Hurricanes

Playoff places set as upsets mark Super Rugby Pacific final round

The 27-22 victory concluded a day of drama in the final round of the regular season and sent the Force above the Highlanders into the eighth and final spot in the playoffs.

The Highlanders only need to avoid defeat against the Melbourne Rebels in Sunday's last match of the round, however, to leapfrog the Force and earn a quarter-final fixture against the Blues at Eden Park next week.

Waratahs unable to identify spectator who abused Hurricane

The 25-year-old, whose father is Samoan, raised his middle finger at the crowd after the Hurricanes' 22-18 win and said it was in reaction to racial slurs.

"I love when the crowds are hyped and throw chat from the stands. But there's a line and just because you're in the crowd doesn't give you the right to talk about my mother or my race," Kirifi wrote on social media.

"Abuse from the sideline is part of our job, and it's a part I personally love - however, this doesn't justify racial slurs or comments about my family."

Rampant Hurricanes crush Fijian Drua

Playing at pace, the Hurricanes chalked up a staggering eleven tries to the visitors single consolation effort at Sky Stadium.

Back on home soil, the Wellington side had plenty of room to run in attack, securing a 26-nil lead by half-time.

Fullback Josh Moorby scored a hat-trick, with two tries each to Billy Proctor and Wes Goosen.

Of note, the Hurricanes welcomed veterans Dane Coles and 108-test All Blacks prop Owen Franks off the bench.

Franks was making his Hurricanes debut after recovering from a torn Achilles.

Drua coach makes nine changes to team to play the Hurricanes

There are nine changes to the starting line-up from the side that took on the Highlanders last week.

"We're preparing for a very physical game this week against a very good Hurricanes team. The boys are really wanting to get out there this week to show the Wellington crowd and our fans in New Zealand what they can do," said Byrne.

In the front row, prop Haereiti Hetet retains his loosehead prop position, joined by Zuriel Togiatama at hooker and Samuela Tawake at tighthead. Isoa Nasilasila partners Sorovakatini Tuifagalele in the second row.

Hurricanes get All Blacks veteran back while another makes debut

Coles who's played 128 games for the Hurricanes will finally take the field having recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered on the All Blacks Northern Tour at the end of last year.

"We've taken it slowly with him to make sure he's 100% when he comes back, and he's absolutely flying around the place now," said coach Jason Holland.

There are some obvious things with Colesy, about what he'll bring in creating a bit of edge around the group and the way he leads, which is great for our boys. He's dying to play and dying to contribute."

Hurricanes complete impressive comeback over Reds

Trailing 17-0 after half-an-hour, they scored 30 unanswered points to complete a 30-17 win over the Queensland Reds in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Two first half yellow cards didn't help the Canes' cause, as the Queensland side scored a pair of early tries to put themselves in the box seat.

However, once the New Zealand side were back to the full complement, they bagged two tries of their own to be just three points adrift at the break.

Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes 22, Highlanders 21

The Highlanders are set to welcome the Hurricanes to Dunedin for a final New Zealand derby before both sides take on the Australian leg of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The two sides met in Round Three with the Hurricanes finishing the match victorious in a 21-14 win.

The Hurricanes will come into the game with added motivation having narrowly missed out on a win against the Crusaders in the last round.

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has named a refreshed lineup with only seven players remaining from the starting line-up that played the Crusaders.

Blues thump Chiefs to win six straight as Crusaders pip Hurricanes

The visitors overcame three yellow cards, two of which reduced them to 13 men for a period in the first half, to claim their sixth successive win.

The Blues defence was impressive, they didn't let the Chiefs score while they were missing players to the sin bin.

The Blues scored a length of the field try to Tom Robinson, which was sparked by Mark Telea and Rieko Ioane and included a Beauden Barrett cross-field kick.

It's the first time the Chiefs have failed to score a point in their 26-year history.

Chiefs hold off Hurricanes

The Hurricanes, led by captain Ardie Savea who scored an impressive try, fought back from 30-15 down in the final 15 minutes but couldn't take the lead from the Chiefs who have now beaten them three times in a row.

The Hurricanes, back at home for the first time in almost a year, will be disappointed following their upset loss to Moana Pasifika last round.

The Chiefs now have four wins from six games while the Hurricanes have two wins from five.

The Crusaders and Blues are the best performing New Zealand sides with each recording five wins from six games.

 

Hurricanes ready to roll again in Super Rugby Pacific

Last weekend's match against Moana Pasifika was postponed as they were unable to field a side because of the virus.

There is a chance that this weekend's game against the Chiefs in Wellington will be pushed back a day until Sunday.

The game is scheduled for Saturday night, but the Hurricanes coach assistant Chris Gibbes said there are discussions about delaying it a day.

"From our perspective having an extra day with the game on Sunday would be massively beneficial for us so hopefully we can get that across the line.