Hurricanes reach Super Rugby Final with 57-21 win over Blues

Hurricanes 57-21 Blues, Hnry Stadium

The Hurricanes booked their place in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final with a commanding 57-21 win over the Blues at Hnry Stadium.

The result sends the Hurricanes into the decider against the Chiefs after a match that was tight in the first half but turned into a one-sided contest after the break.

The Blues led for long periods in the opening 40 minutes and threatened to cause an upset, but the Hurricanes’ attacking power proved far too strong in the second half.

Blues Keep First Half Tight

The Hurricanes started brightly when Cam Roigard shook off Beauden Barrett’s mid-air tackle and broke clear from a quick penalty tap in the opening minute.

Jordie Barrett soon put the hosts on the scoreboard from close range with the opening try. The Blues responded well and edged in front through a pair of All Blacks. Caleb Clarke broke the line before captain Patrick Tuipulotu dived over on the next phase.

The Hurricanes answered through flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi from a maul as the Blues were forced into changes, with AJ Lam and Clarke leaving the field after failed head injury assessments.

Replacement Payton Spencer then gave the Blues another lift. He kicked ahead for Cole Forbes and supported the winger well to finish the move. But the Hurricanes regained control before half-time when Xavier Numia powered over from close range, giving the hosts a 19-14 lead at the break.

Hurricanes Pull Away After Break

The second half belonged completely to the Hurricanes. Their pressure on the Blues’ line produced the platform for Roigard to score, before Josh Moorby broke away and later finished the move himself making it 31-14.

Asafo Aumua then charged over for another try, completing a burst of three tries in 10 minutes and leaving the Hurricanes firmly in control making it 38-14.

The hosts kept piling on points as Ere Enari touched down, before Kini Naholo brought up the half-century with nine minutes remaining. Moorby then added the final flourish, finishing his second try after slick handling from the Hurricanes attack.

The win also saw the Hurricanes become the first team to score 100 tries in a Super Rugby season. It sends them into their first final since their 2016 title-winning campaign.