Hurricanes (rugby union)

Hurricanes

Union	New Zealand Rugby Union
Nickname(s)	The 'Canes
Founded	1996; 28 years ago (1996)
Location	Wellington, New Zealand
Region	East Coast Hawke's Bay Horowhenua Kapiti Manawatū Poverty Bay Wairarapa-Bush Whanganui Wellington
Ground(s)	Sky Stadium (Capacity: 34,500)
Coach(es)	Clark Laidlaw
Captain(s)	Brad Shields
Most caps	TJ Perenara (155)
Top scorer	Beauden Barrett (1238)
League(s)	Super Rugby Pacific
2024	Semi-finalist 1st overall
Team kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.hurricanes.co.nz

The Hurricanes (/ˈhʌrɪkeɪnz/ HURR-ik-aynz;^[1] Māori: Hau Āwhiowhio;^[2] formerly the Wellington Hurricanes) is a New Zealand professional men's rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in Super Rugby. The Hurricanes were formed to represent the lower North Island, including the East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatū, Poverty Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington unions. They currently play at Sky Stadium (formerly named Westpac Stadium), having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park.^[3]

The Hurricanes had a poor first season in 1996's Super 12, but rebounded in 1997 with a third placing. The team did not reach the play-offs for another five years as they struggled in the bottom four of the table. Since 2003 the Hurricanes have made the post-season play-offs seven times out of fourteen seasons, including the 2006 final, which they lost in foggy weather against the Crusaders 19–12. After hosting but failing to win the final in 2015, the 2016 season was the Hurricanes' best season to date. They won the final 20-3 against the Lions, after again finishing the regular season first and hosting the final.

The Hurricanes were formed in 1996 as one of five New Zealand Super 12 teams, and were originally called the Wellington Hurricanes. The team's first coach was former All Black Frank Oliver, while Bull Allen was named as captain. Their first match, played at Palmerston North Showgrounds against the Auckland Blues, was the first ever Super 12 match. They lost it 36–28. The team performed below expectations in the inaugural year of the competition and finished ninth. In 1997 the team made the semi-finals, losing in Canberra to the ACT Brumbies. However the consistent form shown during this season would not be seen again for many years.

Following their 1997 season, the Hurricanes failed to qualify for the semi-finals until 2003. Despite this, they were still known for the attacking nature of their backline that included the All Blacks stars Tana Umaga and Christian Cullen. The team played with flair and could score at any moment, whatever their position on the field, giving rise to the teams catch cry of 'expect the unexpected'. However the team struggled for consistent performances and at crunch time in matches, leading to patchy form and results.

After the 1999 World Cup, Jonah Lomu's contract with the NZRU expired he was linked to many clubs around the world, in rugby league as well as union and also the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.^[4] On 23 November 1999 it was announced that the winger had re-signed with the NZRU and agreed terms with the Wellington Rugby Union, despite a reported a £1.1 million offer by Bristol.^[4][5] The move to the Wellington union meant he could be included in the protected group of players for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes also opened 2000 with a new stadium. The highlights of that year included the victory over eventual champions the Crusaders, 41–29, in front of a packed house. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the Bulls to stay in contention. However, the Hurricanes played one of their worst games of the year, losing the match to one of the worst performing teams at that point in the competition's history and lost the possibility of qualifying for the semi-finals. The team finished eighth on the table.

Despite the Wellington Lions (whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC,^[6] the Hurricanes finished ninth in the final standings in 2001; one worse than the year before. Another ninth placing in 2002 resulted in Graham Mourie, who had led the team since 2000, resigning.^[7]

This section needs expansion with: Information from 2006 onward. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011)

In spite of reports that Colin Cooper, the then Crusaders assistant-coach, had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the South Island franchise,^[8] the Hurricanes were able to lure him away from the champions and made him their head coach for the 2003 season.

Cooper, along with newly appointed captain Tana Umaga, helped to mould the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in the competition.^[9] 2003 was the beginning of a new era for the Hurricanes as they reached the semi-finals for just the second time in their history on the back of a strong seven-game winning streak mid-season. Their success came partly with the break-out year for mid-fielder Ma'a Nonu, his strong performances and partnership with captain Tana Umaga pushed out former All Black Pita Alatini and saw him score six tries en route to the All Black squad. The team also benefited from the steady hand of David Holwell at first five-eighth and an improving and mobile forward pack. Hurricanes stalwart Christian Cullen would leave New Zealand shores for Irish club Munster after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup squad, despite scoring eight tries during the season.

All Black great Jonah Lomu was left out of the 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a kidney transplant. He would never again play for the Hurricanes.

The majority of the team was retained< for 2005.^[10] including new centre Conrad Smith.^[11] The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth was the real "find" of the season, scoring 139 points, which helped offset the departure of David Holwell to Ireland. The Hurricanes had tried to sign Australian playmaker Brock James, who had starred the previous NPC season for Taranaki^[12] and the Blues, and young star Luke McAlister indicated that he would like to play in Wellington.^[13] With both Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger at the Crusaders capable of playing first five-eighth the team also made an attempt to lure Andrew Mehrtens to Wellington, without success.

In 2006 two new teams entered the competition, the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs from South Africa and the Perth-based Western Force from Australia, creating the Super 14. Rodney So'oialo was appointed captain of the Hurricanes to succeed former All Black captain Tana Umaga.^[14] The team won all but four matches. They made their first Super Rugby final but lost to the Crusaders in a match played under thick fog. Following the match there was an incident in a nightclub involving Chris Masoe and Tana Umaga. The club finances benefitted from on-pitch success, with NZ$1.36 million profit on its 2006 turnover of NZ$7.44 million.

The Hurricanes returned to the semi-finals in both 2008 and 2009, however were unable to capture the same success in subsequent seasons.^[15] 2011 saw the arrival of Mark Hammett as coach and the departure of Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu.

The Hurricanes finished 11th in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

2015 saw the Hurricanes finish first in the regular season, topping the table with 66 points and a win–loss record of 14–2 in round robin play. The Hurricanes picked up the New Zealand Conference trophy after beating the Highlanders. After beating the Brumbies in the semi-final, the Hurricanes lost the final against the Highlanders 21–14. It was the final Super Rugby match for Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush – all Hurricanes that have played over 100 caps.

On 8 December 2015, Rugby World Cup-winning hooker Dane Coles was named captain for the 2016 season. Rugby World Cup-winning halfback TJ Perenara was named as vice-captain.^[16]

2016 was a big year for the Hurricanes finishing first overall on the points table, despite sitting in 7th going into the final round of the regular season. This saw them go into the quarter-finals against the Sharks winning 41-0 at Wellington Regional Stadium. They carried on to the semi-finals playing the Chiefs and winning 25-9 at Wellington Regional Stadium. The Hurricanes played the Lions in the final, winning the game 20-3 at Wellington Regional Stadium. This was the first time in Super Rugby history that the Hurricanes won the title. It was Victor Vito's final and 100th game for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes looked to win another championship title in 2017, taking out 12 of 15 games and making it to the quarter-finals against the Brumbies, which the Hurricanes won 16-35. However, in the semi-finals they were defeated by the Lions, who they defeated in the 2016 final.

In 2018, the Hurricanes won 11 of 16 round robin matches, which put them into the quarter-finals against a very tough Chiefs side. The Hurricanes narrowly defeated the Chiefs 32-31. But once again, the Hurricanes failed to make it past the semi-finals, losing to the Crusaders 30-12

2019 saw the Hurricanes win 12, draw 1 and lose 3. This result took them to the quarter-finals and they faced the Bulls, which was tight but the Hurricanes won 35-28. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders again in a tight battle in Christchurch (30-26)

After 7 rounds of 2020, the Hurricanes finished 3rd in the NZ conference and 6th overall. The competition was suspended after 7 rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a domestic Super Rugby competition was formed in New Zealand called Super Rugby Aotearoa, which kicked off in June 2020. The Hurricanes finished 3rd overall, winning 5 and losing 3. A notable moment from the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 was that they ended the Crusaders' 18 match home winning streak, defeating them 32-34 in Round 7.

Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 hasn't been so fortunate to the Hurricanes. They have only won one match, which was a 30-19 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The Hurricanes play the majority of their home matches at the 34,500 capacity Sky Stadium (formerly named Westpac Stadium) on Wellington's waterfront. The stadium is affectionately known as The Cake-Tin due to its distinctive shape. It was opened in 2000 to replace Athletic Park, where the team had been previously based.

Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North and McLean Park in Napier have also played host to Hurricanes home matches. In the initial years of the competition the Hurricanes played once, or occasionally twice, away from their Wellington base depending on whether they had home five or six games per year. However, in recent years, the team has seldom ventured from Sky Stadium, playing at-most one match per year in Palmerston North or Napier.

Wellington	Palmerston North	Napier
Sky Stadium	Central Energy Trust Arena	McLean Park
Capacity: 40,000	Capacity: 15,000	Capacity: 22,000

The team represents the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. In 2013, Taranaki severed its ties with the club, signing its allegiance to the Chiefs in the hope of attracting Chiefs home matches to New Plymouth.^[17]

In 2012, it was announced that a new company, Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership, had purchased a licence from the NZRU to operate the club.^[18]

While the NZRU retains ownership of the team, as well as control of the contracts of the players and head coach, the licensee is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations. Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership is a joint venture between the Wellington Rugby Football Union owning 50 per cent of shares with the remaining 50 per cent held by a consortium of private investors, led by noted economist and author Gareth Morgan.^[18]

The Hurricanes have fielded a development team in competitions such as the Pacific Rugby Cup and in matches against other representative teams for several seasons. Known as the Hurricanes Hunters ^[19] or Hurricanes Development XV, the squad is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in the Hurricanes catchment area and is composed of Hurricanes contracted players, wider training group members, under 20s, and selected club players.^[20][19]

• Champions (1)

2016

• Runners-up (2)

2006, 2015

• Playoff Appearances (12)

1997, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022

• New Zealand/Australasian Conference Champions (2)

2015, 2016

A season-by-season summary of the Hurricanes regular season results is shown below:

Super 12

Super 14

Super Rugby

Super Rugby Aotearoa

Super Rugby Trans Tasman

Super Rugby Pacific

Season	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Notes
1996	9th	11	3	0	8	290	353	-63	5	17
1997	3rd	11	6	0	5	416	314	+102	10	34	Lost to Brumbies in semi-final
1998	8th	11	5	0	6	313	342	-29	6	26
1999	10th	11	4	1	6	213	226	-13	4	22
2000	8th	11	6	0	5	308	329	-29	5	29
2001	9th	11	5	0	6	291	316	-25	5	25
2002	9th	11	5	0	6	232	317	-85	3	23
2003	3rd	11	7	0	4	324	277	+47	7	35	Lost to Crusaders in semi-final
2004	11th	11	4	1	6	275	303	-28	5	23
2005	4th	11	8	0	3	281	248	+33	2	34	Lost to Crusaders in semi-final
2006	2nd	13	10	0	3	328	226	+102	7	47	Lost to Crusaders in final
2007	8th	13	6	0	7	247	300	-53	3	27
2008	4th	13	8	1	4	310	204	+106	7	41	Lost to Crusaders in semi-final
2009	3rd	13	9	0	4	380	279	+101	8	44	Lost to Chiefs in semi-final
2010	8th	13	7	1	5	358	323	+35	7	37
2011	9th	16	5	2	9	328	398	-70	10	42*	1
2012	8th	16	10	0	6	489	429	+58	9	57*	1
2013	11th	16	6	0	10	386	457	-71	9	41*	1
2014	7th	16	8	0	8	439	374	+65	9	41
2015	2nd	16	14	0	2	458	288	+170	10	66	Lost to Highlanders in final
2016	1st	15	11	0	4	458	314	+144	9	53	Defeated Lions in final
2017	3rd	15	12	0	3	596	272	+324	10	58	Lost to Lions in semi-final
2018	4th	16	11	0	5	474	343	+131	7	51	Lost to Crusaders in semi-final
2019	4th	16	12	1	3	449	362	+87	3	53	Lost to Crusaders in semi-final
2020	6th	6	4	0	2	168	135	+33	1	17	Season cancelled due to COVID-191
2020	3rd	8	5	0	3	202	213	-11	1	21	No playoffs, round robin only2
2021	5th	8	2	0	6	200	223	-23	4	12	3
2021	4th	5	4	0	1	195	93	+102	5	21	4
2022	5th	14	8	0	6	441	330	+111	7	39	Lost to Brumbies in quarter-final
2023	5th	14	9	0	5	480	338	+142	5	41	Lost to Brumbies in quarter-final
2024	1st	14	12	0	2	480	281	+199	8	56	Lost to Chiefs in semi-final

^1 Teams were awarded four points for a bye during the Super Rugby seasons from 2011 to 2013. Each team took two bye rounds each season. These additional 8 points are included in their season points tally.
^2 All matches after Round 7 were cancelled. the season remained incomplete and no champion was awarded.^[21]
^3 Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as a stand-in replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures.^[22][23]
^4 Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted the same format in 2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with the addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at the conclusion of the round robin stage.^[24]
^5 Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover competition between the teams involved in Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU. Each team from Super Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa once, and vice versa. A final was played between the top two seeded teams at the conclusion of the round robin matches.^[25][26]

Hurricanes Super Rugby results vs different opponents Super Rugby Match Results

Super Rugby
Opposition	Span	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win%
Blues	1996–2023	39	19	1	19	48.7%
Chiefs	1996–2023	42	21	2	19	50.0%
Crusaders	1996–2022	44	13	3	28	29.5%
Highlanders	1996-2023	40	25	0	15	60.0%
Brumbies	1996-2022	29	12	0	17	42.9%
Force	2006-2023	14	12	0	2	84.6%
Rebels	2011-2023	11	10	0	1	90.9%
Reds	1996–2023	25	19	0	6	76.0%
Waratahs	1996-2023	26	16	0	10	61.5%
Bulls	1996-2019	22	12	0	10	54.5%
Cheetahs	1997-2017	11	8	0	3	72.7%
Lions	1996-2019	23	19	0	4	82.6%
Sharks	1996-2020	24	12	1	11	50.0%
Southern Kings	2013-2016	2	2	0	0	100.0%
Stormers	1996-2019	21	9	0	12	42.9%
Jaguares	2016-2019	4	3	0	1	75.0%
Sunwolves	2017-2019	4	4	0	0	100.0%
Fijian Drua	2022	1	1	0	0	100.0%
Moana Pasifika	2022–2023	3	2	0	1	66.7%
Overall	1996–2023	385	219	7	159	56.9%
Updated to: 16 April 2023

The squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season is:^[27]

Hurricanes Super Rugby squad
Props Siale Lauaki Tyrel Lomax Tevita Mafileo Xavier Numia Pouri Rakete-Stones Pasilio Tosi Hookers Asafo Aumua Jacob Devery Raymond Tuputupu Locks Tom Allen Caleb Delany Zach Gallagher Josh Taula Will Tucker Isaia Walker-Leawere	Loose forwards Devan Flanders Brayden Iose Du'Plessis Kirifi Peter Lakai Arese Poliko Brad Shields (c) Halfbacks (scrum-halves) Ere Enari Cam Roigard Jordi Viljoen First five-eighths (fly-halves) Brett Cameron Lucas Cashmore Riley Hohepa	Midfielders (centres) Riley Higgins Billy Proctor Bailyn Sullivan Peter Umaga-Jensen Outside backs Kade Banks Tjay Clarke Fehi Fineanganofo Harry Godfrey Ruben Love Kini Naholo Ngane Punivai Daniel Sinkinson
(c) denotes team captain. Bold denotes internationally capped.

• Clark Laidlaw

• Cory Jane assistant coach (defence) (2020–present)
• Tyler Bleyendaal assistant coach (attack) (2021–present)
• Jamie Mackintosh assistant coach (forwards) (2023–present)
• Bryn Evans assistant coach (line-out and kick-off) (2024–)^[28]

Hurricanes head coaches by date, matches and win percentage*

Coach	Period	G	W	D	L	%
Frank Oliver	1996–1999	45	18	1	26	040.0
Graham Mourie	2000–2002	33	16	0	17	048.5
Colin Cooper	2003–2010	104	60	3	41	057.7
Mark Hammett	2011–2014	64	29	2	33	045.3
Chris Boyd	2015–2018	71	54	0	17	076.1
John Plumtree	2019	18	13	1	4	072.2
Jason Holland	2020–2023	57	32	0	25	056.1
Clark Laidlaw	2024–present	0	0	0	0	!—
Totals (1996–present)*		392	222	7	163	056.6
Updated to: 9 November 2023

Notes:

• Bull Allen (1996–1998, 30 games - Captain)
• Jon Preston (1998, 3 games, Allen injured)
• Norm Hewitt (1998-2000, 15 games - Captain)
• Jason O'Halloran (1999, 8 games, Hewitt injured)
• Gordon Slater (2001-2002, 22 games - Captain)
• Tana Umaga (2003–2005, 35 games - Captain)
• Jerry Collins (2004, 3 games, Umaga injured)
• Rodney So'oialo (2006–2009, 49 games - Captain)
• Paul Tito (2007, 1 game, So'oialo injured)
• Tamati Ellison (2009, 1 game, So'oialo injured)
• Andrew Hore (2010–2011, 28 games - Captain)
• Victor Vito (2011, 2 games, Hore rested; 2013, 1 game)
• Conrad Smith (2007, 1 game; 2012–15, 60 games - Captain)
• Jeremy Thrush (2014, 3 games, C. Smith injured)
• Dane Coles (2015, 1 game, C. Smith rested) (2016–2018 - Captain)
• Brad Shields (2017, D. Coles injured; 2018, D. Coles injured; 2024–present - Captain)
• TJ Perenara (2016, 2 games, D. Coles injured; 2017, 7 games, D. Coles injured)
• Ardie Savea (2019–2023 - Captain)

The above is a comprehensive list of Hurricanes captains. Official captains are named in the list as "Captain".

• Official website
• New Zealand Super Rugby website
• SANZAAR Super Rugby website
• Wellington Regional Stadium

Preceded by Highlanders

Super Rugby Champions 2016 (First title)

Succeeded by Crusaders