Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika Prediction: Hurricanes to hit the ground running

The Hurricanes kick-start their 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign on Friday morning (06:05, Sky Sport+) as they welcome Moana Pasifika to Sky Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Wellington.

Team News

Starting with the Hurricanes, Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Siale Lauaki start in the front row, with Hugo Plummer and Warner Dearns in the second row.

Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose complete the pack, while Ereatara Enari and Brett Cameron combine in the half-backs.

Skipper Jordie Barrett and Bailyn Sullivan pair up in the centres, while Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin form the back three.

As for Moana, Abraham Pole, skipper Samiuela Moli and Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou start in the front row, with locks Veikoso Poloniati and Alefosio Aho in the engine room.

Semisi Paea, Konrad Toelafoa and Dominic Ropeti start in the back row, while Siaosi Nginingini and Patrick Pellegrini form the half-backs.

Faletoi Peni and Glen Vaihu are the starting centres, while Moana have gone with a back three of Tuna Tuitama, Israel Leota and Simon Peter Toleafoa.

Hurricanes vs Moana Pacifika Odds

The Hurricanes are the overwhelming favourites at 1/12 to get their campaign off to a winning start, while Moana Pasifika are 7/1 to cause an upset at Sky Stadium.

A draw in Wellington is currently 40/1, while over 73.5 total points to be scored in the game is currently 17/10.

Hurricanes -24 handicap @ 11/10

Moana have already kicked off their 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign and they did so in positive fashion, thanks to a 40-26 victory over Fijian Drua in Lautoka last weekend.

However, head coach Tana Umaga has made a host of changes for the trip to Wellington, with no less than seven players named in the matchday 23.

Stating he wants to give a bigger number of players the responsibility to step up to the level in this competition, it’s a risky move in terms of this trip to the Hurricanes.

The Canes have won five of their last six games against Moana Pasifika, including a 64-12 victory when they last met.

With that in mind and with dry and warm conditions expected in Wellington, the Hurricanes to win and cover the sizeable -24 handicap looks achievable here.

Jordie Barrett anytime tryscorer @ 6/5

Friday will see Hurricanes fans welcome back All Blacks star Jordie Barrett following his spell in Ireland with Leinster.

A player who has really made that inside centre role his own, Barrett’s smart running lines and support play mean he looks to be great value at 6/5 to mark his return to the Hurricanes with a tryscoring performance.

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