Siale Lauaki, left, Brayden Iose and Jone Rova celebrate the Hurricanes' semifinal win over the Blues.

Hurricanes and Chiefs promise spectacular Super Rugby final

The two best teams in the competition reached next Saturday's showdown after remarkably similar semifinal demolitions.

Sun, Jun 14

Isaac Hutchison of the Chiefs celebrates a try by Kyren Taumoefolau of the Chiefs, Chiefs v Crusaders, semi final match of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific rugby union competition at FMG Stadium, Hamilton.

Chiefs thrash Crusaders to secure Super Rugby final

The Chiefs were simply sensational in the opening 40 minutes, ruthlessly racking up a scarcely believable 42-5 scoreline.

Sat, Jun 13

Beauden Barrett is back after missing the last two Blues' matches due to a quadriceps injury.

Analysis: Hurricanes ready to blow but don't count out Crusaders

Scotty Stevenson and Patrick McKendry discuss Super Rugby's upcoming semifinals – including what Beauden Barrett's return means for the Blues.

Wed, Jun 10

Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard.

'Faced a lot of adversity' - Hurricanes fuelled by past finals failures

Halfback Cam Roigard says his team are embracing the expectation as competition front-runners ahead of Saturday's semifinal.

Wed, Jun 10

Leicester Fainga'anuku is tackled by the Blues during the Crusaders' playoff win at Te Kaha.

Analysis: Fainga'anuku's head knock puts concussion protocols in spotlight

The Crusader was rocked by a high tackle in his team's win over the Blues but did not receive a head injury assessment, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Jun 7

Wallace Sititi leaves the field after a major head knock against the Reds in Hamilton.

Concerns for injured Wallace Sititi as Chiefs beat Reds

The Chiefs will have a home Super Rugby Pacific semifinal, but are likely to be without star No.8 Wallace Sititi, who suffered a head injury in their 46-24 win.

Sun, Jun 7

Wallace Sititi leaves the field after a major head knock against the Reds in Hamilton.

All Blacks star hospitalised after head knock in Chiefs qualifying final

Footage showed the Chiefs loose forward rolling into the recovery position before visibly shaking, with play stopped as medical staff attended to him.

Sat, Jun 6

Johnny McNicholl of the Crusaders scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal at One NZ Stadium.

Crusaders crush Blues 52-31 to reach Super Rugby semifinals

Their opponents and the venue of their semifinal will be determined by the result of Saturday's Chiefs v Reds match.

Sat, Jun 6

Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu.

'Lucky loser' playoff concept is 'weird', say Blues

If the Hurricanes and Chiefs win this weekend, the Blues will go through to the Super Rugby semifinals even if they lost to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Thu, Jun 4

Codie Taylor makes a break for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes last weekend.

'Adds more motivation' – Crusaders celebrate home comforts

The Crusaders have sold out their new stadium five times in a row and welcome a Blues team counting the cost after their defeat to the Chiefs.

Thu, Jun 4

Damian McKenzie has missed two games for the Chiefs after catching a boot to the head in his team's win over the Highlanders.

'I'm ready' – McKenzie poised to return for Chiefs in playoffs

The Chiefs and All Blacks No.10 says he has recovered from a head injury which sidelined him for two weeks.

Tue, Jun 2

Sevu Reece, in his 100th game for the Crusaders, makes a break against the Hurricanes.

Crusaders sell out Blues playoff match in 20 minutes

The qualifier game will likely be the final Crusaders match at their new home this season.

Tue, Jun 2

May 2026
The Chiefs celebrate a try during their final round victory over the Blues in Hamilton in front of a dejected looking Zarn Sullivan.

Blues sunk by Chiefs but 'lucky loser' semifinal place looms

The Blues, needing a win over the Chiefs to secure a home qualifier, were thrashed, but they may yet make the top four, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, May 31

Tupou Vaa'i, left, and Scott Barrett in action for the All Blacks against Argentina last year.

Analysis: Scott Barrett's injury puts spotlight on All Blacks locking depth

Dave Rennie can currently select four Test locks in his squad next month but, beyond that quartet, the cupboard is rather bare, writes Patrick McKendry.

Fri, May 29

Will Jordan pictured warming up for the Crusaders before their recent win over the Chiefs in Christchurch.

Calf issue rules Will Jordan out for rest of Super Rugby season

A recurrence of a calf injury during the Crusaders' win at the weekend will sideline Jordan for another four to six weeks.

Tue, May 26

Ruben Love runs in for his try for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders.

Analysis: Hurricanes' title push keeps Love in All Blacks' spotlight

Ruben Love is currently the best performing No.10 in the country and should look to July Test series with confidence, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, May 24

Caleb Tangitau brushes off a defender during the Highlanders' win over the Waratahs in Dunedin last weekend.

Extra edge as All Blacks hopefuls are put on notice by Rennie

Those in the New Zealand frame among the Chiefs and Highlanders may feel under more intense scrutiny during the round 14 match in Hamilton.

Thu, May 14

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie's Japanese club Kobe Steelers have finished top qualifiers after the Japan League One round robin.

'It has to be': Rennie on whether there's time to ready the All Blacks

The new head coach is juggling two jobs but has assistance from a variety of people – including NBA star Steven Adams and new selector Sir Graham Henry.

Tue, May 12

George Bower celebrates his try for the Crusaders against the Blues.

Analysis: Leicester's powerful influence is taking Crusaders places

Fainga'anuku's switch from the midfield to flanker (and back again) has made the Crusaders' attack far more threatening, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, May 10

April 2026
Leicester Fainga'anuku celebrates his try against the Brumbies.

Hurricanes wary as Crusaders ready to let Leicester loose again

Fainga'anuku will start at No.7 again for the Crusaders against a Hurricanes team on the up this season.

Thu, Apr 30

Blues players celebrate Beauden Barrett's successful extra-time penalty which helped them beat the Reds at Te Kaha Stadium.

Analysis: Wildly successful 'super round' gives rugby the boost it needs

Christchurch turned it on this weekend and provided a public relations win for the game at just the right time, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Apr 26

Chiefs wing Leroy Carter looks for space against the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: Is 'robotic' Super Rugby entering a mid-life crisis?

The competition is celebrating its 30-year anniversary but the vibe just seems off in 2026, suggest 1News writers Scotty Stevenson and Patrick McKendry.

Wed, Apr 22

The Chiefs' players including Damian McKenzie, celebrate their extra-time victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: McKenzie survives close call as Chiefs take top spot

The Chiefs No.10 starred again against the Hurricanes but a risky decision at the end of regulation time could have backfired, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Apr 19

March 2026
Tupou Vaa'i and the Chiefs react to conceding a try to the Brumbies in Canberra.

All Black's knee injury adds more pain to Chiefs' defeat

Tupou Vaa'i and two of his teammates have left the Chiefs' squad in Australia a week early following a dispiriting loss in Canberra.

Sun, Mar 22

Match officials, from left, Todd Petrie, Ben O' Keeffe and Maggie Cogger-Orr look at the big screen during the Blues v Chiefs match in round one.

'Frustration': Do Super Rugby officials have breakdown blindness?

Analysis: Suspicions remain – despite denials – that the ruck area is being refereed more leniently in Super Rugby, writes Patrick McKendry.

Fri, Mar 20