Super Rugby 2026 Grand Final preview: Hurricanes or Chiefs?

The Super Rugby grand final is almost here and it’s an absolute doozy.

The two best teams all season are in the decider with the Hurricanes to take on the Chiefs in front of a sold-out crowd in Wellington.

The Chiefs are searching for their first title since 2013 having lost the last three finals, while the ‘Canes only triumph came a decade ago.

Someone’s drought has to end.

Let’s take a look at the match-ups and predict a winner.

HURRICANES v CHIEFS | Wellington | Saturday 7.05pm

There are tasty match-ups all over the park with Dave Rennie set to name his first 34-man All Blacks squad of the year at midday on Monday.

Let’s start out wide.

BACK THREE

Isaac Hutchinson is a big out for the Chiefs.

The electric fullback was on fire before getting injured with Liam Coombes-Fabling taking his place and Leroy Carter starting on the wing with speedster Kyren Taumoefolau.

The ‘Canes have Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby on the wings with a combined 31 tries between them and rising star Callum Harkin at the back.

Advantage Hurricanes

MIDFIELD

Quinn Tupaea is the Super Rugby player of the year for a reason after being on fire over the past 12 months dating back to last year with the All Blacks.

He’ll partner unheralded centre Kyle Brown in the Chiefs midfield.

Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor have formed a formidable partnership over several seasons now for the ‘Canes and will be hard to break down.

Advantage Hurricanes

INSIDE BACKS

Damian McKenzie has become the first-five we all wanted him to be this season.

His game management has been sensational, mixing his kicking, passing, and running game expertly.

Cortez Ratima has been a mixed bag but showed signs in the semi-final that he’s getting back to his best.

And he’ll need to be against Cam Roigard who’s the dangerman at halfback for the Hurricanes, forming a lethal combination with Ruben Love who looks like he’s been playing first-five all his life.

Advantage Hurricanes

LOOSE FORWARDS

This is the area Dave Rennie will be watching the closest.

Simon Parker had his best game of the season for the Chiefs last week, Luke Jacobson was made for big games, while no one hits harder than Samipeni Finau.

Devan Flanders is back in his last game for the ‘Canes before heading to Japan and was on fire before his concussion, Du’Plessis Kirifi is a menace at ruck time, while Peter Lakai continues to prove he’s the best number eight in the country.

No advantage for either side

LOCKS

Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord have been doing it all season for the Chiefs and have every base covered from winning lineouts, making big tackles, and carrying hard.

Warner Dearns is the best lock in the competition and will be joined by Isaia Walker-Leawere who’s a more than adequate replacement for Caleb Delany who’s out with a head-knock.

Advantage Chiefs

FRONT ROW

Samisoni Taukei’aho is taking no prisoners this season and is an absolute weapon with the ball in hand, and in combination with props Ollie Norris and Sione Ahio, they don’t take a backwards step at scrum time.

Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, and Pasilio Tosi might have something to say about that though, they’re solid at set-piece while their open field play is hard to contain.

Advantage Hurricanes

BENCH

Brodie McAlister is the only All Black on the bench for the Chiefs who will be looking at Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, and Josh Jacomb to provide the most impact.

The Hurricanes are stacked with the likes of Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, and Kini Naholo to come on and do some damage.

Advantage Hurricanes

So on paper, it’s the Hurricanes who have the strongest team and deserve to be favourites.

But it’s the top two inches that matter most in grand finals, and the pain the Chiefs have been through in the past three years will drive them to their first title in 13 years.

Prediction: Chiefs by three