The top-seeded Hurricanes will host the sixth-ranked ACT Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night as the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying finals begin, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
The Hurricanes enter the playoffs after a dominant regular season in which they won 11 of 14 matches and scored 562 points, averaging more than 40 points per game. Despite a 47-14 loss to the Crusaders last weekend, coach Clark Laidlaw had already secured the minor premiership and rested several key players.
Laidlaw has named a near full-strength side for the knockout clash, with co-captains Du’Plessis Kirifi and Jordie Barrett returning to the starting lineup.
“It’s great to have such a strong squad available at this time of the year,” Laidlaw said. “With so much of our squad having shared experiences over the last few years of the knockout stages, it gives us real confidence around our preparation and how we play.”
The Brumbies arrive in Wellington after finishing the regular season with seven wins and seven losses. Their preparations were disrupted by a surprise 21-19 defeat to Moana Pasifika last weekend.
Coach Stephen Larkham has made two changes to his starting side, bringing in hooker Lachlan Lonergan and flanker Luke Reimer.
The Brumbies have enjoyed recent finals success against the Hurricanes, winning three of the teams’ last four playoff meetings. However, all of those victories came in Canberra, making Friday’s encounter a different challenge.
Laidlaw said his side had “a huge amount of respect” for the Brumbies and expected a physical contest.
The winner will progress directly to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. Under the competition format, the highest-ranked losing team from the qualifying finals will also advance.
Confirmed Hurricanes lineup
- Callum Harkin
- Josh Moorby
- Billy Proctor
- Jordie Barrett (co-captain)
- Kini Naholo
- Ruben Love
- Cam Roigard
- Peter Lakai
- Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain)
- Brad Shields
- Warner Dearns
- Caleb Delany
- Pasilio Tosi
- Asafo Aumua
- Xavier Numia
Confirmed Brumbies lineup
- Tom Wright
- Andy Muirhead
- Hudson Creighton
- David Feliuai
- Corey Toole
- Declan Meredith
- Ryan Lonergan
- Charlie Cale
- Luke Reimer
- Rob Valetini
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Lachlan Shaw
- Allan Alaalatoa (captain)
- Lachlan Lonergan
- James Slipper
Match details
- Venue: Hnry Stadium
- Date: Friday, June 5
- Kick-off: 5.05pm AEST (7.05pm NZST)
- Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Fans can follow updates through official Super Rugby Pacific channels and their respective team platforms.
