7 (100%)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pipitea Extended Weather Forecast and Observations – MetService New Zealand". MetService. 20 June 2026. Archived from the original on 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Hurricanes and Chiefs to contest Grand Final". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 13 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Lee, Henry (20 June 2026). "Hurricanes end decade-long wait with resounding 55-point final win over Chiefs". RugbyPass. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Hurricanes blow Chiefs away in windy Welly to win Super Rugby Pacific title". Radio New Zealand. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hurricanes claim 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title with record victory over Chiefs". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 Williamson, Nathan (20 June 2026). "Hurricanes claim 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title with record victory over Chiefs". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  7. 1 2 Worthington, Sam (13 June 2026). "Hurricanes shatter try record to set up mouthwatering grand final". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Hurricanes say Chiefs favourites for Super Rugby final". Rugby.com.au. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  9. 1 2 Knowler, Richard (31 May 2023). "'The pain stays with you': New Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has point to prove". Stuff. Stuff Ltd.
  10. ↑ "Clark Laidlaw extends stay with Hurricanes to 2027". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 19 March 2026. Prior to his appointment as Hurricanes head coach, the former Scottish sevens international – who became a New Zealand citizen late last year – had previously been an assistant coach at the club between 2013 and 2015.
  11. ↑ Kyriacou, Adam (14 June 2026). "The reason Hurricanes boss is quick to claim underdog tag ahead of Super Rugby Pacific final and why Jordie Barrett has been 'the difference' this season". Planet Rugby.
  12. ↑ Napier, Liam (12 June 2026). "Chiefs v Crusaders: Chiefs march into Super Rugby Pacific final with 37-point win". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Match Pack | Chiefs–Crusaders | Opta Stats". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 12 June 2026. p. 1. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Past Winners | Super Rugby". super.rugby. SANZAAR.
  15. ↑ "Reigning champs flogged as Chiefs surge into another final". Nine.com.au. 12 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via Reuters. The red-hot Chiefs have surged into a fourth-straight Super Rugby Pacific final, knocking off reigning champions the Crusaders on Friday night.
  16. ↑ Dine, Jonty (12 June 2026). "Super Rugby Pacific semifinals: Chiefs end Crusaders reign". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 13 June 2026. Now into a fourth straight final, the side have the opportunity to banish the demons of three consecutive defeats in the big dance.
  17. ↑ "And That Makes Seven". crusaders.co.nz. Crusaders. 29 June 2023.
  18. ↑ Lee, Henry (14 June 2026). "Jono Gibbes on the Luke Jacobson message that flipped the Chiefs' season". RugbyPass. Retrieved 14 June 2026. Gibbes, who will take charge of his first Super Rugby Pacific final as a head coach, said that the semi-final performance was building from the last time the two teams met.
  19. ↑ McConnell, Lynn (24 June 2024). "Mastermind Cotter: How the Blues achieved title glory". superrugby.co.nz. SANZAAR.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Match Pack | Hurricanes–Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific 2026". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 16 June 2026. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Hurricanes–Chiefs | Match List & Results | Rugby Database". rugbydatabase.co.nz.
  22. ↑ "Hurricanes storm into grand final with brilliant win over Blues". 1News. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Hurricanes end 10-year wait to set up Chiefs Grand Final showdown". Pacific Media Network. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Hurricanes claim maiden Super Rugby title with victory over Lions". The Guardian. 6 August 2016 – via Reuters.
  25. ↑ "Super Rugby celebrates 30th anniversary, unveils 2026 season draw". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 28 August 2025. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025.
  26. ↑ "New finals system headlines refreshed Super Rugby Pacific format". SANZAAR (Press release). 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024.
  27. ↑ Rovoi, Christine (8 June 2025). "Blues stun Chiefs in last-minute win as Super semi-finals' matchups confirmed". Pacific Media Network. Despite being the top team during the regular season, the Chiefs will enter the semi-finals as the second seed due to their status as the 'lucky loser'.
  28. ↑ "Full house! Super Rugby Pacific final tickets snapped up in 15 minutes". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 16 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final sells out in 15 minutes". Rugby.com.au. 16 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Hurricanes and Chiefs to contest Grand Final". SANZAAR (Press release). 13 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Hurricanes pound the Chiefs in Wellington to win their first Super Rugby title in a decade". Stuff. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 "2026 Super Rugby Pacific Teams: Grand Final". SANZAAR. 17 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  33. ↑ "Match Centre | Super Rugby | Hurricanes–Chiefs". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  34. ↑ "Hurricanes vs Chiefs | Match Stats | Super Rugby". RugbyPass. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
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