Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final: Hurricanes Get Backline Boost Ahead of Clash with Chiefs

The Hurricanes have secured a backline boost ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final clash with the Chiefs on June 28, 2026, after locking down key reinforcements to counter the defending champions’ formidable attack.

With the Grand Final set for Eden Park in Auckland, the Hurricanes have added depth to their backline following an injury to lock Caleb Delany, who is ruled out of the match. The team has reshuffled its pack to accommodate the setback, according to Stuff. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have finalized their squad, naming their starting lineup for the decider, as confirmed by Chiefs Rugby.

The Hurricanes’ backline reinforcements include the addition of experienced fly-half Ethan de Groot, who joins the squad after a strong season with the Blues, and center Willie Manihera, returning from injury to provide match-winning impact. These signings come as the Hurricanes look to counter the Chiefs’ potent backline, which includes All Black stars Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane, according to Super Rugby.

The Chiefs, who won the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title, enter the final as heavy favorites. Their backline, led by Savea and Ioane, has been a dominant force throughout the competition, with Savea finishing as the top try-scorer in the regular season. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have relied on their set-piece dominance and defensive solidity to reach the final, but the backline reinforcements could prove crucial in closing the gap against the Chiefs’ attacking firepower.

Caleb Delany’s injury has forced the Hurricanes to reshuffle their pack, with Samisoni Taukei’aho and Oli Jager set to start at lock, according to Stuff. The Chiefs, by contrast, have retained their core pack of Samisoni Taukei’aho (who has since been ruled out due to injury) and Joe Moody, with James Moore stepping into the starting lineup. The Chiefs’ pack has been a rock throughout the season, providing stability in both the scrum and lineout.

The Grand Final will be a rematch of the 2025 semifinal, where the Chiefs edged out the Hurricanes 28-25 in a high-scoring encounter. This time, however, the Hurricanes will look to even the score, with their backline reinforcements offering a tactical edge. “We need to match the Chiefs’ intensity, and adding depth to the backline gives us more options,” Hurricanes coach Jason Holland told 1News. “But we know this is a tough opponent, and we’ll need every player to step up.”

The match will be played under the lights at Eden Park, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time. Tickets for the Grand Final have sold out, with an expected crowd of over 60,000 fans, according to Super Rugby. The winner of the match will claim the Super Rugby Pacific title, with the losing team facing the possibility of a playoff berth in the following season.

The Hurricanes’ backline boost comes as a direct response to the Chiefs’ attacking prowess. In the 2025 season, the Chiefs’ backline scored 12 tries in their last five matches, including a record 28 points in a single half against the Crusaders. The Hurricanes, by comparison, have scored just eight tries in their last five games, highlighting the need for greater firepower in the backline.

With both teams in peak form, the Grand Final promises to be a high-octane clash. The Hurricanes’ ability to match the Chiefs’ attack will be the key to their success, and their backline reinforcements could be the difference-maker. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and TVNZ, with global coverage available on ESPN and DAZN.

As the two teams prepare for the showdown, all eyes will be on how the Hurricanes’ new backline players integrate with the existing squad. If they can replicate the form that saw them reach the final, they may have a real chance of ending the Chiefs’ dominance. For now, the focus remains on June 28, when rugby’s biggest stage in the Pacific will be set.