Sky Stadium will come alive this Saturday night as the Hurricanes face Moana Pasifika in their final Super Rugby Pacific round robin match, kicking off at 7:05pm.
The match marks the return of Ardie and Julian Savea to Wellington, drawing what’s expected to be the Hurricanes’ biggest home crowd of the season. Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee predicts up to 16,000 fans, topping this year’s best of 13,242.
Moana Pasifika need a win to qualify for their first playoffs, while a Hurricanes victory would secure fourth place and a second life in the finals. The game comes 10 months after Ardie Savea’s surprise departure from the Hurricanes, where he played 131 matches.
“For a regular season match, it’s a marketer’s dream,” Lee said, noting the return of other ex-Hurricanes including Jackson Garden-Bachop and Danny Toala.
Fans can take advantage of a Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer on Bronze Adult tickets (first 1,000 sold), and a $40 Family Pass (2 adults, 2 children) is available online in the Bluebridge Family Zone.
Gates open at 5:30pm, box office from 4:30pm. Children under 5 enter free on an adult’s knee; under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.
The Hurricanes are unbeaten since their April 11 loss to the Crusaders, with wins over the Chiefs, Brumbies, and Reds. Moana Pasifika also enter with confidence after their March win over the Hurricanes in Auckland, led by a standout performance from Ardie Savea.
“Ardie is going great at Moana and he’s always going to be a special part of the Hurricanes… but life moves on,” said Lee.
Despite recent success, crowd numbers have been a concern. Average attendance at Sky Stadium is around 11,262, down from past seasons. Lee points to Wellington’s economic challenges as a factor.
Last year’s $700,000 financial loss prompted a $1 million shareholder boost. Still, Lee remains optimistic: “We’ve got great people. You just have to work hard, do your best and things will be fine.”
With high stakes and a heartfelt homecoming, Saturday’s clash promises to be one of the most electric nights of the season.
