Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Chiefs

The Hurricanes come out to play in front of their teeming supporters last Saturday at home against the Blues.

• By Kevin McCarthy 

The demise of Moana Pasifika will be a sad story – but as Shakespeare might have said once, ‘tis a tragedy foretold.

It’s also a canary in the coal mine for Super Rugby.

Launched with fine intentions, and seed money from World Rugby and the NZR, and government, it was touted as building a pathway for Pasifika players, excluding the more viable Fijian Drua.

Yet with a top performing side like the Hurricanes able to clock two-million-dollar losses, the collapse of the Rebels, and the Brumbies also needing a bailout, what serious hope is there for a team without a home, a loyal fan base, and a strong capitalisation.  It doesn’t even technically qualify as a New Zealand team.

The season of Ardie in 2025 showed what could be – although admittedly it took an epic season by an epic player, to literally lift Moana to the cusp of the playoffs.

But the club could never afford such marque talent long-term. It also morphed into a strange ownership structure, through a Pasifika Medical agency that later found itself on the outer for receiving government funding.

As for Super Rugby, is it viable? Pressures financially never seem to go away, TV revenues fluctuate, and the drive to get fans back on board is in early days.

The calls inevitably go out to the NZR and World Rugby to come to the party. Should they? Yes, if they can. Will they? Not likely.

The tragedy, as I started with, could have been foreseen. That never means it can be headed off, but the launched of a new franchise could have done with much more capital, a long-term solid development plan, and something like a 10-year incubator phase. Probably outside the NZR’s remit, but not that of World Rugby.

Then it becomes who wants to throw their own money into the mix. Deep pockets are needed, and there are some deep pockets out there. It’s just they don’t seem to be queueing up, and they usually want their investment to be more than a money sink.

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I know you may be reluctant to climb on the Cane Train.

But even partisan observers who often never give the Hurricanes due respect are now gushing, I think it’s safe to fanmaxx, in the modern parlance.

So yes, etch in the Canes on the trophy for 2026.

Turn out to watch the Cantabs dispatched. The Brumbies jinx broken

Clear your weekends for the playoffs at home.

In short, be the obnoxious, irrationally exuberant supporter than you’ve always wanted to be.

Don’t worry about the past. Such a sizzling run comes about rarely, and it’s not like we don’t know how to handle the cruel swings of fate.

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The Hurricanes have made one change to their starting XV that beat the Blues, with former Poneke lock  Isaia Walker-Leawere joining the run-on team.

Old Boys University lock Caleb Delany joins  hooker Jacob Devery and loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones in the reserves.

Kick-off in Hamilton for Saturday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm.

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY CHIEFS (Hurricanes caps in brackets)

1. Xavier Numia (83)
2. Asafo Aumua (82)
3. Pasilio Tosi (44)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (84)
5. Warner Dearns (7)
6. Devan Flanders (63)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (98) – co-captain
8. Peter Lakai (43)
9. Cam Roigard (54)
10. Ruben Love (47)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (19)
12. Jordie Barrett (118) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (74)
14. Josh Moorby (45)
15. Callum Harkin (16)
16. Jacob Devery (21)
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (55)
18. Tevita Mafileo (63)
19. Caleb Delany (45)
20. Brad Shields (134)
21. Brayden Iose (58)
22. Ereatara Enari (18)
23. Jone Rova (6)

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 6 weeks
Siale Lauaki (concussion): 1 week
Logan Wallace (calf): 1 week
Hugo Plumer (ankle): 2 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 3-5 weeks
Matolu Petaia (leg): 1 week
Jai Tamati (ankle): 1-3 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Josh Timu (ankle): TBC
Ngane Punivai (hamstring): 1-2 weeks
Bailyn Sullivan (leg): 3-4 weeks
Kini Naholo (foot): 1-2 weeks