Hurricanes 2026
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Foketi is going to the Chiefs
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@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2026:
Foketi is going to the Chiefs
Helluva stacked midfield, where he could end up last in line. Odd choice.
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I wonder if this is a sign Matty P is coming back to the Canes? Hopefully he signs with Wellington for the NPC.
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Tjay Clarke potentially on the move..... to Toshiba according the ClubRugby.co.nz's weekly roundup here - https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2025/07/07/sideline-conversions-7-july-some-rugby-news-and-information-to-start-the-week/
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@Canes4life Wow, bit of a shame at 22 years old and having just cracked super rugby.. I suppose the option is there now and guys would prefer get some experience and cash than be a squad member. Hope we could see him back after a year or 2
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@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life Wow, bit of a shame at 22 years old and having just cracked super rugby.. I suppose the option is there now and guys would prefer get some experience and cash than be a squad member. Hope we could see him back after a year or 2
With Moorby, Harkin, Godfrey, Love, Barrett, Naholo, Punivai, Fineanganofo and Sullivan all having the ability to play wing/fullback, and probably considered ahead of him, I feel like he won't get too much opportunity, kind of like this year. Maybe they've pushed him to do a couple years in Japan with a deal for him post the RWC when plenty of positions usually open up.
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Enari extends through 26 announced
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Hugo Plummer re-signs for 2 more years.
Didn't realise he was so young and out of all our locks he looks to be developing nicely.
Date of birth: 25 August 2000 (24-years-old)
Place of birth: Wellington, New Zealand
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 119kg
Hurricanes Number: #310
Hurricanes Caps: 8
Hurricanes Points: 0
Playing career: Wellington (2022-present), Hurricanes (2023, 2025-present), Highlanders (2024)
Honours: 2x NPC champion (2022, 2024) -
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Josh Moorby back to the Hurricanes - 2 year deal to my understanding. Announcement pending, should be announced over the next week or 2.
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@cgrant said in Hurricanes 2026:
He could become the Canes fullback, thus allowing Love to concentrate on his 1st Five job.
Honestly our wing depth is our biggest issue. Who knows how Naholo will be after his knee injury, I dont rate Punivai or sinkinson, Tjay Clarke has signed overseas im pretty sure. Lock Moorby in as our 14 in my opinion. there will be a bit of shuffling as we have four 1st 5s in the squad (Cameron, Love, Godfrey, Harkin), i imagine Godfrey and Love will spend some time at 15 with Cameron and Love sharing the 10.
Even with JB back throws a bit of a spanner in the works, another option at 15 (not that i would pick him there) but all of our best backs are either 10s, midfields or fullbacks. Sullivan and Moorby will surely be focused as wings, competing with Naholo & Fineaganofo
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@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes 2026:
@cgrant said in Hurricanes 2026:
He could become the Canes fullback, thus allowing Love to concentrate on his 1st Five job.
Honestly our wing depth is our biggest issue. Who knows how Naholo will be after his knee injury, I dont rate Punivai or sinkinson, Tjay Clarke has signed overseas im pretty sure. Lock Moorby in as our 14 in my opinion. there will be a bit of shuffling as we have four 1st 5s in the squad (Cameron, Love, Godfrey, Harkin), i imagine Godfrey and Love will spend some time at 15 with Cameron and Love sharing the 10.
Even with JB back throws a bit of a spanner in the works, another option at 15 (not that i would pick him there) but all of our best backs are either 10s, midfields or fullbacks. Sullivan and Moorby will surely be focused as wings, competing with Naholo & Fineaganofo
Sinkinson has left mate, I'd say the Canes will start the season with Fineanganofo and Moorby as the wing options. Fullback could be any of Love, Harkin, Godfrey or even Barrett if they decide to start Higgins at 12. Sullivan can obviously cover wing, Clarke is showing huge promise at NPC level without getting much opportunity at Super. I think we have room for one more outside back signing so maybe Tito-Harris could be a target for the Canes next year, hopefully Naholo comes back and hasn't been too hampered by that injury.
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Updated squad list for 2026.
Hookers
A Aumua
J Devery
R TuputupuProps:
X Numia
T Mafileo
P Tosi
T Lomax
S Lauaki
P Rakete-StonesLocks:
T Allen
C Delany
I Walker-Leawere
H Plummer
W DearnsLoose forwards:
D Kirifi
P Lakai
B Iose
D Flanders
B Shields
A PolikoHalfbacks:
C Roigard
J Vijoen
E EnariFirst fives:
B Cameron
H GodfreyCentres:
B Sullivan
B Proctor
J Barrett
R HigginsOutside backs:
R Love
C Harkin
F Fineanganofo
N Punivai
K Naholo
T Clarke
J Moorby -
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes 2026:
@cgrant said in Hurricanes 2026:
He could become the Canes fullback, thus allowing Love to concentrate on his 1st Five job.
Honestly our wing depth is our biggest issue. Who knows how Naholo will be after his knee injury, I dont rate Punivai or sinkinson, Tjay Clarke has signed overseas im pretty sure. Lock Moorby in as our 14 in my opinion. there will be a bit of shuffling as we have four 1st 5s in the squad (Cameron, Love, Godfrey, Harkin), i imagine Godfrey and Love will spend some time at 15 with Cameron and Love sharing the 10.
Even with JB back throws a bit of a spanner in the works, another option at 15 (not that i would pick him there) but all of our best backs are either 10s, midfields or fullbacks. Sullivan and Moorby will surely be focused as wings, competing with Naholo & Fineaganofo
Sinkinson has left mate, I'd say the Canes will start the season with Fineanganofo and Moorby as the wing options. Fullback could be any of Love, Harkin, Godfrey or even Barrett if they decide to start Higgins at 12. Sullivan can obviously cover wing, Clarke is showing huge promise at NPC level without getting much opportunity at Super. I think we have room for one more outside back signing so maybe Tito-Harris could be a target for the Canes next year, hopefully Naholo comes back and hasn't been too hampered by that injury.
Huh for some reason had thought Clarke was off overseas but now i cant see any official comms about it, must have been a rumour! Yeah be good to pick someone on form, though Kade Banks by all means was on fire last year and barely got a look in. Those Auckland wings looking bloody good.
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There are still three positions to fill for next year, one from my understanding will go to Rova from Canterbury.
Movements so far:
- Moorby has replaced Sinkinson
- Harkin will come into the full squad for Banks
- Dearns replaces Gallagher
- Hugo Plummer has replaced Josh Taula
- Riley Hohepa has been released
- Lucas Cashmore has been released but doesn't need to be replaced with Cameron back in the squad.
- Will Tucker has been released
Signings still to come:
- 1x Lock/loose forward: I would like to see the Canes sign an extra loosie to take his place. I would have loved to see us sign Akira Ieremia but I understand he's contracted to Japan.
- 1x Centre: * Rova to replace Umaga-Jensen (not announced)
- 1x Outside back: Riley Hohepa drops out, but with all of Harkin, Love, Godfrey and Cameron in the squad, there is no need to carry another First Five. I see the Canes signing an extra outside back with Naholo likely out for the early part of Super. Tito-Harris would be a great target here.
When you factor in the movements above, I think the Canes will have a stronger squad than last year, especially with the return of Jordie Barrett.
I'm also hoping Dearns loves Super Rugby so much that he decides to return after the 2027 World Cup and align himself with the Canes and potentially All Blacks leading into the 2031 event.
My preferred 23 to kick-off the season would be pretty close to the below (assuming everyone is fit). I think Laidlaw will be more conservative and start Cameron at 10, Barrett at 12 and Love at 15.
- Numia
- Aumua
- Lomax
- Walker-Leawere
- Dearns
- Flanders
- Kirifi - I think the Canes should give him the captaincy, he is a superb leader of men.
- Lakai
- Roigard
- Love - throw him the 10 jersey and keep him there in my view.
- Fineanganofo
- Higgins
- Proctor
- Moorby
- Barrett
- Devery
- Mafileo
- Tosi
- Delany
- Iose
- Vijoen
- Godfrey
- Sullivan
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Looking at that is actually bloody exciting. Most of those guys have continued to improve year on year and some good combos being built. Just have to avoid the injury streak we had this year, especially in preseason and trainings which was just so bizarre
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@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes 2026:
Looking at that is actually bloody exciting. Most of those guys have continued to improve year on year and some good combos being built. Just have to avoid the injury streak we had this year, especially in preseason and trainings which was just so bizarre
Hopefully we don't get the 13 odd injuries at the start of the year next season. We made a good comeback to eventually finish 4th but I'm hoping we hit the ground running next season, just like we did in 2024. Definitely have the players to do well.
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Is Cooper Flanders signed anywhere currently? Surely the canes will be trying to court him, hes looking bloody good for the Magpies only 21.
