Hurricanes (rugby union)

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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 Hnry
Stadium (formerly named Sky Stadium), having
previously played at the now-defunct Athletic
Park.[3] The Hurricanes have featured some of
New Zealand's most notable rugby players,
including Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Tana
Umaga, Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea.

Hurricanes

Union New Zealand Rugby

Union

Nickname The 'Canes

Founded 1996; 30 years ago

Location Wellington, New Zealand;

Manawatū-Whanganui,
New Zealand; Hawke's
Bay, New Zealand;
Gisborne, New Zealand

Region Hawke's Bay

Horowhenua Kapiti
Manawatū
Poverty Bay
Wairarapa-Bush
Whanganui
Wellington

Ground Hnry Stadium (Capacity:

34,500)

Coach Clark Laidlaw

Captain(s) Jordie Barrett

Du'Plessis Kirifi

Most caps TJ Perenara (162)

Top scorer Beauden Barrett (1,238)

Most tries TJ Perenara (65)

League Super Rugby Pacific

2026 1st overall

Playoffs: Champions

Team kit 2nd kit

Official website

[Link]

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 fourteen times,
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 brought the Hurricanes' first-ever
title, winning the final 20-3 against the Lions. The
Hurricanes finished top of the regular-season
table in 2024 and 2026, winning their second title
with a 60-5 victory over the Chiefs in 2026.

History

Early years: 1996–1997

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.

Expect the unexpected: 1998–2002

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 £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 Hurricanes still had a 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]

New era: since 2003

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The Hurricanes playing the

Highlanders at Wellington
Regional Stadium in 2006

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.

Home Grounds and Franchise

Area

Poverty
Wanganui Hawke's
Bay
Manawatu
Horowhenua-Kapiti Wairarapa-
Bay
Wellington
Bush

Grounds
The Hurricanes play the majority of their home
matches at the 34,500 capacity Hnry Stadium
(formerly named Sky 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 five or six
home games per year. However, in recent years,
the team has seldom ventured from Hnry
Stadium, playing at-most one match per year in
Palmerston North or Napier.

Palmerston
Wellington Napier
North

Central Energy
Hnry Stadium McLean Park
Trust Arena

Capacity: Capacity: Capacity:

40,000 15,000 22,000

Region
The team represents the 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]
On 7 February 2025, the Chiefs announced
that also East Coast had changed its provincial
affiliation from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs.[18]

Ownership and Finances

In 2012, it was announced that a new company,

Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership, had
purchased a licence from the NZRU to operate
the club.[19]

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.[19] In July 2013, it was announced
that the Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
had purchased a 3 per cent stake in the company
Hurricanes' Investment Ltd Partnership, with
$100,000 contributed towards the company.[20]

On 8 December 2025, it was announced that a

joint venture of NZ Sport Investment (NZSI)
between Property Developer Malcolm Gillies and
Porirua's Summit Capital had purchased the 50%
share that Wellington Rugby Football Union had in
the franchise. NZR had also supplied both the
Hurricanes and WRFU with a small temporary
investment loan as have had done previously with
other clubs. Other already existing investors are
believed to still have had shares in the franchise.
[21]

Development team

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[22] 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.
[23][22]

Honours

Super Rugby (1996–Present)

Champions (2)

2016, 2026

Runners-up (2)

2006, 2015

Playoff Appearances (16)

1997, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015,

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024,2025,
2026

New Zealand/Australasian Conference

Champions (2)

2015, 2016

Records and achievements

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

Super
Super Super
Super Super Super Rugby
Rugby Rugby
12 14 Rugby Trans
Aotearoa Pacific
Tasman

Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts

1996 9th 11 3 0 8 290 353 -63 5 17

1997 3rd 11 6 0 5 416 314 +102 10 34

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

2004 11th 11 4 1 6 275 303 -28 5 23

2005 4th 11 8 0 3 281 248 +33 2 34

2006 2nd 13 10 0 3 328 226 +102 7 47

2007 8th 13 6 0 7 247 300 -53 3 27

2008 4th 13 8 1 4 310 204 +106 7 41

2009 3rd 13 9 0 4 380 279 +101 8 44

2010 8th 13 7 1 5 358 323 +35 7 37

2011 9th 16 5 2 9 328 398 -70 10 42*

2012 8th 16 10 0 6 489 429 +58 9 57*

2013 11th 16 6 0 10 386 457 -71 9 41*

2014 7th 16 8 0 8 439 374 +65 9 41

2015 2nd 16 14 0 2 458 288 +170 10 66

2016 1st 15 11 0 4 458 314 +144 9 53

2017 3rd 15 12 0 3 596 272 +324 10 58

2018 4th 16 11 0 5 474 343 +131 7 51

2019 4th 16 12 1 3 449 362 +87 3 53

2020 6th 6 4 0 2 168 135 +33 1 17

2020 3rd 8 5 0 3 202 213 -11 1 21

2021 5th 8 2 0 6 200 223 -23 4 12

2021 4th 5 4 0 1 195 93 +102 5 21

2022 5th 14 8 0 6 441 330 +111 7 39

2023 5th 14 9 0 5 480 338 +142 5 41

2024 1st 14 12 0 2 480 281 +199 8 56

2025 4th 14 8 1 5 448 342 +106 5 39

2026 1st 14 11 0 3 562 298 +264 11 55

Notes

^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.