Hurricanes player ratings: ‘Explosive’ star adds ‘more pressure’ on NZ Rugby after record-equalling score as All Blacks hopeful ‘dominates’ Beauden Barrett
Ruben Love and Fehi Fineanganofo in action for the Hurricanes.
Following a 47-24 victory over the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park on Saturday, here are the player ratings for the Hurricanes.
15 Callum Harkin: Probably the least effective player in the backline. Mopped up well in backfield and was solid aerially. Harkin also acted as an extra playmaker but there were a few execution errors, particularly in the first half. 5
14 Fehi Fineanganofo: Equalled the record for tries scored in a Super Rugby season when he went over in the second period to add even more pressure on NZ Rugby, who are hoping to keep hold of him despite his deal with Newcastle Red Bulls. Fineanganofo was once again so explosive, creating the try for Jordie Barrett with a surge down the right and having other moments of excellence. Drifted out of the game in the middle part but came back into it to touch down for that historic score. 8
13 Billy Proctor: Was the Hurricanes’ top carrier but that didn’t equate to metres made with the All Blacks centre having a mixed game. Proctor was obviously busy and there were some nice touches as he helped link the attack, but he wasn’t as effective as many of his backline team-mates. 6
Outstanding again
12 Jordie Barrett (c): Superb yet again as the All Blacks star was often the linchpin in the ‘Canes attack. Barrett dovetailed excellently with Ruben Love, sometimes taking on responsibility at first receiver, and had a number of typically excellent moments as they ripped through the Blues defence. 8
11 Kini Naholo: Making his first start since returning from a lengthy absence, there was plenty of promise in Naholo’s game. He looked powerful and quick, showing no signs of the knee and heel injuries which kept him on the sidelines for a year, and he then touched down after the break following an excellent line off Ere Enari. Is only going to get better. 7
10 Ruben Love: Gets plenty of help either side of him but Love took control of the game. The fly-half was composed and his kicking game was excellent, which is crucial if he wants to take the next step up. Very much dominated Beauden Barrett, although the obvious caveat is that the Blues were absolutely dreadful. 8
9 Ere Enari: No Cam Roigard, no problem for the visitors with Enari stepping up to the plate magnificently. Enari’s day started well enough, playing a key role in the Jordie Barrett score, and he continued in that fashion. Was fantastic at the base, mopping up some loose ball exceptionally well, while his delivery was slick and accurate. 9
8 Devan Flanders: Quieter than he has been this Super Rugby Pacific season, suggesting that blindside is very much his best position heading into the play-offs. Flanders still did his job well enough and was particularly useful in the lineout, but he has had much better performances in 2026. 6
Key carrier
7 Peter Lakai: Became more prominent in the carry when the two starting props went off and did so to great effect. Constantly got the Hurricanes over the gain line, despite doing a lot of his work at close quarters, as he used his footwork and athleticism. He also put in a big shift in defence, ending the match as his team’s top tackler. 8
6 Brad Shields: Similar to Flanders, Shields was solid without excelling. He provided a good foil to allow Lakai to thrive in the more spectacular stuff and did his defensive duties. 6
5 Warner Dearns: The Japan international has enjoyed a magnificent season for the Hurricanes and was in fine form in Auckland on Saturday. Powerful with ball in hand, he was always getting over the gain line and was his team’s main target in the lineout. 8
4 Caleb Delany: Excellent around the technical aspects in regards to restarts and lineouts, which helped set a platform for Hurricanes’ talented backline. Also did his work without the ball as he complemented Dearns nicely. 7
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3 Pasilio Tosi: A bruising performance for just over 50 minutes. Tosi was an absolute powerhouse and the Blues could not handle him. There weren’t many scrums but, in the odd time they did pack down, the ‘Canes tighthead was moving forward. 8
2 Asafo Aumua: Like Tosi, the hooker was brutal with ball in hand. Allied to that was his work ethic without the ball – the second most tackles in the team – and his accuracy at the lineout, which was pretty much pinpoint under severe Blues pressure. 8
1 Xavier Numia: Rinse and repeat from Tosi. Numia was utterly dynamic in the loose and went forward in the set-piece for almost an hour as the front-row proved crucial to getting the side on the front foot. 8
Replacements: There were good moments, including from Raymond Tuputupu, who always adds dynamism, and prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, who showed excellent athleticism to cover the danger when the Blues grubber kicked through, but the standard altogether dropped when the bench came on and it almost cost them a bonus-point. Thankfully for the Hurricanes, they refocused in time to snatch it back. 5