Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

ACT Brumbies suffered a record Super Rugby Pacific finals defeat on Friday night, falling 66-12 to the top-placed Hurricanes in a qualifying final in wet and windy Wellington.

The Hurricanes scored five tries before halftime, led 38-7 at the break and ended Australian hopes of breaking a long Super Rugby finals losing run in New Zealand.

For more Super Rugby news, read Force Lose Backline Trio in Super Rugby Setback.

Hurricanes Blow Brumbies Away Early

The ACT Brumbies entered the match with belief after beating the Hurricanes in their past three finals meetings and winning four of their previous six games in New Zealand.

That hope faded quickly as early Brumbies errors gave the Hurricanes field position, momentum and the chance to build a 31-0 lead before halftime.

"Very impressive from the Hurricanes; they had to withstand our pressure at the start of the game, then capitalised on opportunities and then things started to fall apart, and by halftime the game was over," Larkham said.

"Too many fundamentals of our game were not consistent."

Ruben Love controlled the match from No.10 and finished perfect off the tee, landing nine conversions and one penalty. Cam Roigard scored twice, while replacement winger Ngane Punivai added a second-half hat-trick.

Brumbies Season Ends In Wellington

The Hurricanes’ right-edge attack repeatedly opened up the Brumbies, with Jordie Barrett dangerous in space and Roigard sharp around the ruck.

Ryan Lonergan battled hard for the ACT Brumbies, but their attack looked disjointed and often lacked timing under pressure.

Tom Wright still showed flashes of his running threat from fullback, a positive sign before next month’s Wallabies Tests. Official competition updates are available through Super Rugby Pacific.

"It's been an inconsistent season for us, to say the least," a typically understated Larkham said.

"It's a younger group, but there's no excuses, and what we take out of this is a really good understanding of what it takes."

The result leaves the Queensland Reds to face the Chiefs in Hamilton, with another Australian side trying to end the country’s Super Rugby finals drought in New Zealand.