80-612: The Highlanders may refer to: Highlanders (rugby union) , a professional rugby union team Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) , the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland The Highlanders Shinty Club , a shinty club representing the British Army The Highlanders (professional wrestling) , professional wrestling tag team that formerly worked for WWE The Highlanders (Doctor Who) ,
160-587: A Doctor Who serial NorthEast United Nickname of an ISL team. See also [ edit ] Highlander (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title The Highlanders . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Highlanders&oldid=974237558 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
240-521: A competition record. Following their last place in the 1997 season, Tony Gilbert was appointed as coach. Their first game under his guidance was an upset 26–19 win over the Queensland Reds. The Highlanders eventually became the first New Zealand side to defeat all four South African teams in one season. After defeating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld they needed the Queensland Reds not to defeat
320-524: A few years, they would bottom out with a player exodus following the 2007 Rugby World Cup . The squad's entire All Black front row of Carl Hayman , Anton Oliver , and Clarke Dermody left for lucrative contracts in Europe, while star first-five Nick Evans moved north to Auckland to play for the Blues , and hugely talented young lock James Ryan was forced to retire at age 24 due to injury problems. Joining
400-591: A new head coach, but also thirteen new players in their squad. This all contributed to them finishing the season ninth that season. The Highlanders' 2005 season started with a loss to the Blues at Carisbrook. Following this the side won six games consecutively, the first time the franchise had ever done so. After a draw with the Stormers and a bye, the Highlanders had gone unbeaten for eight weeks. Three weeks from
480-546: A season with 178, becoming just the third Highlander to score 25 points in a game. The 2000 year saw perhaps their greatest victory ever with their 65–23 win against the Bulls, setting several records; most points in a match, most tries in a match with nine, and largest winning margin of 42. Former first five-eighth Tony Brown holds the record for most career points with 857. His 857 career points included 144 conversions, 183 penalties, and six drop-goals. The most points in
560-715: A single match is held by former fullback Ben Blair who scored 28 against the Sharks in 2005. Most career tries is held by former player Jeff Wilson with 35. Wilson and Blair also share the record for most tries in a single match with three along with Israel Dagg , Doug Howlett , Ryan Nicholas , Jeremy Stanley , and To'o Vaega . The squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season is: Props Hookers Locks Loose forwards Halfbacks (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves) Hurricanes (rugby union) The Hurricanes ( / ˈ h ʌr ɪ k eɪ n z / HURR -ik-aynz ; Māori : Hau Āwhiowhio ; formerly
640-409: A stand-in replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures. ^4 Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted the same format in 2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with
720-598: A win over the defending champions Crusaders in Dunedin and finished their season in 6th place. Despite this, they would suffer a shock loss to the Waratahs after leading 23–3 at one point, they lost 30–23 in Sydney. 2019 was another up and down season for the Highlanders. At the end of the overall season the Highlanders had won 6, drawn 3 and lost 7, which somehow put them into 8th for the playoffs. However, they would lose to
800-687: Is a joint venture between the Wellington Rugby Football Union owning 50 per cent of shares with the remaining 50 per cent held by a consortium of private investors, led by noted economist and author Gareth Morgan . The Hurricanes have fielded a development team in competitions such as the Pacific Rugby Cup and in matches against other representative teams for several seasons. Known as the Hurricanes Hunters ; or Hurricanes Development XV,
880-486: Is also known as "The Brook", or as "The House of Pain" due to its reputation as a difficult venue to visit. The stadium was also well known for Dunedin's large student population (known as "Scarfies") that occupied the terraces—an uncovered concrete embankment at the eastern end of the ground. The Highlanders usually play at least one regular season match outside of Dunedin, at either Rugby Park in Invercargill or
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#1732798419691960-482: Is also the predominant colour of the Flag of Scotland , and is used by many sports teams in that country. On 3 June 2011, the Highlanders introduced—controversially—a new predominantly lime green home kit. It was debuted in the Highlanders' final home match of the 2011 Super Rugby season. Despite the resounding negative feedback from fans, this kit was initially confirmed for the 2012 season. On 6 September 2011, however,
1040-664: Is composed of Highlanders contracted players, wider training group members, under 20s, and selected club players. 2015 1999 2021 1998 , 1999 , 2000 , 2002 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2022 , 2024 A season-by-season summary of Highlanders regular season results is shown below: ^1 Teams were awarded four points for a bye during the Super Rugby seasons from 2011 to 2013. Each team took two bye rounds each season. These additional 8 points are included in their season points tally. ^2 All matches after Round 7 were cancelled.
1120-613: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Highlanders (rugby union) The Highlanders ( Māori : Kahupeka ; formerly the Otago Highlanders ) is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby . The team was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competition, and includes
1200-415: Is shown below: ^1 Teams were awarded four points for a bye during the Super Rugby seasons from 2011 to 2013. Each team took two bye rounds each season. These additional 8 points are included in their season points tally. ^2 All matches after Round 7 were cancelled. the season remained incomplete and no champion was awarded. ^3 Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as
1280-466: The 2012 season ; the stadium opened in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup , but after the Super Rugby season. They finished the inaugural season eighth, and the following season finished last after winning only three of eleven matches. However, in the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons they qualified for semi-finals; hosting the 1999 competition final against fellow South Island team the Crusaders . They lost
1360-520: The All Black squad. The team also benefited from the steady hand of David Holwell at first five-eighth and an improving and mobile forward pack. Hurricanes stalwart Christian Cullen would leave New Zealand shores for Irish club Munster after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup squad, despite scoring eight tries during the season. All Black great Jonah Lomu was left out of
1440-621: The Brumbies by a large margin. Queensland were defeated by the Brumbies 23–16 and the Highlanders finished fourth, thus qualifying for the semi-finals. In the semi-final, they faced defending champions the Auckland Blues at Eden Park. The Blues were leading 20–16 at halftime, and were leading 30–26 before a controversial try to Adrian Cashmore pushed the Blues to a 37–26 lead. Joeli Vidiri had illegally taken out Highlander Stanley off
1520-489: The Bulls . This game attracted a crowd of 10,000; one of the Highlanders' biggest of the 2009 season. The Highlanders have fielded a development team in competitions such as the Pacific Rugby Cup and in matches against other representative teams for several seasons. Known as the Highlanders Development XV, the squad is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in the Highlanders catchment area and
1600-629: The Canterbury Crusaders at Lancaster Park, and they finished the season eighth on the table. 1997 was the least successful season ever for the Highlanders. They finished last in the competition, and managed only three wins. They were now coached by Glenn Ross and captained by Taine Randell . Their eight defeats that season included a 75–43 loss to Natal in Durban . The points scored by Natal included 50 points by Gavin Lawless –
1680-586: 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. The Hurricanes were formed in 1996 as one of five New Zealand Super 12 teams, and were originally called the Wellington Hurricanes. The team's first coach
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#17327984196911760-429: The Crusaders in a match played under thick fog. Following the match there was an incident in a nightclub involving Chris Masoe and Tana Umaga . The club finances benefitted from on-pitch success, with NZ$ 1.36 million profit on its 2006 turnover of NZ$ 7.44 million. The Hurricanes returned to the semi-finals in both 2008 and 2009, however were unable to capture the same success in subsequent seasons. 2011 saw
1840-404: The Crusaders , 41–29, in front of a packed house. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the Bulls to stay in contention. However, the Hurricanes played one of their worst games of the year, losing the match to one of the worst performing teams at that point in the competition's history and lost the possibility of qualifying for
1920-576: The Otago , North Otago and Southland unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that founded the Otago , North Otago , and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s. Their main ground through the 2011 Super Rugby season was Carisbrook in Dunedin , with home games occasionally being played in Invercargill and Queenstown . The Highlanders moved into Carisbrook's replacement, Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza , for
2000-863: The Queenstown Events Centre in Queenstown . Prior to 2007 the regular season match was usually played at Rugby Park, however in 2007 they played a match at the Queenstown Events Centre. The Highlanders have also played pre-season matches at Centennial Park in Oamaru and at the Showgrounds in Balclutha . On 28 March 2009, the Highlanders played a home game at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North against
2080-733: The Waikato Chiefs and then the Crusaders. After defeating the Reds, the Highlanders lost to the New South Wales Waratahs at Carisbrook. The next week they defeated the Brumbies at the same venue. In their next match, despite leading the Wellington Hurricanes 14–3 at half time, the Highlanders lost when Hurricanes half back Jason Spice scored in the corner to give the Hurricanes a 21–19 victory. Had
2160-577: 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
2240-463: The 2001 National Provincial Championship (NPC), and was appointed the Highlanders coach for 2002. Their season started with a narrow 30–28 loss to the Crusaders at Jade Stadium. That year the Highlanders also achieved a win over all four South African teams. The Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy was also introduced that season to be contested between the Highlanders and Blues. Gordon Hunter had coached both teams before dying from cancer in 2001. The match
2320-411: The 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a kidney transplant . He would never again play for the Hurricanes. The majority of the team was retained< for 2005. including new centre Conrad Smith . The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth was the real "find" of
2400-609: The Blues 22–11 to retain the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy. In April that year it was revealed a rift had developed between coach Laurie Mains and some of the senior players in the squad. Anton Oliver was branded the ringleader by Mains, and after their final game of the season Mains resigned and was replaced by his assistant Greg Cooper . In contrast to their previous season, in 2004 the Highlanders conceded 44 tries, twelve more than in 2003, but scored nine more tries then in 2003. Not only did they have
2480-470: The Brumbies in the semi-final, the Hurricanes lost the final against the Highlanders 21–14. It was the final Super Rugby match for Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush – all Hurricanes that have played over 100 caps. On 8 December 2015, Rugby World Cup-winning hooker Dane Coles was named captain for the 2016 season. Rugby World Cup-winning halfback TJ Perenara was named as vice-captain. 2016
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2560-651: The Chiefs (28–27) and (31–33) and one against the Hurricanes (38–21) The 2021 season of Super Rugby Aotearoa saw the Highlanders finish 4th again, with 3 wins. They beat the Chiefs (23–39), Crusaders (12–33) and the Blues (35–29). After the season of Super Rugby Aotearoa finished, the Highlanders will partake in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman (competition between the NZ and Australian teams) in which they won all 5 of their games against Australian opposition, and went to
2640-747: The Crusaders in that game (38–14) After 7 rounds of the 2020 Super Rugby season, the Highlanders were 11th overall and 5th in the NZ conference. They were bound to play the Jaguares in round 7 but the COVID-19 pandemic suspended play of that game and cancelled the rest of the tournament. However, domestic Super Rugby competitions started up, and the one in New Zealand was Super Rugby Aotearoa. The Highlanders finished 4th in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 winning only 3 games, 2 of which were against
2720-412: The Crusaders, they then won their next three. After only won two of their last six games, they finished the season ranked ninth. The 2007 ended with a similar result to 2006. The Highlanders again finished ninth on the table, and worst of the New Zealand teams. They finished the season with five wins and eight losses from their thirteen matches. While the fortunes of the franchise had been declining for
2800-567: The Highlanders won they would have finished top of the table and hosted a semi-final at Carisbrook. Instead they then had to travel to South Africa where they defeated the Stormers 33–18. The Highlanders travelled back to Dunedin for the 1999 Super 12 Final , which was against South Island rivals the Canterbury Crusaders, and was billed as "the party at Tony Brown's house" after Highlanders first five-eighth Tony Brown . The Highlanders scored first, and led 14–9 at half time. However
2880-611: The ITM Cup and Air New Zealand Cup), and North Otago in the amateur Heartland Championship . Starting with the 2012 season, the Highlanders moved into the Forsyth Barr Stadium , opened in August 2011. It was built to replace their original home of Carisbrook , which was no longer suitable for international rugby, or as a venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup . The Carisbrook Stadium Trust was established in 2006 to manage
2960-738: The North Otago, Otago, and Southland provincial rugby unions. The 1996 team was captained by John Leslie and coached by Gordon Hunter . Their first Super 12 match was against the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook on 3 March 1996, whom they defeated 57–17. After three matches the Highlanders were undefeated and leading the competition. However the following week at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa they were defeated 59–29 by Northern Transvaal . They only won two more games that season, against Natal at Carisbrook and against
3040-475: The Sharks, Hurricanes and Cats. However they then lost their following three; against the Crusaders, Brumbies, and Blues. They played the Crusaders at Jade Stadium in their semi-final, and were defeated 37–15 after Marika Vunibaka scored two tries for the Crusaders in the last 20 minutes. The next season opened with a 23–8 victory over the Blues. Their 39–20 defeat of the Waratahs at Carisbrook on 7 April
3120-470: The addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at the conclusion of the round robin stage. ^5 Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover competition between the teams involved in Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU . Each team from Super Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa once, and vice versa. A final was played between the top two seeded teams at
3200-494: The arrival of Mark Hammett as coach and the departure of Andrew Hore , Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu . The Hurricanes finished 11th in the 2013 Super Rugby season . 2015 saw the Hurricanes finish first in the regular season, topping the table with 66 points and a win–loss record of 14–2 in round robin play. The Hurricanes picked up the New Zealand Conference trophy after beating the Highlanders. After beating
3280-654: The ball. The following season in 1999 the Highlanders improved on their 1997 season record by reaching and hosting the tournament final. They opened their season with a 19–13 victory over the Auckland Blues at Carisbrook. This was followed by a victory over the Northern Bulls, the Stormers at Carisbrook, and the Cats , before their first loss of the season to the Sharks. They returned to New Zealand to defeat
The Highlanders - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-399: The club announced a change of heart—they would be returning to their traditional blue strip for home matches, and using the lime green kit for away matches during the 2012 Super Rugby season. The Highlanders' franchise area consists of the region controlled by the North Otago, Otago and Southland Rugby Unions. Both Otago and Southland compete in the semi-professional Mitre 10 Cup (formerly
3440-635: The club, signing its allegiance to the Chiefs in the hope of attracting Chiefs home matches to New Plymouth . In 2012, it was announced that a new company, Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership, had purchased a licence from the NZRU to operate the club. While the NZRU retains ownership of the team, as well as control of the contracts of the players and head coach, the licensee is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations. Hurricanes Investment Ltd Partnership
3520-496: The competition. 2003 was the beginning of a new era for the Hurricanes as they reached the semi-finals for just the second time in their history on the back of a strong seven-game winning streak mid-season. Their success came partly with the break-out year for mid-fielder Ma'a Nonu , his strong performances and partnership with captain Tana Umaga pushed out former All Black Pita Alatini and saw him score six tries en route to
3600-451: The conclusion of the round robin matches. Hurricanes Super Rugby results vs different opponents Super Rugby Match Results The squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season is: Props Hookers Locks Loose forwards Halfbacks (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves) Midfielders (centres) Outside backs Notes: The above is a comprehensive list of Hurricanes captains. Official captains are named in
3680-476: The consistent form shown during this season would not be seen again for many years. Following their 1997 season, the Hurricanes failed to qualify for the semi-finals until 2003. Despite this, they were still known for the attacking nature of their backline that included the All Blacks stars Tana Umaga and Christian Cullen . The team played with flair and could score at any moment, whatever their position on
3760-417: The decisive try was to Crusaders wing Afato So'oalo, who chipped the ball then out-sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score. Although the Highlanders scored a try to Isitolo Maka with three minutes remaining, the Crusaders won 24–19. The Highlanders opened their 2000 season with a 50–13 victory over the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook. They won their next three matches, against
3840-578: The end of the round robin they were third, but after losing their remaining three matches fell to eighth for the season. After ten years the Super 12 was expanded to include two extra teams; the Western Force from Australia, and the Cheetahs from South Africa. The expanded competition was renamed the Super 14. The Highlanders continued under Cooper in 2006. After losing their first match of 2006 to
3920-559: The end of the year to finish 8th on the table. Highlanders won the 2015 Super Rugby season defeating the Hurricanes 21–14 in Wellington. Phil Gifford called the win the "greatest Super Rugby comeback this century". In 2017, the Highlanders won over the British & Irish Lions 23–22 at Dunedin, during the Lions tour to New Zealand . 2018 was a season of ups and downs for the Highlanders. They started their season 3–0 including
4000-434: The exodus were several other veteran starters, along with coach Greg Cooper who left the franchise to take up an assistant coaching position with the Blues. The coach for the 2008 season, Glenn Moore, was appointed 28 August 2007. Moore was left with a weak side of young and inexperienced players which would stumble to a franchise-worst record of only 3 wins against 10 losses during the 2008 Super 14 season , and finished as
4080-465: The field, giving rise to the teams catch cry of 'expect the unexpected'. However the team struggled for consistent performances and at crunch time in matches, leading to patchy form and results. After the 1999 World Cup , Jonah Lomu 's contract with the NZRU expired he was linked to many clubs around the world, in rugby league as well as union and also the NFL 's Dallas Cowboys . On 23 November 1999 it
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#17327984196914160-559: The final against the Blues, which they lost 23–15. 2022 was one of the worst years ever for the Highlanders. The Highlanders were winless until Round 8, when they beat Moana Pasifika 37–17. After two more losses, things began to look up for them, beating the Drua 27–24, the Reds (27–19) and the Force (61–10) which put them in quarter-finals contention, since they had many losing bonus points alongside that. However, they lost their last two games of
4240-409: The final, winning the game 20-3 at Wellington Regional Stadium . This was the first time in Super Rugby history that the Hurricanes won the title. It was Victor Vito 's final and 100th game for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes looked to win another championship title in 2017, taking out 12 of 15 games and making it to the quarter-finals against the Brumbies, which the Hurricanes won 16-35. However, in
4320-575: The founders of Dunedin —known as the " Edinburgh of the South", and the city where the Highlanders are based. According to the Highlanders official website: " The name and image of the Highlander conjures up visions of fierce independence, pride in one's roots, loyalty, strength, kinship, honesty, and hard work." The colours of the Highlanders formerly encompassed the provincial colours of North Otago, Otago, and Southland; yellow, blue and maroon. Blue
4400-574: The franchise. The 2003 season started with a 29–16 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton . They then defeated the Stormers and Bulls before losing to the Cats in Johannesburg. Their second loss occurred when the Crusaders defeated them 17–16 at Carisbrook. The Highlanders had gone three seasons, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and 16 games unbeaten at Carisbrook before that loss. The Highlanders then defeated
4480-589: The initial years of the competition the Hurricanes played once, or occasionally twice, away from their Wellington base depending on whether they had home five or six games per year. However, in recent years, the team has seldom ventured from Sky Stadium , playing at-most one match per year in Palmerston North or Napier. The team represents the East Coast , Poverty Bay , Hawke's Bay , Wanganui , Manawatu , Wairarapa-Bush , Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. In 2013, Taranaki severed its ties with
4560-494: The lowest-placed New Zealand team on the table. Jimmy Cowan , one of the team's few bright spots through this period, was appointed team captain for 2009, but things would improve little over the following two seasons as the team again limped to the worst record of the New Zealand clubs. When Moore was released as coach following the 2010 season, the franchise had compiled a record of only 10 wins against 29 losses in three seasons under his leadership. Former All Black Jamie Joseph
4640-573: The match 24–19, and the following year were again knocked out by the Crusaders—this time in their semi-final. In the following fifteen seasons they would only finish in the top four once more, in 2002. But in 2015, they were crowned Super Rugby champions after beating the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium . Current Highlander, Aaron Smith has played a record 176 games for the Highlanders, and 47 other players have played over 50 games for
4720-415: The now-defunct Athletic Park . 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
4800-483: The planning and construction of a new stadium. The new stadium is not on the current Carisbrook site, but instead near the University of Otago and Otago Harbour . It is a roofed, all weather stadium with a rectangular configuration, and permanent seating capacity of 25,000 that could be expanded to 30,748 if necessary. The Highlanders' original home ground was the 29,000 capacity Carisbrook in Dunedin. Carisbrook
4880-462: The quarter-finals and they faced the Bulls, which was tight but the Hurricanes won 35-28. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders again in a tight battle in Christchurch (30-26) After 7 rounds of 2020, the Hurricanes finished 3rd in the NZ conference and 6th overall. The competition was suspended after 7 rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a domestic Super Rugby competition
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#17327984196914960-502: The regular season, and despite the final round loss to the Rebels (31–30) they only just made it into the quarters thanks to their losing bonus point. They ended up getting heavily beaten by the Blues in the quarter finals 35–6, ending the Highlanders worst season ever, with 4 games won from 14 in the regular season. The name Highlanders was chosen after the early Scottish settlers in the lower South Island . These Scottish settlers were
5040-418: The same format in 2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with the addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at the conclusion of the round robin stage. ^5 Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover competition between the teams involved in Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU . Each team from Super Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa once, and vice versa. A final
5120-462: The season remained incomplete and no champion was awarded. ^3 Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as a stand-in replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures. ^4 Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted
5200-422: The season, scoring 139 points, which helped offset the departure of David Holwell to Ireland. The Hurricanes had tried to sign Australian playmaker Brock James , who had starred the previous NPC season for Taranaki and the Blues , and young star Luke McAlister indicated that he would like to play in Wellington. With both Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger at the Crusaders capable of playing first five-eighth
5280-500: The semi-finals they were defeated by the Lions, who they defeated in the 2016 final. In 2018, the Hurricanes won 11 of 16 round robin matches, which put them into the quarter-finals against a very tough Chiefs side. The Hurricanes narrowly defeated the Chiefs 32-31. But once again, the Hurricanes failed to make it past the semi-finals, losing to the Crusaders 30-12 2019 saw the Hurricanes win 12, draw 1 and lose 3. This result took them to
5360-407: The semi-finals. The team finished eighth on the table. Despite the Wellington Lions (whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC , the Hurricanes finished ninth in the final standings in 2001; one worse than the year before. Another ninth placing in 2002 resulted in Graham Mourie , who had led the team since 2000, resigning. In spite of reports that Colin Cooper ,
5440-420: The squad is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in the Hurricanes catchment area and is composed of Hurricanes contracted players, wider training group members, under 20s, and selected club players. 2016 2006 , 2015 1997 , 2003 , 2005 , 2006 , 2008 , 2009 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2022 2015 , 2016 A season-by-season summary of the Hurricanes regular season results
5520-462: The team also made an attempt to lure Andrew Mehrtens to Wellington, without success. In 2006 two new teams entered the competition, the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs from South Africa and the Perth-based Western Force from Australia, creating the Super 14. Rodney So'oialo was appointed captain of the Hurricanes to succeed former All Black captain Tana Umaga . The team won all but four matches. They made their first Super Rugby final but lost to
5600-400: The team. The Highlanders' highest career points scorer is Lima Sopoaga with 866 points, and highest career try scorer is Waisake Naholo with 45 tries. The Highlanders' franchise was created as one of five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the Otago Highlanders , the Highlanders' franchise area encompassed the lower South Island of New Zealand, and was formed from
5680-401: The then Crusaders assistant-coach, had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the South Island franchise, the Hurricanes were able to lure him away from the champions and made him their head coach for the 2003 season. Cooper, along with newly appointed captain Tana Umaga , helped to mould the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in
5760-571: Was a 30-19 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin. The Hurricanes play the majority of their home matches at the 34,500 capacity Sky Stadium (formerly named Westpac Stadium) on Wellington's waterfront. The stadium is affectionately known as The Cake-Tin due to its distinctive shape. It was opened in 2000 to replace Athletic Park , where the team had been previously based. Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North and McLean Park in Napier have also played host to Hurricanes home matches. In
5840-456: Was a big year for the Hurricanes finishing first overall on the points table, despite sitting in 7th going into the final round of the regular season. This saw them go into the quarter-finals against the Sharks winning 41-0 at Wellington Regional Stadium . They carried on to the semi-finals playing the Chiefs and winning 25-9 at Wellington Regional Stadium . The Hurricanes played the Lions in
5920-487: Was announced that the winger had re-signed with the NZRU and agreed terms with the Wellington Rugby Union , despite a reported a £1.1 million offer by Bristol . The move to the Wellington union meant he could be included in the protected group of players for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes also opened 2000 with a new stadium . The highlights of that year included the victory over eventual champions
6000-521: Was formed in New Zealand called Super Rugby Aotearoa, which kicked off in June 2020. The Hurricanes finished 3rd overall, winning 5 and losing 3. A notable moment from the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 was that they ended the Crusaders' 18 match home winning streak, defeating them 32-34 in Round 7. Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 hasn't been so fortunate to the Hurricanes. They have only won one match, which
6080-529: Was former All Black Frank Oliver , while Bull Allen was named as captain. Their first match, played at Palmerston North Showgrounds against the Auckland Blues , was the first ever Super 12 match. They lost it 36–28. The team performed below expectations in the inaugural year of the competition and finished ninth. In 1997 the team made the semi-finals, losing in Canberra to the ACT Brumbies . However
6160-479: Was hired as coach for the 2011 Super Rugby season , while Jamie Mackintosh replaced Cowan as team captain. The campaign would prove to be the franchise's most successful in several years, as they raced out to a 3–0 start including a monumental away win over the Bulls in Pretoria . They remained in playoff contention for almost the entire season, sitting 8–4 at one juncture, before slumping under an injury cloud at
6240-420: Was played at Eden Park, and the Highlanders were ahead 15–3 at half time, and eventually won 20–13. Their last home match of the season was against the Reds at Carisbrook. The Highlanders' 40–26 win meant that they had gone three seasons undefeated at Carisbrook. The Highlanders finished fourth and played the Crusaders in Christchurch where they lost 34–23, although Jeff Wilson did score a try in his last match for
6320-417: Was played between the top two seeded teams at the conclusion of the round robin matches. Highlanders Super Rugby results vs different opponents Super Rugby Match Results The 2014 season set several new records for the team, that had stood since the 1998 and 1999 seasons. They scored their most ever points (425), and most ever tries (42) in a season. Lima Sopoaga set a franchise record for most points in
6400-554: Was the first defeat of New South Wales by an Otago-based side since the Otago provincial team defeated New South Wales 5–0 in 1901. The Highlanders narrowly lost to the Hurricanes in Napier 35–33 before defeating the Brumbies at Carisbrook on 20 April. Although the Highlanders went undefeated at home for a second consecutive season, they finished fifth with six wins that season. Laurie Mains had returned from South Africa to coach Otago in
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