Hurricanes secure Super Rugby Pacific top spot but Laidlaw sweats injury niggles

The Hurricanes have locked in top spot in Super Rugby Pacific with one round remaining before the playoffs, but head coach Clark Laidlaw is monitoring four players who left their Wellington clash with injuries, including Devan Flanders, who suffered a head knock after a collision with Daniel Lienert-Brown.

Alongside Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Siale Lauaki, and Ngane Punivai all picked up niggles during the match. Laidlaw was cautiously optimistic about the extent of the damage, telling reporters post-match: “Devan obviously came off with a niggle, Du’Plessis had a little niggle, Ngane Punivai had a little niggle, so there’s plenty going on just around the bodies, but I don’t feel any of them are terminal around the season.”

Finishing first carries significant reward in Super Rugby Pacific. Wellington’s side will hold home advantage throughout the knockout rounds, and retain a second-chance lifeline should they lose a playoff fixture. Laidlaw acknowledged the value of that position while keeping the mood measured. “Yeah, we’re delighted, all the teams are chasing that top spot. We know what it gives us around a second chance if you needed it, but more importantly if you can win, then you play your games at home,” he said. “So the consistency the men have showed, through the whole season, in particular through this block of games, is really pleasing. And yeah, we will have a quiet beer tonight, just to celebrate that.”

With the Crusaders visit arriving in six days, Laidlaw indicated he will not rush selection calls. The coaching staff plan to give injured players 48 hours to settle before making any decisions, and acknowledged that several players who were rested this week were unavailable due to existing complaints rather than rotation policy.

“I think there’ll be a balance between some guys needing rugby and some guys needing a break,” Laidlaw said. “We’ve obviously picked up a couple of nicks tonight too, and dust ourselves off — no rush into those selections, just let the bodies settle the next 48 hours. We’ll pick a team that can go down and play the Crusaders well, but we’ve definitely got an eye to the week after, for sure.”

The Hurricanes’ confirmed top-place finish means any home quarter-final or semi-final would be played in Wellington, a factor Laidlaw’s squad will look to exploit as the competition enters its decisive phase.