Hurricanes vs Chiefs Preview & Tips - Chiefs backed for Super Rugby glory

The Chiefs return to the final for the fourth consecutive season as they look to add a third crown to their trophy cabinet after missing out in each of their last three attempts. 

The Chiefs have won seven of their last 10 matches against the Hurricanes, with the latter winning the other three. 

The Hurricanes finished at the top of the Super Rugby ladder in the regular season after winning 11 of their 14 matches. With just three defeats coming in this time, their collection of 11 bonus points ensured that they finished four clear of their next opponents in second. 

Across their last 10, they have won eight times, with the side arriving for this one on the back of two successive wins. Worrying for the 'Canes will be who they have lost those games against. Defeat to the Chiefs back on April 18 may have come after the 80 minutes ended level at 17-17, but the 'Canes could not come out on top as they slumped to a 22-17 loss. 

Their last defeat came on May 29, with the Hurricanes blown away by the Crusaders in a stunning 47-14 defeat. This defeat displayed the 'Canes are far from perfect, and that if a side can get at them, they will make mistakes and ship points. More worrying still is the fact the Chiefs humiliated the Crusaders 49-12 when they met in the semi-finals. 

I do not foresee a big win for either side. Three of the last four meetings have seen the winning margin stand at 13 points or less. My worry for the 'Canes is that they have struggled against the best of late, and I predict a heart-breaking defeat for the side in the grand final. 

Despite finishing four points short of the Hurricanes at the top of the ladder at the end of the regular season, the Chiefs find themselves in another Super Rugby grand final. 

11 regular season wins have come alongside wins in the qualifying round against the Reds (46-24) and the semi-finals against the Crusaders (49-12), with the Chiefs in red-hot form right now. Their win over the Crusaders was particularly impressive as the Chiefs went in 42-5 up at half-time. While they did take their foot off the accelerator in the second-half, they still managed to hold their opponents 7-7 in the second-half in an impressive defensive display. 

All in all, the Chiefs managed to showcase their dangerous attack in the first-half before being rock-solid defensively in the second-half.

It is precisely this kind of all-round performance that makes the Chiefs so dangerous. While the Chiefs have lost in the grand final in 2023, 2024 and 2025, they will be confident they can end this run. While I back a nervy final in which the best two sides meet, I do not see the top side winning as the Chiefs secure the trophy.