The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals saw the Blues face off against the Hurricanes, with the latter emerging victorious in a 57-21 victory. While the game was close in the first half, the Hurricanes' attack guru, Jason Holland, proved to be a formidable force, as the Blues' defense struggled to contain their onslaught. The second half saw the Hurricanes score five straight tries, with the Blues only managing a consolation effort in the 77th minute.
The Blues' performance was a stark contrast to their previous campaign, and the end of Vern Cotter's era as coach. The team's struggles were evident in their player ratings, with several key players falling short of expectations.
One of the most notable performances was from prop Marcel Renata, who started the game with some mild inaccuracies and went downhill from there. The Hurricanes often found space inside or outside his position, and he was penalised a couple of times in the first half alone. His performance was a stark contrast to that of his counterpart, Xavier Numia, who pushed him backward at scrum time.
The Blues' only reliable go-forward ball-carrier was Patrick Tuipulotu, who was rewarded for his efforts with the team's first try of the game. However, his performance was not without concerns, as he still doesn't move particularly freely, leaving some questions over his All Blacks prospects.
The playmaker, Stephen Perofeta, had some good covering defense early, but struggled to create all that much with the ball. He often overran his line when going up to claim high-balls, and his inability to have an impact with the ball was a significant factor in the team's defeat.
The Hurricanes' attack guru, Jason Holland, proved to be a formidable force, as the Blues' defense struggled to contain their onslaught. The team's struggles were evident in their player ratings, with several key players falling short of expectations.
In conclusion, the Hurricanes' victory in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals was a testament to their strong attack and defense, while the Blues' performance was a stark contrast to their previous campaign. The end of Vern Cotter's era as coach and the team's struggles were evident in their player ratings, leaving questions over their future prospects.
