At Hnry Stadium, Wellington: Hurricanes 66 (Caleb Delany 7’, Cam Roigard 11’, 39’ Billy Proctor 28’, Warner Dearns 33’, 48’, Ngane Punivai 60’, 72, 78’ tries; Ruben Love 9 con, pen) Brumbies 12 (Corey Toole 35’ Tane Edmed 52’; Ryan Lonergan con). HT. 38-7.
The Hurricanes will host the lucky loser in a Super Rugby Pacific semifinal in Wellington next weekend after dismantling the Brumbies on a wet and windy night in the capital.
Clark Laidlaw’s side banished some qualifying-final demons, avenging playoff defeats to the same opposition in 2022, 2023 and 2025 with a record 66-12 victory on Friday.
The lopsided result extended the Hurricanes’ unbeaten record in 2026 and left them just two wins away from a second Super Rugby title.
Replacement winger Ngane Punivai scored a second-half hat-trick after entering the game in the 54th minute, highlighting the Hurricanes’ ridiculous depth out wide and creating a headache for Laidlaw with Fehi Fineanganofo due back from injury.
