The Hurricanes ( ; ; formerly the Wellington Hurricanes) is a New Zealand professional men's

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

team based in

Wellington Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand (second largest in the North Island ...

that competes in

Super Rugby Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...

. The Hurricanes were formed to represent the lower

North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...

, including the East Coast,

Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay () is a region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. The region is named for Hawke Bay, which was named in honour of Edward Hawke. The region's main centres are the cities of Napier and Hastings, while the more rural ...

, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatū,

Poverty Bay Poverty Bay (Māori language, Māori: ''Tūranganui-a-Kiwa''), officially named Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay, is the largest of several small bays on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island to the north of Hawke Bay. It stretches for ...

Taranaki Taranaki is a regions of New Zealand, region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano Mount Taranaki, Taranaki Maunga, formerly known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the ...

, Wairarapa-Bush,

Wanganui Whanganui, also spelt Wanganui, is a list of cities in New Zealand, city in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. The city is located on the west coast of the North Island at the mouth of the Whanganui River, New Zealand's longest nav ...

and

unions. They currently play at

Sky Stadium Wellington Regional Stadium (commercially known as Sky Stadium through naming rights) is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. The stadium's bowl site size is . The stadium was built in 1999 by Fletcher Construction and is situa ...

(formerly named Westpac Stadium), having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park. 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 seven times out of fourteen seasons, including the 2006 final, which they lost in foggy weather against the

Crusaders The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding ...

19–12. After hosting but failing to win the final in 2015, the 2016 season was the Hurricanes' best season to date. They won the final 20–3 against the

Lions The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is se ...

, after again finishing the regular season first and hosting the final.

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 The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...

Frank Oliver, while Bull Allen was named as captain. Their first match, played at

Palmerston North Showgrounds Central Energy Trust Arena is the current name of the 180,000 square meter publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city center in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. It has three linked indoor stadiu ...

against the

Auckland Blues The Blues (; known as the Auckland Blues from 1996 to 1999) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Auckland, who play in the Super Rugby competition. Like New Zealand's four other Super Rugby teams, the Blues were established b ...

, 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 Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...

to the

ACT Brumbies The ACT Brumbies (known from 2005 to 2022 as simply the Brumbies) is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), The team competes in Super Rugby and named for the brumby, feral horses wh ...

. 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 The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...

stars

Tana Umaga Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa Umaga (; ; born 27 May 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He is head coach of Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby competition. He was granted ...

and

Christian Cullen Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand (the All Blacks), for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and late ...

. 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 Jonah Tali Lomu (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players in the history of the sport, and as one of the most talented sportsm ...

's contract with the

NZRU New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it b ...

expired he was linked to many clubs around the world, in

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as rugby league in English-speaking countries and rugby 13/XIII in non-Anglophone Europe, is a contact sport, full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular Rugby league playin ...

as well as union and also the

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...

Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. T ...

. On 23 November 1999 it was announced that the winger had re-signed with the NZRU and agreed terms with the

Wellington Rugby Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union (known as the Wellington Lions for competition reasons) are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington Region. The main stadium is Sky Stadium (formerly named Wes ...

, despite a reported £1.1 million offer by

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...

. 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

, 41–29, in front of a packed house. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the

Bulls Bulls may refer to: *The plural of bull, an adult male bovine * Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District Sports *Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding *Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...

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 The Wellington Rugby Football Union (known as the Wellington Lions for competition reasons) are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington Region. The main stadium is Sky Stadium (formerly named Wes ...

(whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC, 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 Graham Neil Kenneth Mourie (born 8 September 1952) is a former New Zealand All Black flanker and coach of the Hurricanes. He was one of the great All Black captains in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was first selected for the All Blacks in ...

, who had led the team since 2000, resigning.

New era: since 2003

In spite of reports that

Colin Cooper Colin Terence Cooper (born 28 February 1967) is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player, he was a defender who notably played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. He played over 50 ...

, the then

assistant-coach, had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

franchise, 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

, helped to mould the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in the competition. 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 Ma'a Allan Nonu (; born 21 May 1982) is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand who currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14. He plays as an inside centre, but can also cover outside centre and wing. He was a key member of the All ...

, his strong performances and partnership with captain

pushed out former

Pita Alatini and saw him score six tries en route to the

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

would leave New Zealand shores for Irish club

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup squad, despite scoring eight tries during the season.

great

was left out of the 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a

kidney transplant Kidney transplant or renal transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). Kidney transplant is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantat ...

. He would never again play for the Hurricanes. The majority of the team was retained for 2005. including new centre

Conrad Smith Conrad Gerard Smith (born 12 October 1981) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, who played predominantly at centre. He captained the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and played for New Zealand from 2004 until 2015. He was a key mem ...

. The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt

Flyhalf In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards (wearing jerseys numbered 1–8) and seven backs (numbered 9–15). In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players "on the bench", numbered 16� ...

Jimmy Gopperth James Gopperth (born 29 June 1983) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player. His regular playing positions are centre and fly-half. He has played over 500 professional games in a 22-year career, scoring over 4,000 points. He has played ...

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 and the

Blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

, and young star

Luke McAlister Charles Luke McAlister (born 28 August 1983 in Waitara, New Zealand, Waitara) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played at Fly-half (rugby union), fly-half and at Centre (rugby union), centre. He is the brother of New Zealand w ...

indicated that he would like to play in Wellington. With both Daniel Carter and

Aaron Mauger Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger (last name pronounced "Major"; born 29 November 1980) is a New Zealand professional rugby union coach and former player. Playing career Born in Christchurch, Mauger played first five-eighth and second five-eighth ...

at the Crusaders capable of playing first five-eighth the team also made an attempt to lure

Andrew Mehrtens Andrew Philip Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He was regarded as a top first five-eighth, having played first for Canterbury in 1993, before being selected for the All Blacks (New Zealand's national ...

to Wellington, without success. In 2006 two new teams entered the competition, the Bloemfontein-based

Cheetahs The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large cat and the fastest land animal. It has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, with a short snout and blac ...

from South Africa and the Perth-based

Western Force The Western Force is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia, currently competing in Super Rugby, Super Rugby Pacific. They previously played in Super Rugby from 2006 until they were axed from the competitio ...

from Australia, creating the Super 14.

Rodney So'oialo Rodney So'oialo (born 3 October 1979 in Motoʻotua, Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union player who recently played in Japan for the Honda Heat. He is now the director of rugby and head coach at Trinity College Kandy, Sri Lanka. Previously, he ...

was appointed captain of the Hurricanes to succeed former

captain

. The team won all but four matches. They made their first Super Rugby final but lost to the

in a match played under thick fog. Following the match there was an incident in a nightclub involving

Chris Masoe Chris Masoe (born 15 May 1979 in Savaii, Western Samoa) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, who last played for Racing Metro 92 in the Top 14 and a current professional boxer. He is the brother of boxer Maselino Masoe. He was born o ...

and

. 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. 2011 saw the arrival of

Mark Hammett Mark Garry 'Hammer' Hammett (born 13 July 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach (sport), coach and former player. Having represented Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Canterbury provincially 76 times, and the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders ...

as coach and the departure of

Andrew Hore Andrew Keith Hore (born 13 September 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2013. His position was hooker. He notably played for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, but also represented the ...

and

Piri Weepu Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu (born 7 September 1983) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. Weepu played most recently for Wairarapa Bush in the Heartland Championship. Generally Weepu played as a half-back but also played at first five-eig ...

. The Hurricanes finished 11th in the

2013 Super Rugby season The 2013 Super Rugby season was the third season of the new 15-team format for the Super Rugby competition involving teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament was won by the Chiefs, who defeated the Canberra-based Brumbi ...

. 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 Thomas Tekanapu Rawakata Perenara (born 23 January 1992), commonly known as TJ Perenara, is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a half-back for the Black Rams Tokyo in the Japan Rugby League One. He has previously played for the Hu ...

was named as vice-captain. 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 Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...

winning 41–0 at

Wellington Regional Stadium Wellington Regional Stadium (commercially known as Sky Stadium through naming rights) is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. The stadium's bowl site size is . The stadium was built in 1999 by Fletcher Construction and is situ ...

. They carried on to the semi-finals playing the Chiefs and winning 25–9 at

. The Hurricanes played the

in the final, winning the game 20–3 at

. This was the first time in

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

Horowhenua-Kapiti

Manawatu

Wairarapa-Bush

Grounds

The Hurricanes play the majority of their home matches at the 34,500 capacity

(formerly named Westpac 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 Palmerston North (; , colloquially known as Palmerston or Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatū Plains, the city is near the north bank of the Manaw ...

and

McLean Park McLean Park is a sports ground in Napier, New Zealand, Napier, New Zealand. The two main sports played at the ground are cricket and rugby union. It is one of the largest List of cricket grounds in New Zealand, cricket grounds in New Zealand. ...

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

, playing at-most one match per year in Palmerston North or Napier.

Region

The team represents the

, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and

unions. In 2013,

severed its ties with the club, signing its allegiance to the in the hope of attracting Chiefs home matches to

New Plymouth New Plymouth () is the major city of the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the English city of Plymouth, in Devon, from where the first English settlers to New Plymouth migrated. The New Pl ...

. On 7 February 2025, the announced that also East Coast had changed its provincial affiliation from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs.

Ownership and Finances

In 2012, it was announced that a new company, Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership, had purchased a licence from the

to operate the club. 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 The Wellington Rugby Football Union (known as the Wellington Lions for competition reasons) are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington Region. The main stadium is Sky Stadium (formerly named Wes ...

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. 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.

Development team

The Hurricanes have fielded a development team in competitions such as the

Pacific Rugby Cup The World Rugby Pacific Challenge, formerly the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, is an annual rugby union football tournament held in Oceania since 2006. It is contested by national 'A' teams (formed from the best locally based players, with most not alre ...

and in matches against other representative teams for several seasons. Known as the Hurricanes Hunters 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.

Honours

Super Rugby (1996–Present)

* Champions (1)

2016 2016 was designated as: * International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. * International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...

* Runners-up (2)

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

2015 2015 was designated by the United Nations as: * International Year of Light * International Year of Soil __TOC__ Events January * January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...

* Playoff Appearances (14)

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

2023 Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

* New Zealand/Australasian Conference Champions (2)

Records and achievements

Season standings

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

Notes

''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.''
''All matches after Round 7 were cancelled. the season remained incomplete and no champion was awarded.''
''Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as a stand-in replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures.''
''Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted the same format in 2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with the addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at the conclusion of the round robin stage.''
''Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover competition between the teams involved in

Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due ...

and

Super Rugby AU Super Rugby AU, formerly named the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for sponsorship purposes, was a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended ...

. Each team from Super Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa once, and vice versa. A final was played between the top two seeded teams at the conclusion of the round robin matches.''

Results per opposition

Hurricanes Super Rugby results vs different opponent
Super Rugby Match Results

Current squad

The squad for the

2025 Super Rugby Pacific season The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season (known as SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific in Australia, Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in Fiji and DHL Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand) is the 30th season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition orga ...

is:

Former players

* Pita Alatini (17 tests, 3 matches) *

Inoke Afeaki Inoke Afeaki (born 12 July 1973 in Tofoa, Tongatapu) is a Tongan former rugby union footballer, coach and administrator. He has played professionally in New Zealand, Japan, Wales, France and Tonga, and coached in France, New Zealand and Singapor ...

* * Bull Allen (8 tests, 19 matches) *

Stephen Bachop Stephen John Bachop (born 2 April 1966) is a New Zealand former rugby union player and current coach. He is the older brother of fellow former All Black, Graeme Bachop. Rugby career Following the 1985 season, Bachop was selected as one of th ...

(5 tests, 13 matches) *

Beauden Barrett Beauden John Barrett (born 27 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a First five-eighth or Fullback for the Blues in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC. Barrett won the World Rugby Player of the Year awards ...

(88 tests, 1 match) * Andrew Blowers (11 tests, 7 matches) * James Broadhurst (1 test) * Sireli Bobo* * Bill Cavubati* * Dane Coles (90 tests) *

Jerry Collins Jerry Collins (4 November 1980 – 5 June 2015) was a professional rugby union player. Although he was born in Apia, Samoa, he grew up in New Zealand and played for the New Zealand national team, earning 48 caps. At club level, he played for th ...

(48 tests, 2 matches) *

Mark Cooksley Mark Stephen Bill Cooksley (born 11 April 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby union player and All Black Lock (rugby union), lock. Cooksley was the tallest All Black ever at 2.05 metres and 125 kg, until this was ...

(11 tests, 12 matches) *

Phil Coffin Phillip Hone Coffin (born 24 July 1964) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Coffin represented King Country and Wellington at a provincial level and played two seasons for the in Super Rugby. In 1996, the inaugural year of the S ...

(3 matches) *

Aaron Cruden Aaron Wiremu Cruden (born 8 January 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for Waikato and formerly Montpellier, Manawatu and New Zealand internationally. Cruden's usual position is fly-half (first five-eighth). Early life Cru ...

(50 tests) *

(58 tests, 2 matches) * Chresten Davis (2 matches) * Rhys Duggan (1 test) *

Jason Eaton Jason John Eaton (born 21 August 1982) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played as a lock. Early life Although born in Palmerston North, Eaton grew up on a farm near the small community of Colyton. He attended Feilding Intermedi ...

(15 tests, 2 matches) * Hika Elliot (4 tests, 1 match) *

Tamati Ellison Tamati Edward Ellison (born 1 April 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Career Domestic Ellison was born in Wellington, and made his debut for the Wellington Lions in the 2003 NPC final defeat against Auckland. He also captained ...

(4 tests, 1 match) * Bryn Evans (2 tests) * Riki Flutey* * Ben Franks (47 tests, 1 match) * Hosea Gear (14 tests, 1 match) *

Zac Guildford Zachary Robert Guildford (born 8 February 1989) is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player who played as a wing most notably for National Provincial Championship club Hawke's Bay and the New Zealand national team. Early life ...

(10 tests, 1 match) *

Norm Hewitt Norman Jason Hewitt (11 November 1968 – 16 July 2024) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played as a Hooker (rugby union), hooker. He won nine caps for the New Zealand national rugby union team, New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. ...

(9 tests, 5 matches) *

(83 tests) *

Cory Jane Cory Steven Jane (born 8 February 1983) is a former New Zealand international rugby union player and current assistant coach. He was a part of the World Cup winning squad in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He first played for the All Blacks in 2008 ...

(53 tests, 2 matches) * Alama Ieremia (30 tests, 10 matches) * Danny Lee (2 tests) *

(63 tests, 10 matches) * Simon Mannix (1 test, 8 matches) *

Alby Mathewson Albert Samuel Mathewson (born 13 December 1985) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half. Early life and education Mathewson was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He first attended Havelock North High School but switched to ...

(4 tests, 1 match) *

(20 tests) * Joe McDonnell (8 tests) *

Brad Mika Bradley Moni Mika (born 2 June 1981) is a New Zealand rugby union player. His position is lock. He was educated at St Peter's College. He made his provincial debut for Auckland in 2000, his Super Rugby debut for Crusaders in 2002, and his inte ...

(3 tests) *

Nehe Milner-Skudder Nehe Rihara Milner-Skudder (born 15 December 1990) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the Rugby New York. He was selected for the All Blacks in 2015, and was a key member of 2015 Rugby World Cup winning team. He score ...

(13 tests) *

Charlie Ngatai Charlie James Ngatai (born 17 August 1990) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a centre, although he can also cover other backline positions. Ngatai last played for Leinster Rugby in Ireland, having previously been Capt ...

(1 test) *

(103 tests, 1 match) *

Jason O'Halloran Jason David O'Halloran (born 28 February 1972 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is an All Blacks, All Black cap and rugby union coach. He is currently an Assistant Coach to Vern Cotter at the Blues (Super Rugby), Blues. He was previously an assist ...

(1 test) *

(69 tests, 1 match) *

Jon Preston Jon Paul Preston (born 15 November 1967) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A halfback and first five-eighth, Preston represented Canterbury and Wellington at a provincial level and the in Super Rugby. He was a member of the New Zeal ...

(10 tests, 17 matches) *

Matt Proctor Matthew Phillip Proctor (born 26 October 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a utility back for the Western Force in Super Rugby. He has previously played for the Northampton Saints in the Premiership Rugby and f ...

(1 test) *

Mark Ranby Richard Mark Ranby (born 1 June 1977) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A Rugby union positions#Centre, midfield back, Ranby represented Manawatu Rugby Union, Manawatu, the Central Vikings Rugby Union, Central Vikings and Waikato Rugby ...

(1 test) *

Roger Randle Roger Quentin Randle (born 15 May 1974 in Hastings, New Zealand) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a wing for the All Blacks. He is currently assistant coach for Chiefs and Maori All Blacks. Career A gifted player whos ...

(2 matches) * John Schwalger (2 tests) * Gordon Slater (3 tests, 3 matches) *

(94 tests) *

Toby Smith Toby Grafftey-Smith (29 October 1970 – 11 April 2017), known professionally as Toby Smith, was an English musician, most famous for being the keyboardist and co-songwriter for Jamiroquai from 1992 until his departure in 2002. Background and ...

* *

(62 tests, 1 match) * Jeremy Stanley (3 matches) * Paul Steinmetz (1 test) * Glenn Taylor (rugby union), Glenn Taylor (1 test, 5 matches) * Jeremy Thrush (12 tests) * Neemia Tialata (43 tests, 1 match) * Filo Tiatia (2 tests) * Isaia Toeava (36 tests, 1 match) * Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (3 tests) * Ofisa Tonu'u (5 tests, 3 matches) * Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (1 test, 2 matches) *

(74 tests, 5 matches) * Kupu Vanisi (1 test) * Victor Vito (33 tests) * Scott Waldrom (1 match) * Dion Waller (1 test, 2 matches) *

(71 tests, 2 matches)

Current coaches

Head coach

*Clark Laidlaw

Assistant coaches

— defence (2020–present) *Brad Cooper — attack (2025–present) *Jamie Mackintosh — forwards (2023–present) * Bryn Evans — line-out and kick-off (2024–present)

Former head coaches and captains

Head coaches

Notes:

Official

competition matches only, including finals.

Captains

* Bull Allen (1996–1998, 30 games – ''Captain'') *

(1998, 3 games, Allen injured) *

(1998-2000, 15 games – ''Captain'') *

(1999, 8 games, Hewitt injured) * Gordon Slater (2001-2002, 22 games – ''Captain'') *

(2003–2005, 35 games – ''Captain'') *

(2004, 3 games, Umaga injured) *

(2006–2009, 49 games – ''Captain'') *Paul Tito (2007, 1 game, So'oialo injured) *

(2009, 1 game, So'oialo injured) *

(2010–2011, 28 games – ''Captain'') * Victor Vito (2011, 2 games, Hore rested; 2013, 1 game) *

(2007, 1 game; 2012–15, 60 games – ''Captain'') *Jeremy Thrush (2014, 3 games, C. Smith injured) * Dane Coles (2015, 1 game, C. Smith rested) (2016–2018 – ''Captain'') *Brad Shields (2017, D. Coles injured; 2018, D. Coles injured; 2024–present – ''Captain'') *

(2016, 2 games, D. Coles injured; 2017, 7 games, D. Coles injured) *Ardie Savea (2019–2023 – ''Captain'') ''The above is a comprehensive list of Hurricanes captains. Official captains are named in the list as "Captain".''

References

External links

*
New Zealand Super Rugby website

SANZAAR Super Rugby website
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hurricanes Hurricanes (rugby union), Super Rugby teams Rugby union teams in New Zealand Rugby union in the Wellington Region Super Rugby champions 1996 establishments in New Zealand Rugby clubs established in 1996