Hurricanes crush Chiefs 60-5 to clinch Super Rugby Pacific title

Hurricanes 60-5 Chiefs, Wellington

The Hurricanes delivered a stunning Grand Final performance to beat the Chiefs 60-5 in Wellington and complete a near-perfect Super Rugby Pacific season.

The hosts were dominant from start to finish, producing their best display of 2026 on the biggest stage. Their 55-point winning margin was the biggest in a Super Rugby decider, surpassing the Bulls’ 61-17 win over the Chiefs in 2009.

The Chiefs received a boost before kick-off when captain Luke Jacobson passed a late fitness test, but that was one of the few positives for the visitors.

The Hurricanes mastered the blustery conditions quickly. Moorby opened the scoring in the sixth minute, briefly drawing level with the single-season try record with his 16th of the year.

Love then added a classy try eight minutes later, picking up a loose ball before stepping past the covering defender to score.

The Chiefs struggled badly with the conditions, twice sending restarts dead, and the Hurricanes kept punishing them. Fineanganofo then made history when he backed up Callum Harkin and dived over for his 17th try of the season to make it 19-0.

Hosts Build Huge Half-Time Lead

The Chiefs had their best chance around the 30-minute mark but were held up over the line. As half-time approached, the Hurricanes lifted the tempo again.

Callum Harkin crossed late in the half before Love landed a long-range penalty, giving the Hurricanes a commanding 29-0 lead at the break. It was the biggest half-time lead in a Super Rugby final.

Hurricanes Complete The Rout

The Hurricanes continued their charge after the restart. Moorby scored his second try of the night to join Fineanganofo on 17 tries for the season.

Devan Flanders then ran a strong line off Love to score after returning from a concussion layoff, before Jordie Barrett added another try as the home crowd moved into celebration mode making it 48-0.

Love produced the highlight of the night when Peter Lakai’s break set up a short-side attack. The fly-half somehow stayed in play while somersaulting over a defender to score his second try and bring up 50 points for the Hurricanes.

The Chiefs avoided being held scoreless when Naitoa Ah Kuoi crossed late, but Jone Rova had the final say with a last-minute try to complete a remarkable 60-5 victory.

Team line up:

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo,10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia

Reserves: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Siale Lauaki, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jone Rova, 23 Kini Naholo

Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Sione Ahio, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris

Reserves: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Reon Paul