With pre-season wrapped up, both teams now shift focus to the Super Rugby Pacific opener. The Hurricanes will be brimming with confidence as they prepare to face the Crusaders in Christchurch, while the Blues will host the Chiefs at Eden Park in what promises to be an exciting start to the season. Both sides will take valuable lessons from this clash as they prepare for Round One. For now, that rounds things off in this one. Thanks for tuning into Tribe.

The Blues fought hard in the dying stages, adding two late tries through Cameron Suafoa in the 78th minute and Patrick Tuipulotu in stoppage time, but the damage had been done. The Hurricanes' impact players, including Pasilio Tosi and Lakai, played a vital role in closing out the game, while Tuipulotu and Mark Tele’a made strong contributions off the bench for the Blues. Despite the late resurgence from the visitors, the Hurricanes' defensive resilience and opportunistic play proved the difference.

The second half remained tight for the first 20 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The Hurricanes eventually broke through in the 63rd minute when Riley Hohepa’s chip-and-chase forced an error, allowing him to link with Kade Banks, who showed tremendous gas to score in the right corner. Just three minutes later, the Hurricanes struck again through Fehi Fenianganofo, who got the turnover ball, chipped ahead, and showed blistering pace to win the race for the try. With the game still hanging in the balance, Peter Lakai delivered a crucial moment in the 72nd minute, picking off a pass from Harry Plummer and sprinting 35 metres to score.

The first half was a physical contest, with Du'Plessis Kirifi standing out for the Hurricanes as a constant menace at the breakdown. Harry Godfrey controlled the game well from first-five, while Umaga-Jensen and Proctor combined effectively in midfield. The Blues, despite an early advantage, struggled to regain momentum as the Hurricanes' forward pack asserted dominance. Funaki and Barrett continued to work well together, and Anton Segner was busy at number eight, but the visitors went into half-time trailing by 5 points.

The Hurricanes secure a comfortable 12-point victory over the Blues in Wainuiomata, finishing their pre-season campaign on a high note. The Blues struck first in the 7th minute when Taufa Funaki linked with Beauden Barrett from an attacking scrum, collecting the return pass to dive over in the corner. The Hurricanes responded well, dominating at scrum time and shifting the ball wide in the 21st minute, where Peter Umaga-Jensen put Kini Naholo over for their first try. The home side took the lead in the 33rd minute when Cam Roigard broke through the defence with a huge dummy, setting up Billy Proctor for a clinical finish.

Plummer steers it through the sticks from just to the left of the posts, and that is full-time.

A CONSOLATION TRY FOR THE BLUES! More pick and goes for the Blues forwards now as the Hurricanes defence remains strong. Left it goes for Ioane, but play breaks down, so the referee comes back for the offside penalty against the Hurricanes. Tap and go for Choat to be stopped in front of the posts. Quick ball for Tuipulotu to pick and go, and he powers over to the left of the posts!