Rebel Sport Super 14 Rugby: Hurricanes vs Highlanders

The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua Kapiti and Wellington unions. They compete in the Super 14 competition (which was the Super 12 from 1996 to 2005); their best result has been 2nd place in 2006 (3rd place in 1997 and 2003).

The Hurricanes franchise is the second biggest New Zealand Super 14 team, with a catchment area of 920,000 people.

The home ground of the Hurricanes is the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Hurricanes games are also occasionally held at other locations around the region, most notably Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Captain Hurricane has been the official mascot of the Hurricanes since 1998.

From 2003 to 2005, the Hurricanes were captained by Tana Umaga, who also captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Rodney So’oialo took over the Hurricanes captaincy.

The current coaching staff includes Colin Cooper (head coach) and his two assistants; Aussie McLean and Murray Roulston.

In the past, the Wellington Hurricanes' roster has contained well-known All Blacks Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga & Christian Cullen. Current All Blacks squad members include Rodney So'oialo, Ma'a Nonu, Jerry Collins, Piri Weepu, Jason Eaton, Chris Masoe, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava and Conrad Smith. In addition, Lome Fa'atau plays international rugby for Samoa.