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FWC: POR vs ESP live on SN Extra'We looked in the mirror': Hurricanes Poua coach on his side's season turnaround
Regan Harrison • July 7th, 2026 7:00 am
Hurricanes Poua have now won two-in-a-row and kept their finals hopes alive | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
The Hurricanes Poua appear to have turned their season around since being thrashed by the Blues in the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki.
The Poua retaliated over the weekend against the Blues women's side beating them by a convincing 15 points, in a 75-point spectacle in Upper Hutt.
Hurricanes Poua coach Hayden Triggs said on Sport Nation Breakfast, there has been a good trend these past couple weeks since the round one defeat.
“We got thumped round one, which is a bit of a jolt, but we've taken some lessons and licked our wounds and onwards we march,” Triggs said.
Triggs also commented on the difference maker that has shifted his side's season around.
“We looked in the mirror to be honest," Triggs said.
"There's some really hard conversations both from a coaching group, what we're up to, our management and our whole support crew around how we can better prepare the girls.”
Hurricanes Poua Ayesha Leti-I’iga during Chiefs Manawa vs Hurricanes Poua | Photo: Photosport
He highlighted they didn’t operate with a set piece in their round one clash, saying the girls have put in a lot of effort into turning that around, as well as protecting the ball.
Triggs also emphasised if you don’t do the basic fundamentals right it'll be a tough day.
The homecoming of Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes has been a big contributor to the team's turnaround, taking up a new challenge in the No. 10 jersey.
Holmes, who previously played for the Chiefs Manawa, has strengthened the Poua's spine, proving a lethal connection with the Hurricanes halfback Iritana Hohaia.
“There's been no joke or no mistake that Renz (Holmes) at times at 10 has struggled a wee bit," Triggs said.
"But we fully back her, we back her skills and her vision and her experience and the person she is because she's competitive as hell.”
Triggs attributes Hohaia and Holmes’ strong connection to their close friendship, saying their desire to push each other has had a strong influence on the team.
He also highlighted “belief” as the team’s key word over the past couple of weeks, saying they have focused on backing themselves and producing performances that reflect that confidence.
With two rounds remaining in the season, the Hurricanes Poua are firmly in playoff contention, currently sitting third and just one competition point behind the Blues women.
They travel to Fraser Park in Timaru this Saturday to face the undefeated Matatū and keep their season alive.
Listen to the full interview below:
