The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will be aiming to challenge the Hurricanes on their home ground as they seek their first victory of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season this weekend.
Recent form has not been favorable for the Drua, as they have suffered seven defeats in their last ten matches in the competition, including consecutive losses in their most recent two outings. Their struggles have been particularly evident in away games, where they managed to score five points or fewer in each of their last two matches on the road.
Despite these setbacks, the Drua have shown strength in attack, demonstrating an impressive ability to break through defenses. They have managed to cross the gain line on 69% of their carries in contact, ranking second-highest in the competition in this area. In contrast, the Hurricanes have struggled in this aspect, recording the lowest gain line success rate at just 55%.
One of the key areas of contest in the upcoming match will be at the breakdown. The Hurricanes displayed efficiency in this area in Round 1, completing 71% of their rucks within three seconds—the highest percentage of any team in the competition. The Drua, on the other hand, struggled in this aspect, ranking last with only 41% of their rucks being completed in the same time frame.
A crucial figure for the Drua will be flyhalf Caleb Muntz, whose tactical decision-making could play a pivotal role in shaping their approach. In Round 1, Muntz made more kicks from inside his own 22-meter zone than any other player in the competition, highlighting his strategic focus on territorial play. However, he did not attempt a single kick from outside his own 22, a pattern that could influence how the Drua construct their attacking plays.
Historically, the Hurricanes have held the advantage in this matchup, winning two of the three previous encounters between the sides. Their most recent clash saw the New Zealand side secure a convincing 38-15 victory. The only previous meeting between these teams in New Zealand resulted in a dominant 67-5 win for the Hurricanes, marking their second-largest home victory in the competition’s history. However, only three of the try scorers from that game—Asafo Aumua, Isaia Walker-Leawere, and Billy Proctor—are part of the Hurricanes’ 2025 squad.
The Hurricanes head into this fixture after back-to-back losses, including a 25-33 defeat against the Crusaders in their opening match of the 2025 season. They will be determined to avoid a third consecutive defeat, a scenario they haven’t encountered since a three-match losing streak in 2022.
Despite their recent struggles, the Hurricanes have been formidable when playing at McLean Park in Napier. They have won their last six Super Rugby Pacific matches at the venue and have averaged an impressive 51 points per game across their last five appearances there. Their most recent outing at this ground saw them deliver a commanding 43-6 victory over the Western Force.
Several individual performances will be worth noting. Flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi stood out in Round 1, completing three offloads—the highest number by any forward in the competition. The last time a Hurricanes forward surpassed that mark in a single game was in 2022 when Ardie Savea recorded four offloads. Hooker Jacob Devery has also been in strong form, scoring three tries in his last three starts, though he did not score in his only previous match against the Drua.
With both teams eager to turn their fortunes around, this encounter is set to be an engaging battle. The Hurricanes will be looking to continue their dominance at home, while the Drua will be determined to secure a rare win on New Zealand soil.
The match is scheduled to take place at 3:35 p.m. this Saturday as part of Round 2 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.