Overview
- The Hurricanes beat the Blues 57-21 on Saturday, June 13, turning a 19-14 half-time lead into a second-half onslaught that produced nine tries and a decisive rout.
- The win carried the Hurricanes' season totals to a competition record of 104 tries and 685 points, underlining their prolific attack across 2026.
- The Blues lost outside backs Caleb Clarke and AJ Lam early after both failed head injury assessments, a factor that left the visitors short of strike power and altered the match dynamics.
- The Hurricanes will host the Waikato Chiefs in the final after the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 49-12, and Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said the Chiefs' recent final experience makes them the likely favourites.
- Two one-sided semifinals and the Blues advancing as a 'lucky loser' have renewed questions about playoff structure and competitive balance, and the semi also marked the end of Vern Cotter's run as Blues head coach.