It’s been a while but a NZ team has finally tasted victory on Aussie soil for the first time in 2025 after 11 rounds with five to go before Finals time with thanks to the Hurricanes who got away with the win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra 35-29.
Both had their moments and struggles too along the way but again, Hurricanes have the upper hand this time where they got some good players coming back along with a functional attacking backline – particularly the starting left & right wingers where tries were made there.
For Brumbies, they’re still sitting 3rd behind the winning weekend teams Chiefs and Crusaders on the ladder which is good news. Chiefs won early last night v Force who were too good and so does the Crusaders earlier tonight v Highlanders.
But it’s going to be tough road from here when Brumbies will take on Dan McKellar’s Waratahs as the home side now back here at GIO Stadium next Saturday under the lights and they’ve lost the previous one last time in Moore Park.
The Race for Top 6 Finals: First four seems certain with 4-5 teams fighting so hard for places five and six
At least the road for the Top 6 is gonna be extremely tight especially the last two spots and you’ve got four if not five teams gunning for it before it closes after Week 16 and then the second lot of rides go from there with the lucky loser for semis.
Safe bets would be the Western Force and Waratahs over Hurricanes.
Then you’ve got Moana Pasifika also back on track at the right time thanks to Ardie Savea’s return to selection following their Pacific derby afternoon win over the 11th-placed Fijian Drua by 34-15.
Meanwhile, defending champions Blues?
Still a possibility who have the still flying Force next up at Eden Park on Friday after they were battered and bruised by the Reds last night.
And safe to say not so much for Highlanders unfortunately looking at their remaining matches of 2025.
Top players to watch tonight
Looks like we’ve got a World Heavyweight Championship contender Super Rugby version v ten others for that one prestigious belt representing the Hurricanes – Kini Naholo, brilliant stuff with two tries tonight on the left 11.
Xavier Numia made a big difference when he helped the Canes increase their lead on the reserve front row and great to see Billy Proctor back with a bang at 13.
Still more work to do but hey, Canes now back in Top 6 firing all cylinders from the wings as the first team to win on Aussie shores this season.
Brumbies, meanwhile, couldn’t do much defensively while they’ve lacked ball (should’ve gone all-in expansive) other than some quick plays and solid late momentum.
Nick Frost gave them a fighting chance (second row 4) where Brumbies could’ve done any better had the Canes continued to slip up more often like last Saturday v Force – bonus point better than nothing.
