Hurricanes vs Blues Prediction: Hurricanes to storm into the final

The Hurricanes face the Blues in one of two all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals on Saturday morning (7:05pm local, 8:05am BST, Sky Sports+) at Hnry Stadium. The Hurricanes did as expected when they blew the ACT Brumbies away 66-12 last weekend while the Blues scraped through as lucky losers despite a heavy 52‑31 defeat to the Crusaders.

Read on for my Hurricanes vs Blues predictions, the key team news and the match context ahead of a huge clash in Wellington.

*Click here for the latest Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has made just one change to the starting XV that crushed the Brumbies, with record‑chasing winger Fehi Fineanganofo returning from injury. His comeback pushes Kini Naholo to the bench, while Siale Lauaki joins the replacements.

Callum Harkin continues at full‑back, with Josh Moorby on the opposite wing and Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor forming the midfield. Ruben Love and Cam Roigard steer the attack from the halves.

The forward pack is unchanged, featuring Peter Lakai - making his 50th Hurricanes appearance - alongside co‑captain Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brad Shields, who becomes the club’s third‑most capped player with his 142nd outing.

A 5‑3 bench split includes prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Isaia Walker‑Leawere and loose forward Brayden Iose, with Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova and Naholo covering the backs.

Meanwhile, the Blues welcome back a superstar of their own in Beauden Barrett.

Surprisingly, coach Vern Cotter has named him at full‑back rather than fly‑half, replacing the injured Zarn Sullivan.

Stephen Perofeta retains the No.10 jersey despite a difficult outing against the Crusaders, and he will partner Finlay Christie, who starts after Sam Nock’s hand injury.

AJ Lam shifts into the centres alongside Xavi Taele, with Cole Forbes taking over on the right wing and Caleb Clarke staying on the left.

In the pack, Hoskins Sotutu returns at No.8 after Malachi Wrampling’s suspension. He joins Torian Barnes and Anton Segner in the back row, while the tight five remains unchanged. Che Clark and Pita Ahki bolster a strong bench.

Hurricanes vs Blues Odds

The Hurricanes are hot favourites to win at 2/13 while the Blues are priced as 9/2 underdogs after last week’s defensive collapse. A draw is 22/1.

The visitors are priced at 11/4 to lead at the break with the Wellington side available at 3/10 in First Half Winner betting.

Hurricanes -16 Handicap @ 20/21

The Hurricanes have been the competition’s most complete side, combining ruthless attack with breakdown accuracy and a dominant set‑piece.

Their 66‑12 demolition of the Brumbies was an example of how they can dictate the tempo and both force and punish mistakes.

The Blues have been making plenty of errors of late and have already suffered two big defeats to the Hurricanes this season, losing by 23 points in both Wellington and Auckland.

With Fineanganofo back and both Barrett and Roigard in electric form, they should stretch a Blues defence that conceded 51 points last weekend.

Half-Time/Full-Time -  Blues/Hurricanes @ 6/1

Cotter’s team began purposefully in last weekend’s qualifying round match against the Crusaders, but lost their way after Malachi Wrampling was sent off for a high shot.

They were deadlocked at 7-7 at the time and fought back to level again at 14-14 shortly after, prior to the wheels fully coming off in the final 10 minutes of the first half.

The Blues led the Chiefs at the break in their Round 16 match and could catch the Hurricanes cold if they come out and play some of the slick rugby they showed in Christchurch last week.

But the hosts have more than enough power in their pack and pace out wide to exploit the spaces that could develop in the second half when the tide should turn in their favour.