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Watch: Explosive young fullback arrives at Super Rugby level to tear apart Blues

94 days ago

Finn Hurley of the Highlanders celebrates after scoring a try during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on February 22, 2025, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

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#HIGvBLU pic.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.

Here for Finn Hurley and Timoci Tavatavanawai and Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 😍
Opening two rounds have been elite‼️
The competition is back from its great slumber.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) February 22, 2025

Might struggle to find a better individual try this SRP season than what Finn Hurley just did under the roof in Dunedin#HIGvBLU
— Scott (@MadMaclegend) February 22, 2025

Ruben Love, Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau… the kids are alright man.
— Vuyo (@dyan_carter_) February 22, 2025

Bloody love watching Finn Hurley. Electric.
— Ollie Silverton (@Ollie_Silverton) February 22, 2025

Finn Hurley makes D Mac look like Andre the Giant. But geez he’s got some ticker
— Farmboyraver (@AndyMuir22) February 22, 2025

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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Comments

5 Comments

Mzilikazi 93 days ago

“For Hurley, a local Otago product playing for his hometown franchise,….” He is from Gore is my information, Ben. So a product of Southland. Finished his schooling with Otago Boys High, but his grounding not in Otago.

JW 93 days ago

@Mzilikazi in case you missed the game.

Mzilikazi 93 days ago

First thing I looked for in the results, JW, how Finn Hurley had gone. Have only watched the highlights so far. 6N this weekend has taken up lot of the time. Will watch the Highlanders game during week. Great to see the S. Island team knock of the big boys from the N. Island.

JH 93 days ago

The best thing the Blues could do is send Beauden back to Japan. They didn’t need him last year, and he’s worth more in points to the opposition than his own team.

He got the Chiefs on the board first up last week with his aimless kicking, and gifted the Highlanders two tries, and very nearly a third, also with his kicking. Frankly, it seems players like he, and Rieko Ioane, are surviving on long past reputations knowing they won’t get dropped.

Utiku Old Boy 94 days ago

Courageous and at times, brilliant display by Highlanders. Holland’s engine, work rate as well as his lineout work showed out against the vaunted Blues set piece. The loosies were in good fettle and the backs overshadowed their (mostly) All Black opponents. Not yet a daunting line-up but JJ has them working well together and still has work to do on their discipline. They can’t win consistently with all the cards.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 14 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 15 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 15 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 15 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍