Hurricanes
Blues
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Championship Standings
The table-topping clash of the round. Both sides have 25 points — the Hurricanes from 6 games (a game in hand), the Blues from 7. The Hurricanes' +166 points differential dwarfs the Blues' +95. This is a genuine title decider.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hurricanes | 6 | 5 | 1 | +166 | 25 |
| 2 | Blues | 7 | 5 | 2 | +95 | 25 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 7 | 5 | 2 | +59 | 22 |
| 4 | Brumbies | 7 | 4 | 3 | +50 | 20 |
| 5 | Crusaders | 7 | 4 | 3 | +49 | 18 |
| 6 | Queensland Reds | 7 | 4 | 3 | −41 | 18 |
| 7 | NSW Waratahs | 7 | 3 | 4 | −43 | 14 |
| 8 | Highlanders | 7 | 3 | 4 | −44 | 14 |
| 9 | Western Force | 7 | 2 | 5 | −29 | 8 |
| 10 | Fijian Drua | 7 | 2 | 5 | −100 | 8 |
| 11 | Moana Pasifika | 7 | 1 | 6 | −162 | 4 |
Hurricanes
W5, L1The most destructive attacking force in Super Rugby. Five wins from six with four by 30+ points. Averaging 44 points scored per game. The only blemish was a 25–20 loss to the Fijian Drua in Suva — they've responded with four consecutive bonus-point wins since.
Blues
W5, L2The Blues stumbled early but have rattled off four straight wins since. Their two losses came by a combined 7 points — they're close to being unbeaten. The trajectory is unmistakable — they're peaking at the right time.
Head-to-Head in Wellington
9 – 0 – 6
Hurricanes wins · Draws · Blues wins (last 15 meetings in Wellington)
The Hurricanes have the historical edge in Wellington (9-6), but the Blues have been resurgent recently — winning 3 of the last 5 in Wellington, including a 33–29 victory in 2025. The old home fortress advantage has eroded significantly.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes 29–33 Blues |
| Mar 2024 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes 29–21 Blues |
| Mar 2023 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes 19–25 Blues |
| Feb 2021 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes 16–31 Blues |
| Jul 2020 | Super Rugby Aotearoa | Hurricanes 29–27 Blues |
| Mar 2020 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes 15–24 Blues |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: Hurricanes 23 – Blues 27. In the last 6 meetings in Wellington, the Blues have won 4 — the away side has been dominant recently.
Extended Form
Hurricanes10W, 3L, 1D
Near-unstoppable over the last 12 months. Only losses to the Crusaders at home, Fijian Drua in Suva, and Brumbies in Canberra. Beat the Chiefs 35–17, Highlanders 24–20, demolished Moana Pasifika 64–12.
The Hurricanes have been formidable. Their attack consistently produces 30+ points per game. The home record at Sky Stadium is strong but not impregnable — the Blues won here last year.
Blues9W, 5L
Away record improved dramatically in 2026 compared to 2025 (when they lost 5 of 7 on the road). The narrow defeats are the telling stat — they're competitive in every match.
The Blues' away record has improved. The key question is whether they can translate recent form into a result in Wellington, where they won last year (33–29).
Hurricanes XV
Lineups not yet announced. The Hurricanes' squad features Jordie Barrett as the marquee All Black, with a potent backline built around experienced internationals.
Blues XV
Lineups not yet announced. The Blues boast Beauden Barrett as their headline act. After four straight wins, expect minimal changes for this top-of-the-table showdown.
Key Matchups
As evenly matched as Super Rugby gets. The Barrett v Barrett subplot adds family rivalry. Both packs are loaded with All Blacks experience. The Hurricanes' edge lies in their explosive back three and the home crowd. The Blues' best chance is to control territory through Beauden Barrett's kicking game.
Match Forecast
The Hurricanes should edge this at Sky Stadium. The scorecard's +6 reflects a match between two elite teams. The Hurricanes' advantage comes from home ground, marginally superior form (their +166 points differential is the best in the competition), and attacking firepower averaging 44 points per game.
The Blues have every right to believe they can win in Wellington — they did exactly that last year, 33–29. Beauden Barrett's big-game experience could frustrate the Hurricanes' free-flowing attack. But the Hurricanes at home, with a crowd behind them and a points-scoring machine that's put 50+ on three times this season, should pull clear in the final quarter.
Hurricanes edge a tight derby at Sky Stadium — but the Blues will make them fight for every point in a genuine title-race showdown.