Reds Target Historic Wellington Victory as Hurricanes Defend Flawless Home Record in Round Seven

The Reds aim to break a 28-year Wellington drought against the table-topping Hurricanes as Tom Lynagh returns to the squad for Super Rugby Round Seven.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 5:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP

Breaking the Wellington Curse

The Queensland Reds enter Round Seven with the formidable task of overturning nearly three decades of historical struggle against the Hurricanes on New Zealand soil. Not since 1998 has a Reds side emerged victorious in Wellington, a drought spanning 28 years that coach Les Kiss is eager to extinguish. Currently sitting in fourth place and hunting a fifth consecutive win, the Brisbane based franchise is arguably in its strongest position in years to challenge the Hurricanes' dominance. However, history favors the hosts, who have secured ten straight victories over the Reds and remain unbeaten at home for eleven matches.

Playmaking Reshuffle Amid Injury Concerns

The Reds' tactical preparation has been complicated by a minor lower leg injury to star flyhalf Carter Gordon, who has been instrumental in recent wins over the Brumbies and Waratahs. In his absence, the coaching staff has retained Harry McLaughlin, Phillips in the starting number ten jersey following his successful outing in Fiji. The silver lining for the Reds is the return of Tom Lynagh, who is set for his first minutes of the season after recovering from a persistent leg ailment. Coach Kiss emphasized that Lynagh’s return was timed to ensure he completed a full block of training, providing a high caliber option off the bench.

Hurricanes Maintain Lethal Competitive Edge

The Hurricanes currently occupy the summit of the Super Rugby Pacific table, characterized by Les Kiss as the most lethal attacking unit in the competition. With a points difference of 128 and an average of over 30 tries scored this season, the Wellington side has set the standard for clinical execution. The coaching staff believes that while the Reds are operating at roughly 75 percent of their potential, the Hurricanes represent the ultimate litmus test for their title credentials. The focus for the hosts remains on relentless improvement to maintain their lead over the pursuing Blues and Brumbies.