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The Live Sport Bible is here!Top spot means little as Hurricanes enter final phase
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 5th, 2026 6:00 am
Fehi Fineanganofo scores against the Brumbies | Photo: Photosport
With the Super Rugby Pacific curtain just three weeks away from closing, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw says it’s only just the beginning.
Laidlaw told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy on Thursday, "in some ways it's just starting, isn't it? You do a lot of work from November to give yourself a chance of playing three games.
“We've definitely had different phases through the year, and this is the last phase.”
So although the Hurricanes are a clear favourite to win the competition in 2026 and pulled away from other sides at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, regular season points are now off the table as six teams enter the elimination stage.
Hurricanes vs Brumbies preview | Scotty & Izzy
The Hurricanes coach urged his players to understand what's taken to get to this point and that they should continue to play the game to a high standard against the other five best sides.
“I think the best thing is that it's felt super calm. It felt like its a game that we want to play really well, but not over the top.
“It is obvious that it's this time of the year, but this is why we're in the game and why we've trained so hard since November.
“So we're ready to go and we're really excited to play at home.”
The near full strength side will take on the Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night for the first match of the playoffs, with the losing team at risk of being eliminated from the competition.
Laidlaw acknowledged the Brumbies have been an unpredictable side this season, saying “they put 50 (points) on the Crusaders in Christchurch to then lose a game against Moana (Pasifika) and everything in between, it's been a little bit harder to get a read on.”
Israel Dagg isn't ready to farewell Hurricanes breakout star Fehi Fineanganofo | Scotty & Izzy
But he remains conscious of what could be.
“When you look at the squad they've named for this weekend, we're probably expecting the best version.”
However, instead of consentrating on the Brumbies, the Hurricanes are focused on their own game and the style they want to play.
“We've really tried to focus on our own game, the principles and how we want to play and how that lends itself to the Brumbies."
And he expects the Hurricanes who have not won a Super Rugby title since 2016 to respond, being "fired up and probably as good as you're going to get."
Listen to the full interview below:
