Jordie Barrett senses a maturing Hurricanes side ready to end their 10-year title drought

Jordie Barrett has spoken of a palpable shift in the Hurricanes’ culture ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs in Wellington, insisting he sensed the group’s maturity from the moment he rejoined the squad after his sabbatical season with Leinster.

The Hurricanes have not won a Super Rugby title since 2016, when Barrett — then a teenager — watched from the stands as his brother Beauden lifted the trophy. “I was sitting in the corner and getting drenched from the wind and rain,” the inside centre recalled. “It was a great buzz. Any time you can win a Super Rugby title, when you’re a player or supporter, everyone will take a great sense of pride and satisfaction.”

Barrett departed Wellington after a 2024 campaign in which the Hurricanes finished top of the regular-season table only to be eliminated by the Chiefs in a home semi-final. Now back as co-captain, he believes the squad has grown from that disappointment. “The guys are another year older; hopefully, we’re a little bit wiser and a little bit smarter. There’s certainly some positive cohesiveness, and I felt that from day one.”

The Chiefs carry their own weight of history into the Cake Tin. First-season head coach Jono Gibbes is attempting to end a title drought stretching back to 2013, going one step further than his predecessor Clayton McMillan, who reached four finals without winning any of them.

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw acknowledged the shared hunger on both sides. “I think both teams will be extremely motivated for supporters, sponsors and fans. It’s been a long time between drinks for both of us,” he told reporters on the eve of the match.

Barrett described a week in which time seemed to drag, but said he was at ease now that the preparation was complete. “It’s pretty special, but in the same breath, we’ve just got ourselves here; it’s only an opportunity. The Chiefs will probably be saying the same thing. But for this group, we’ve been sitting there at this time of the year doing season reviews after falling short, so it’s hugely satisfying to get an opportunity to play one more week.”

The final also carries individual stakes, with Barrett and his opposite number both in contention for the All Blacks’ number-ten jersey ahead of the July Test series under Dave Rennie. Barrett, however, kept his focus on the collective. “Hopefully, this group can show a bit of that maturity that I felt tomorrow night. Time will tell.”