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Too big, too fast, and too strong.
The Brumbies’ top two Super Rugby hopes have been dealt a savage blow after being steamrolled by the Hurricanes, losing 35-29 on Saturday night in Canberra.
While the Brumbies threatened to make a game of it in the final stages after Andy Muirhead crossed out wide, the Hurricanes managed to play the ball at the right end of the field to help them snap a three-match losing streak.
The six-point win was the Hurricanes’ first win in Canberra since 2017 – and it came not a second too late, with the victory moving the men from Wellington above the Force and Waratahs into fifth spot.
Kini Naholo was on fire during the Hurricanes’ drought-breaking win over the Brumbies at GIO Stadium on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The return of All Blacks midfielder Billy Proctor was pivotal.
After being eased back via the bench last week in their draw against the Force last week, the rising Test centre brought the poise and execution to the Hurricanes’ backline that had previously been missing. His combination with Riley Higgins helped expose the Brumbies’ backline, with Corey Toole experiencing a tough evening.
Damaging winger Kini Naholo was one of the stars for the Hurricanes, running over the top of the Brumbies’ backs, including halfback Ryan Lonergan, on his way to scoring twice.
It didn’t take long for Larkham to realise where the game was lost, with the Brumbies missing 40 tackles, including 25 in the first half as the visitors raced out to a 20-15 lead at half time.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game, we knew that the Hurricanes wanted to hold the ball and I thought they did that exceptionally well tonight,” Larkham said.
“We fell off far too many tackles in the first half.
“They spread the ball exceptionally well, I thought they had really good variation across the park and they put our outside backs under a lot of pressure, and their outside backs are very dangerous one-on-one.
“We knew that was going to come, but it’s another thing trying to stop it.
“We spoke about breakdown pressure and trying to slow the ball down, so they didn’t get those opportunities on fast ball but we failed in that area.”
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa also summed up his side’s performance.
“We’ll look back at that game and say we missed too many tackles,” said the tight-head prop, who scored a first-half try to continue his rich form.
“Our tackle completion wasn’t great, especially around the ruck. When we scored points, they scored pretty much straight after.
Hurricanes skipper Du’Plessis Kirifi said his side came to Canberra believing their season was on the line.
“Very proud,” the physical flanker said.
“We were just saying before, I’ve been playing Super for eight or nine years now and I’ve never won in Canberra so to come over here and get one across is pretty pleasing, not just for the game itself, our season was on the line. A win tonight keeps us in the hunt and helps us build momentum. It’s no easy feat coming here and beating the Brumbies at home.”
The Brumbies started well enough as Alaalatoa managed to sneak over from close range in the ninth minute.
But it didn’t take long for the Hurricanes to reveal their potency as Proctor slipped past Toole to score minutes later.
Noah Lolesio banged over a simple penalty soon after to hand the Brumbies a 10-5 lead after minutes.
The Hurricanes however went in front after 27 minutes when winger Ngane Punivai held off Toole to touch down well despite more than a hint of a forward pass seconds earlier from Proctor.
Ruben Love’s penalty then gave the visitors a 15-10 lead.
The Brumbies responded quickly as Luke Reimer scored to level up the score.
But the Hurricanes would take the momentum into half-time as Naholo scored a fantastic try after a lovely kick from Love and some sweet hands from Callum Harkin to put the winger away.
The visitors then gave themselves some breathing space when Love landed his second penalty for the evening, before recently re-signed Wallaby Len Ikitau hit back with a try to cut the deficit to a point.
Their comeback however was short-lived, as Naholo found some space around the ruck.
A high shot from Tuaina Taii Tualima on Love then hurt the Brumbies even more, before Punivai scored to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
Muirhead’s try in the 71st minute cut the margin to less than a converted try, but the Brumbies simply couldn’t get any more territory to make a fist of it at the death.
Despite the loss, the Brumbies picked up a bonus point and remain in third spot on 29 points – eight points behind the Chiefs and Crusaders (37), who registered big wins on New Zealand soil this weekend.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.