Hurricanes Secure Top Spot in Super Rugby Standings
The Hurricanes have taken a commanding lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings, edging out the defending champion Crusaders in a thrilling match that saw a controversial try from in-form winger Fehi Fineanganofo. This victory extended the Hurricanes’ unbeaten record at Henry Stadium in 2026 and put them on track for a top-of-the-table finish, which would secure home advantage throughout the playoffs.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading tries. However, a late first-half burst proved decisive, as the Hurricanes claimed their eighth win of the season. They also benefited from a highly contentious forward-pass call that sparked significant debate among fans and analysts alike.
After a quiet opening hour, Fineanganofo scored a try that was initially questioned due to an offload from Isaia Walker-Leawere. The try survived a TMO review for a potential forward pass, bringing his season tally to 15. He is now just one try short of the single-season record held by Ben Lam and Joe Roff. Had he not gifted a try to a teammate in the opener, he would already be level with the record holders.
Referee James Doleman addressed Crusaders captain David Havili, stating, “Obviously we checked the last pass but we don’t believe it’s clearly and obviously forward out of the hands.” Despite this, many fans and analysts were not convinced.
Former Crusaders halfback and Sky Sport analyst Justin Marshall was adamant that the referee had made a mistake. “James Doleman is trying to convince himself this isn’t forward, and he’s not doing the right thing,” Marshall said on the Sky Sport broadcast. “That pass has not gone backwards.”
The Crusaders struck first in Havili’s 150th game, threatening an upset. Leicester Fainga’anuku powered over in the eighth minute after being named at openside flanker, despite the late loss of centre Braydon Ennor before kickoff.
Hurricanes co-captain and opposite No 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi responded midway through the half after a quick-tap penalty from Cam Roigard shifted momentum. Ruben Love and Taha Kemara exchanged penalties, and the half appeared headed for a 10-10 stalemate before the Hurricanes struck twice in four minutes to open a 14-point lead.
Billy Proctor pounced on a loose ball from a Love bomb on halfway. Peter Lakai broke through and offloaded to Josh Moorby, who ran in his fourth try in three games to take his season tally to eight.
Moments later, Brayden Iose surged down the left and chipped ahead, allowing Roigard to gather and score. Love converted to give the Hurricanes a healthy halftime buffer—a decisive stretch in the wash-up.
Noah Hotham brought the Crusaders back within a converted try early in the second half, darting over from the base of the ruck after catching the defence napping. Rivez Reihana, on for Kemara at the break, added the extras.
Havili endured a tough night in his milestone match, kicking dead early and later out on the full—the latter handing the Hurricanes field position that led to replacement hooker Raymond Tutuptu’s 53rd-minute try. The teams continued to trade blows, with Reihana converting his own try after a powerful midfield surge.
After Fineanganofo’s contentious try stood, the Crusaders hit back through Dom Gardiner to cut the deficit to seven, ensuring the forward-pass decision will dominate debate for the rest of the weekend.
What’s Next
The Crusaders will host the Blues under the roof at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch next Friday, while the Hurricanes will have the opportunity to rest some of their frontline players after a brutal run of fixtures when they travel to face the last-place Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
