Hurricanes brace for "cold, dark and hostile" Canberra in Super Rugby finals
Cam Roigard celebrates with Ngatungane Punivai.
Photo:
Mark Evans/ActionPress
Brumbies v Hurricanes
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 7 May
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Live updates on RNZ Sport
The Hurricanes wanted the Brumbies first up in the Super Rugby finals and they're confident of claiming a second win in Canberra this season.
Hurricanes players celebrate the win over Moana Pasifika.
Photo:
Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
Much has been made of the match and its potential to become a dead rubber due to the scheduling of the game and the new playoff format.
If results go to seedings in the earlier games and the Chiefs beat the Blues and the Crusaders beat the Reds, then the Brumbies and Hurricanes will play each other knowing that no matter what the result they will both qualify for the semi-finals.
However, if either the
Crusaders or Chiefs lose a home semi-final
would be on offer for the Hurricanes and All Blacks halfback, Cam Roigard, said the visitors are intent on maintaining their winning momentum.
"There's potentially a lot to play for and just like the regular season there's never dead rubbers even if the result doesn't matter. The games are so tight and there's still so much to play for," Roigard said.
"Momentum's huge heading into the semi-finals. We've been lucky to get some good results leading in to the playoffs and regardless of the previous results (between the Crusaders and Reds and Chiefs and Blues), we're going to be trying to do what we can to get a result."
Cam Roigard of the Hurricanes celebrates a try.
Photo:
Masanori Udagawa / PHOTOSPORT
He believes if the Hurricanes focus on anything other than winning, they will set themselves up to fail.
"We know how hard it is to win in Canberra. So, if you're thinking it's a dead rubber leading into the match and then there's an upset in previous games, that can shake things up completely and it could turn into the game of the round. So, yeah, who knows? We're just going to control what we can control."
The Hurricanes won in Canberra earlier this season with the 35-29 victory in April their first in the Australian capital since 2017 and Roigard believes that drought-breaking result will give them confidence heading into this weekend's clash.
"It's massive. We don't take that stuff for granted and hopefully we've broken the curse of winning over there," Roigard said.
"We know it's going to be cold. It's going to be dark. The crowd get behind their team, so it's going to be loud and hostile too.
"We know how tough it is to win over there. We've had some great Hurricanes sides go over there and not be able to win. I've played there a couple times in quarter finals and been there when the team has played there. It always seems to be in the Hurricanes script that we're playing the Brumbies in Canberra for a quarter final."
Cam Roigard of the Hurricanes runs in to score a try, Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, round 16 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 31 May 2025. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / Photosport
Photo:
Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
Despite the added travel of going to Australia and the Brumbies impressive home record, Roigard is adamant the visitors are more than happy to be playing in Canberra.
"They (Brumbies) are probably the team that we want to play in the quarter final, given the position that we are on the table. It's probably the best that we could have done considering the average start that we had to the season."
Roigard believes the Hurricanes will have to be accurate and as error free as possible to claim back to back wins over the Brumbies.
"I think our kicking game is massive. They've got some talented backs and they're such a set piece orientated team.
"The more opportunities we give them, the harder it's going to be for us, especially if we're defending our goal line for eighty minutes. If we can manage where we play the game that will be huge for us and for giving momentum to our forwards and for getting around the corner and playing in the right areas of the field.
"We know that they're hugely reliant on set piece and they're very good at it. If we can manage that as best we can, then we'll have a good chance on the weekend."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
31 minutes ago
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks - everything you need to know
Warriors half Luke Metcalf was one that got away from Cronulla. Photo: LIAM SWIGGS Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Cronulla Sharks lead the all-time head-to-head rivalry against NZ Warriors 29-21, and that advantage balloons out to 17-8 at home and 14-7 at Sharks Stadium. The teams have faced each other home and away over the past six seasons, with the Sharks holding a 7-5 edge over that period. The Warriors actually won the last meeting between the two at the Shire 30-28, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring three tries - including the winner in the final minute - in Shaun Johnson's farewell appearance at the end of last season. They trailed 22-4 at halftime, but piled on four consecutive tries in the second half to make up the deficit. The Warriors' biggest win over the Sharks came in 2023, when Watene-Zelezniak had a try double in a 44-12 victory at Go Media Stadium. Their biggest defeat came in 2020, when Johnson scored a try and kicked 7/8 from the tee for Cronulla in their 46-10 win. After seeing their five-game winning streak ended by Canberra Raiders, the Warriors bounced back with another nervous victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. Leading 30-12 after 54 minutes, they took their foot off the throat and conceded back-to-back tries, as Souths drew within six points. Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored the second of his pair to put his team clear again, but a try to Latrell Mitchell ensured the final few minutes were tense - as always. They are now 9-3 to start the season, sitting third on the NRL table, with the Sharks (7-5) four points behind in fifth. Cronulla are coming off a bye in Round 13 and were strangely outplayed 42-16 by an Origin-depleted Sydney Roosters outfit the previous week. The Sharks were at full strength, while the Roosters had five players on state duty. Before that they rode a three-game winning streak, and their record this season includes success against playoff contenders Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles. The Warriors (82 percent) and Sharks (81) sit one and two in the competition for set completion, while Sharks half Nico Hynes has provided the most linebreak assists (16). Wayde Egan now leads the NRL in tackles and dummy half runs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan leads the league in dummy half runs (73) and most tackles (538), with Sharks opposite Blayke Brailey his closest rival in both categories. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 23 Taine Tuaupiki, 20 Sam Healey After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again , with co-captain Mitch Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and centre Rocco Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge. Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench. Teenage sensation Leka Halasima and tireless front-rower Jackson Ford have been moved into the starting pack. Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 21 Jayden Berrell Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele are also named. In return, Cronulla get to watch their 'one that got away' - Dally M-leading Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf . On a side note, the game will be officiated by Peter Gough, the referee who allowed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's knockon against the Dolphins three weeks ago. Brace yourself for a clash of the titans between Addin Fonua-Blake and the man who replaced him at the Warriors - now sole captain James Fisher-Harris. Fonua-Blake is having another Dally M-type season, as he leads the competition in post-contact metres (976) by more than 100 metres. Former Warrior Addin Fonua-Blake is having another great season for the Sharks. Photo: Photosport Statistically, Fisher-Harris' campaign has been set back by a month on the sidelines injured, but he will be challenged to match his rival in the long-term absence of tag-team partner Barnett. Centre Kayal Iro is descended from rugby league royalty, son of Kiwis great Kevin 'The Beast' Iro and nephew of Warriors stalwart Tony Iro. Born in England, while his dad played out the final years of his career at St Helens, Kayal is another who slipped through the Warriors net, playing a season with their U20s, and has gone on to form a formidable Sharks centre pairing with Jesse Ramien. Iro has scored a try in each of his last eight games. "Mitch would have helped stop that, but it didn't matter who's in front of Addin, he's a good player, so everyone's got to bring their best this week and it's a great challenge for the whole squad." Warriors coach Andrew Webster on Barnett's absence against Fonua-Blake "These are the challenges you look forward to going up against each week. They've got an alpha in every team and you've got to match their energy every week." Former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake, now with the Sharks Sorry Warriors fans, this feels like an ambush waiting to happen.
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Thoughts on return after an eventful hiatus
Some things ... Hello again! The good news for the 17 dedicated readers of this column is that it is back, more or less on a weekly basis, now the man who writes it is not knee-deep in Highlanders stories. (And, er, is back from a lovely Australian holiday.) The bad news is you can expect roughly 437 mentions of Liverpool being champions of England between now and February. On that note, here are 29 things that have happened, or that I have been pondering, since the column last appeared: 1. The Highlanders claimed the wooden spoon. Oof. Did not see that coming, to be honest. They played good rugby — some really good rugby — at times. Four or five of their players were consistently brilliant. But, as one noted rugby brain told me recently, they just lost too many of the small moments. Their inexperience in some positions showed, and they lacked a couple of real game leaders to take control. Last is not good, and while most supporters will move on quickly, it will not be pleasant if results do not significantly improve next season. 2. The Chiefs are the best team in Super Rugby, by miles. Hard to see them being stopped. If it has to happen, let it be the Hurricanes, not the Crusaders. 3. Super Rugby continued its year of resurgence. The rugby has been good, new stars have emerged, and there has been plenty of uncertainty. Match attendance increased 6% despite regular season games dropping from 84 to 77, and television and digital viewership went up. Significantly, it has been the second-highest scoring season — an average of 58 points per game — with a historically low average of 2.1 penalty attempts per game. Hard to complain. 4. Just 16 days until Scott Robertson names an All Blacks squad for a second season. The Highlanders will clearly have at least one new test cap (Fabian Holland). Fingers crossed for Timoci Tavatavanawai. Elsewhere, it is hard to imagine too many new faces. Chay Fihaki, perhaps. Du'Plessis Kirifi? 5. In my last column in March, I wrote the Warriors were "miles off the pace". Oops. Sorry, Wahs fans! They have rattled off a bunch of wins and sit pretty just two points off the top of the NRL table. 6. My beloved Penrith Panthers . . . well, let's just say a fifth straight premiership was always going to be unlikely. 7. The Otago Nuggets have parted company with Jose Perez — one of the weirdest, most interesting basketball players I have seen — and become rooted to the bottom of the NBL table. Both the Nuggets and their sister team, the Hoiho, still face an uncertain future as they seek new owners. 8. In the least surprising development since Jacinda Ardern's autobiography was released with 792 references to "kindness", the Indian Panthers have been booted out of the national league. This whole shambles has been one of the great stains on the history of New Zealand sport, and some people should be feeling really embarrassed. 9. No doubt you read my thoughts on the NBA finals in yesterday's paper. Should be a good series. But my Knicks are not far away. ... that have been 10. If you are only good as your last game, the Southern Steel are awful. But the 70-45 loss to the Pulse was an early outlier in a season that is already suggesting the Steel are vastly improved from recent years. 11. I will take some convincing that a two-point shot belongs in netball. 12. What is with netball and its persistence with calling players out of retirement? The Steel raised a few eyebrows when 40-year-old assistant coach Liana Leota came off the bench in the opening game. Now an Australian team has called in Silver Ferns great Casey Kopua, a staggering six years since her retirement. Are there no decent players coming through the ranks? 13. One last netball thought. The national boss might think things are going swimmingly but there has to still be a concern that the future beyond 2026 looks so uncertain thanks to the new broadcasting deal. 14. Great to hear a new $15 million roof could be coming for the Edgar Centre. It is the best asset in this city, and needs to be protected. 15. I waited this long. Did you hear Liverpool are champions of England for a 20th time? Bliss. 16. Arsenal again looked good and won nothing. Chris Wood had the greatest season by a New Zealand footballer. Spurs are "champions of Europe", ha ha. And Manchester United . . . ye gods. 17. You had to feel for Auckland FC. They were wonderful in their inaugural season, deservedly won the minor premiership, and were unlucky to fall in the playoffs. Like every normal football fan, I would rather the A-League just had a plain old league format. 18. The Phoenix appear to be in freefall. Really worrying. 19. Liam Lawson has been busy. He was demoted by Red Bull — who never really gave him a chance — and after a rugged start with Racing Bulls, he appears to be finding his feet. Hopefully he continues to progress. 20. My cousin in Canada and a work colleague are all-in on the Edmonton Oilers winning ice hockey's Stanley Cup, as am I. Lessgooo Oilers. 21. Closer to home, those were two fantastic ice hockey world tournaments held in Dunedin. This newspaper did a sterling job covering them, too. At which point I humbly highlight the sports department's contribution to the Otago Daily Times being named metro paper of the year at the Voyager Awards. We are still covering things other papers have abandoned. ... on my mind 22. And the prize for the stupidest sport-related activity goes to . . . this "run it straight" nonsense. Just shut it down, please. 23. Can we also shut down any talk of the major boys' secondary schools in Otago and Southland abandoning a really good southern schools rugby competition in favour of an over-blown South Island First XV league, designed purely and futilely to attempt to maintain an arms race with the big North Island schools. I don't like it at all. 24. The best book I have read this year has been Spearhead , the amazing story of a tank crew in World War 2. The only sports book has been Not Everything Counts But Everything Matters , the yarn with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary. Not bad. 25. Cricket remains undefeated as the sport with the coolest scorelines. In case you missed it, the Richmond Fourth XI won the toss and fielded in a Middlesex County League game last month. Not such a brilliant decision, as the North London Thirds rattled on 426 for five off just 45 overs. In reply, Richmond were all out for two. Yes, two. One run off the bat, one from a wide. Off 5.4 overs. Brilliant. 26. Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam with a dramatic and long-awaited win at the Masters. Awesome to watch. 27. Naomi Osaka's tragic tale continued when she crashed out of the French Open, teared up, and sounded extremely down on herself. She just seems so unhappy to be playing tennis at times. 28. Miami quarterback Cam Ward was taken at No 1 in the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. The best names in the draft included Aireontae Ersery, Omarr Norman-Lott, Princely Umanmielen, Upton Stout, Zeek Biggers, Gunnar Helm, LaJohntay Wester, Aeneas Peebles, Konata Mumpfield, Dante Trader jun and Lathan Ransom. 29. As mentioned, The Last Word is just back from a trip to Australia. A bit of Melbourne, the amazing Great Ocean Rd and Murray River, and a bit of Adelaide. Did not attend any sport but went to Les Miserables in the Rod Laver Arena, and noted the ratio of Aussie Rules coverage to all other sport in a major newspaper (six pages to two).
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika release 15 players from franchise
Moana Pasifika. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress Moana Pasifika have dropped a bombshell in the form of 15 players. The franchise announced on social media the mass release of squad members, many of whom have been with the side since its inception. Also leaving is star winger Kyren Taumoefolau, rumoured to be heading to the Chiefs and former skipper Sione Havili-Talitui. The players released include Fine and Lotu Inisi, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Michael Curry, Havili-Talitui, Taumoefolau, Pepesana Patafilo, Alamanda Motuga, Sama Malolo, Aisea Halo, Tomasi Maka, Connor Seve, Irie Papuni and Pone Fa'amausili. "Goodbyes are never easy, but they remind us just how meaningful the journey has been. Thank you brothers for everything," Moana posted on their social media channels. Moana enjoyed their strongest season to date in 2025, picking up wins over every Kiwi franchise except the Chiefs, and narrowly missing out on a play-off berth, finishing in seventh. However, the gloss was somewhat removed from a sparking start, conceding 149 points in their final two outings.
