Hurricanes (1) v Brumbies (6), Hnry Stadium, Wellington, June 5, 2026, 7.05pm
Regular season winners, the Hurricanes, have plenty of reasons to be prepared for the challenge the Brumbies will provide in the first of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific playoffs in Wellington on Friday.
Resting key players in their final regular season game last week against the Crusaders resulted in a 47-14 loss, their worst result in a decade, while their playoff record against the Brumbies features three consecutive losses in their most recent meetings. However, in their only playoff game in Wellington in 2015, the Hurricanes won 29-9.
The Brumbies need to achieve a breakthrough of their own in the game, as they have never won a playoff game in New Zealand in their nine attempts.
Returning to full strength, the Hurricanes will field a front row of props Pasilio Tosi and Xavier Numia with hooker Asafo Aumua. Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns will lock while co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi returns from a shoulder injury to spearhead the loose trio, where Brad Shields will be on the blindside flank with Peter Lakai at No8.
Cam Roigard and Ruben Love will resume their partnership at halfback and first five-eighths. Jordie Barrett is over a hamstring injury and will join Billy Proctor in the midfield with Kini Naholo on the left wing, Josh Moorby on the right and Callum Harkin at fullback.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “We’re delighted with the squad we’ve been able to name this week.
“We’re expecting the best version of the Brumbies. They’ve got a heap of experience around playoff rugby, whether that’s their coaches or players.
“We’re where we want to be and are certainly ready to play. We’ve had a lot of bodies at training. They’re fit and healthy, with great competition at training.
“The Brumbies have a good set piece, their lineout maul is often a real weapon, they’ve got smart halfbacks around their kicking game, and they have good variation when they move the ball. And they’ve got a lot of experience in the playoffs.”
The Brumbies are also looking to overcome a last-round loss after going down 19-21 to Moana Pasifika at home last week.
But they have made only two starting changes to the team. Hooker Lachlan Lonergan will start, and Luke Reimer will start on the flank of the scrum.
Coach Stephen Larkham knows that while history has seen the Brumbies dominant in games at home, crossing the Tasman is a different prospect, and the Hurricanes beat them 45-12 during the Super weekend in Christchurch.
Confidence from previous results should not be a factor, he said.
“Confidence doesn’t last very long. It might get you into the game, but the reality of the game will either take your confidence away or maintain it. It’s not something we’re going to speak about.
“It might be in some players’ heads, but the most important thing is that they stay connected on the field.
“We’ve had a good record against New Zealand teams over the last couple of years over here, so we want to treat it like any other away game.”
Crusaders (3) v Blues (4), ONE NZ Stadium, Christchurch, June 6, 4.35pm
Getting up to pip the Blues for third place, and to claim a home playoff against them, was a mark of the depth of belief in the defending champion Crusaders.
However, some key injuries have hit the side.
Props Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder have been forced out. George Bower will move to tighthead prop with Finlay Brewis on the loosehead. Gus Brown is in line for a debut from the bench.
At first five-eighths Taha Kemara will start while Braydon Ennor has been named on the bench.
Coach Rob Penney said it was the younger players who showed their worth in the last games of the regular season, helping the Crusaders get through.
“We’ve had 11 debutants this year. We’ve had to go deep into the squad, but it creates a well for coming seasons.
“There are a number of people you could name who are hitting form at a good time. We’re getting the cohesion you need, and we’re in a good frame of mind without being cocky.
Penney is wary of the Blues, despite their recent run of losses.
“They’ll be disappointed with the last three or four weeks, but they’re capable. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.
“They’ll be hurting [after their loss to the Chiefs]. They’ve got some big names back. They’ll be a threat.”
The Blues have been strengthened from the side beaten by the Chiefs in their last game through the return of lock and captain Patrick Tuipulotu and hooker Bradley Slater.
They will be without first five-eighths Beauden Barrett, who is still hampered by a quad strain, with Stephen Perofeta starting again.
Veteran prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi will become the most capped Blues player in his 164th game, passing Keven Mealamu’s mark. And hooker Eli Oudenryn, who debuted last week, has retained his place on the bench.
Coach Vern Cotter said finals rugby reflected a side's group dynamic.
“We’ve worked hard to get here, and now it’s about embracing the challenge that comes with a high-stakes game.
“The Crusaders have consistently been one of the benchmark teams in this competition, and we know what awaits us in Christchurch.
“The key is staying focused on our roles, bringing energy to the contest and backing the work we’ve put in throughout the season.”
Chiefs (2) v Reds (5), FMG Stadium, Hamilton, June 6 2026, 7.05pm
Seven All Blacks have returned for the Chiefs for their qualifying final against the Reds in Hamilton.
Captain Luke Jacobson will return to openside flanker, and Damian McKenzie is back at first five-eighths after recovering from a concussion.
In the pack, the only non-All Black is prop Sione Ahio, as locks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i are reunited while prop Ollie Norris, hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and blindside flanker Simon Parker return.
McKenzie, who is playing his 149th Super Rugby game, said, “At the start of the year, you want to get to this end of the season and be in contention. We’ve put ourselves in contention, and now it’s about focusing on what’s in front of us. The boys are excited to rip into this weekend.
“It speaks volumes about the depth we have here. We have the mindset of the next man up, and when guys get an opportunity, they make the most of it.
The Reds know they need to overcome a 0-21 Australian record in playoffs on New Zealand soil going into the weekend. Their last two playoff games resulted in 0-28 losses to the Chiefs and 0-27 to the Crusaders.
Coach Les Kiss said, “We’re a team now that handles those things a lot better. These boys are hungry for a win, and want to take another step forward. That’s the mission. We’ve got to stand up and then let’s see.”
Missing from action will be utility forward Seru Uru, who has a back injury, and second five-eighths Hunter Paisami, who has a knee injury. Filipo Daugunu and Joe Brial will replace them, respectively. Hooker Josh Nasser and fullback Jock Campbell are back from a week’s rest.
Although wet conditions are forecast for Hamilton, lock Jock Canham believes the Reds can cope with that.
“We’ve got a plan, got belief, got confidence. It’s a big game for them [the Chiefs] as well. They don’t want to be a team that loses at home. We can scare them. It’s got the makings of a classic contest.”
