Super Rugby: Distance no barrier as Hurricanes superfans travel 17,000km

11:23 am today

Andrew Grant and his son Connor enjoying the game.

Photo: Andrew Grant

Would you travel 17,000km to watch your team play? Hurricanes fans Andrew and Connor Grant will have done just that by the time the Super Rugby season ends.

"In 2025, we travelled 6000 kilometres," Grant said.

"This year, I've just done the maths, and after the final, we would have racked up 17,000 kilometres. We also went to Lautoka and watched them in Fiji this year, so that helps boost up the kilometres, but it's been a bit of a crazy ride."

The reason why they have to cover so much ground? The Grants live in Auckland and have to fly or drive down to Wellington for Hurricanes home games.

Andrew (L) and Connor Grant in the tunnel the Hurricanes run out from before the game.

Photo: Andrew Grant

Andrew has been a Hurricanes fan for more than 25 years despite being firmly entrenched in Blues territory. He said his love affair with the Wellington-based side started when his favourite player moved to the capital.

"I'm a born and bred Aucklander, but I grew up watching Counties Manukau back in the '90s and I was a massive Jonah Lomu fan, he was my guy," Grant said.

"I loved watching him play, and when he moved down to the Hurricanes in 2000 I followed him down, and I've been a mad Hurricanes fan ever since."

Grant's love for Hurricanes rugby has extended to his 10-year-old son Connor.

"We took him to his first game against the Chiefs down in Wellington in 2024 and he just loved it and fell in love with it," Grant said.

"We've been travelling basically ever since to watch the Hurricanes. It's pretty cool that I get to experience it all with my son."

Hurricanes superfan Connor Grant and his dad travel from Auckland to Wellington for home games.

Photo: Andrew Grant

Andrew reckons Connor is an even more passionate fan than him.

"He loves that team. So do I, but he is next-level obsession with the Hurricanes. There's Hurricanes everything in his life, that's all he talks about."

The Hurricanes have embraced the Auckland-based supporters with open arms, allowing Andrew and Connor to build what Grant describes as a deep connection with the side. The team even invited them into the changing rooms to help sing their victory song after a win.

"The Hurricanes team and management have been amazing to us and they're just an amazing group of guys," Grant said.

"To be invited into the changing room and be thanked by Brad Shields (Hurricanes flanker) in front of everyone for our support and flying down all the time was unreal. And to sing that song, what an experience."

Andrew Grant and his son Connor spending time with the Hurricanes.

Photo: Andrew Grant

Grant, who plans his year around the Hurricanes fixtures, said those kinds of interactions ensure Connor will be a fan for life.

"It's something that will live with me, but it's something that just inspires Connor. That's just building the next diehard Hurricanes fan for many years to come. He still talks about it now."

The Grants want to hear that victory song ring out again on Saturday night after the Super Rugby final in Wellington, where the Hurricanes will try and beat the Chiefs to claim just their second title and first since 2016.

He said it would mean "everything" to him and Connor if the Hurricanes came out on top.

"I was there for 2015 when we lost to the Highlanders. I drove down in 2016 to watch that game when they finally won and Connor had just been born. I left him at home. Now to bring him along 10 years later and have the chance to experience that with him will be amazing."

Hurricanes superfan Connor Grant has a few favourite things he likes to do when in Wellington.

Photo: Andrew Grant

The Grants have a tried and true schedule when they come to Wellington. Flying in on game day morning they'll go to their hotel, wander around the city and have lunch in a park or ride the cable car, before visiting some of Connor's favourite shops, often looking for Hurricanes merchandise.

They will usually spend some time with the team before the match.

"We actually meet the players when they have their pre-game meal and say hi to them there."

It's then back to the hotel to get into their Hurricanes gear before heading to the stadium and it will be the same for this week's final, which Grant is predicting to be a close fought affair.

"I think it's going to be a tough game. The Chiefs are a cracker team as well. It's a bit of a revenge game for us (after the Chiefs dumped the Hurricanes out in last year's semi-finals) and I think it's maybe a 35-22 victory to the Hurricanes and for us to lift that title."

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