Hurricanes (rugby union)

Hurricanes
UnionNew Zealand Rugby Union
Nickname(s)The 'Canes
Founded1996; 28 years ago (1996)
LocationWellington, New Zealand
RegionEast Coast
Hawke's Bay
Horowhenua Kapiti
Manawatū
Poverty Bay
Wairarapa-Bush
Whanganui
Wellington
Ground(s)Sky Stadium
(Capacity: 34,500)
Coach(es)Clark Laidlaw
Captain(s)Brad Shields
Most capsTJ Perenara (155)
Top scorerBeauden Barrett (1238)
League(s)Super Rugby Pacific
2024Semi-finalist
1st overall
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.hurricanes.co.nz

The Hurricanes (/ˈhʌrɪknz/ HURR-ik-aynz;[1] Māori: Hau Āwhiowhio;[2] formerly the Wellington Hurricanes) is a New Zealand professional men's rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in Super Rugby. The Hurricanes were formed to represent the lower North Island, including the East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatū, Poverty Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington unions. They currently play at Sky Stadium (formerly named Westpac Stadium), having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park.[3]

The Hurricanes had a poor first season in 1996's Super 12, but rebounded in 1997 with a third placing. The team did not reach the play-offs for another five years as they struggled in the bottom four of the table. Since 2003 the Hurricanes have made the post-season play-offs seven times out of fourteen seasons, including the 2006 final, which they lost in foggy weather against the Crusaders 19–12. After hosting but failing to win the final in 2015, the 2016 season was the Hurricanes' best season to date. They won the final 20-3 against the Lions, after again finishing the regular season first and hosting the final.

  1. ^ Hay, Jennifer; Maclagan, Margaret; Gordon, Elizabeth (2008), New Zealand English, Dialects of English, Edinburgh University Press, p. 31, ISBN 978-0-7486-2529-1
  2. ^ "Hau Āwhiowhio - Te Aka Māori Dictionary". Hau Āwhiowhio - Te Aka Māori Dictionary.
  3. ^ Amie Mills. "Cake Tin lacks a certain build-up to the game?". Victoria University of Wellington. Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.