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Watch: Explosive young fullback arrives at Super Rugby level to tear apart Blues
By Ben Smith
Young Highlanders fullback Finn Hurley announced himself as a star of the future with a stunning two-try display against the Blues in Dunedin.
Despite entering his third season of Super Rugby Pacific after debuting in 2023, Hurley has just seven caps and this was just his second start in his preferred fullback position.
The 21-year-old turned back the clock with a solo try reminiscent of Otago legend Jeff Wilson when he chipped over the line on a kick return, picking up the loose ball and taking the outside to score in the corner.
He wasn't done there, capitalising on another Highlanders break from a kick counter by looming inside Folau Fakatava to burst onto the final pass. He raced away to dot down in front of the Zoo for a key blow in the second half.
He produced 136 running metres, two line breaks, three offloads, and two tries in his first start of the year after featuring on the bench in round one.
What a try from ?D?a?m?i?a?n? ?M?c?K?e?n?z?i?e? Finn Hurley#HIGvBLUpic.twitter.com/Y3rWmMln5Q
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 22, 2025
For Hurley, a local Otago product playing for his hometown franchise, it doesn't get any better with a dream night in Dunedin.
The young fullback's performance helped the Highlanders to a special win, a 29-21 in over the Blues while down to 13 men in what is one of the best wins in franchise history.
Fans online were blown away by the electric pocket rocket who stands at 1.75m and weighs in at 75kg.
Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai was also a standout, leading with 16 carries from second five. He was a force at the breakdown with three turnovers won.
The shock upset leaves the defending champion Blues in a slump at 0-2 to start the season after two key derby losses after the Chiefs stunned them at Eden Park in round one.
The Blues are one of three teams that haven't registered a win along with Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua. They will have to travel away to play the Hurricanes next week, while the Highlanders will play Moana.
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Latest Comments
How many teams is he eligible for? Just Tonga? The way Pellegrini is playing he might need to change his attitude to defence because the slow he gets, the further you get into the midfield.
Why would be great for Tonga. I’ve said it before, he’d be the worlds best playmaking 12 if he switched and it’s probably going to be the only way he can get onto the field in 2027 with Dmac and Pellegrini ahead of him. Would be great if he did come back to SR as a bargain but does he have an option for Fiji too if his nephew is playing for them?
Go to commentsI don’t know about that, but I aint no prop. Certainly the picture looked like they couldn’t even line up straight and got pinged twice for wheeling as a result, or Bartlett having his feet in a terrible position.
Those two on the other side were pretty experienced as wisey props though!
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