Hurricanes 2026
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@Canes4life Which club was he playing for? I did see a few weeks back that Vernon Bason was back playing in Manawatū club rugby, as a loose forward.
@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life Which club was he playing for? I did see a few weeks back that Vernon Bason was back playing in Manawatū club rugby, as a loose forward.
I've just posted it in the NPC chat.
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The Canes have just confirmed.
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Bit surprised Josh Taula’s been let go. He’s an absolute unit. Anyone know where he’s off too?
@handa457 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Bit surprised Josh Taula’s been let go. He’s an absolute unit. Anyone know where he’s off too?
A unit for sure but obviously didn’t make an impact in the two seasons he was training with the side.
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@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2026:
Taula didn't play a single SR game in those 2 years.
The only game I've recalled him ever playing was an NPC game against Wellington where he had a brain explosion and put a massive late shot on Ruben Love before being sent off.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Landers92 So those confirmed as leaving are.
- Will Tucker
- Daniel Sinkinson
- Kade Banks
- Lucas Cashmore
- Josh Taula
- Umaga-Jensen
- Gallagher
Shame we didn’t keep Gallagher and Banks, I wish Banks got more opportunity to show what he could do at Super after a fantastic NPC.
@Landers92 based on this information, it looks like the Canes only need to confirm three more players for next year if the rumours about Dearns and Naholo re-signing are true, and the fact Raymond Tuputupu/Tjay Clarke aren't on that leavers list.
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 Higgins
J RovaOutside backs:
R Love
C Harkin
F Fineanganofo
N Punivai
K Naholo
T ClarkeThe posts I’ve put up about Dearns and Naholo are correct so I’d say that’s pretty bang on.
Heard there is another ‘decent’ signing in the works, wasn’t able to get a name just yet.
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Heard there is another ‘decent’ signing in the works, wasn’t able to get a name just yet.
Could potentially be Josh Moorby with him breaking his contract at Montpellier? That would add some nice balance, depth and experience to our outsides.
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To follow up on my post last week about contract offers for Pouri Rakete-Stones and Jone Rova, Rakete-Stones has re-signed for 2026 and Rova through 2027.
The 1 year offer is still on the table for Ere Enari.
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:
The 1 year offer is still on the table for Ere Enari.
Let's hope Enari doesn't take it.
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@gt12 said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@gt12 said in Hurricanes 2025:
Could he (in a super pinch) cover HB at NPC / Super level? A 9/10/15 cover player could be gold for a 6/2 bench.
Funnily enough, he has played 9 before so he could be the perfect bench option.
That's what the post above said - has he played there at Super level yet?
Oh right, I remember him getting injured in a pre-season game in Levin playing halfback for the Canes.
@Canes4life I think by that stage he had been converted to a 10 and the Canes put him on at 15
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Could he (in a super pinch) cover HB at NPC / Super level? A 9/10/15 cover player could be gold for a 6/2 bench.
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@gt12 He hasn’t had any time at 9 since U19’s but he cleared ball from a few rucks for the Lions and Canes this year - so yep at a super pinch - why not
@SecFid said in Hurricanes 2026:
@gt12 He hasn’t had any time at 9 since U19’s but he cleared ball from a few rucks for the Lions and Canes this year - so yep at a super pinch - why not
It would something for them to consider, a 9/10/15 would allow so much potential for bench impact.
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Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
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@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
Naholo accepted the offer. He’s a cane through 2027.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
Naholo accepted the offer. He’s a cane through 2027.
@Landers92 damn. I’d hoped the Landers would snap him up.
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@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
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@Canes4life Yep mate, I realise he won't be here for the Naki this year, but maybe going forward. I actually think he more suited to provincial rugby, as he not really always at top in Super?
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life Yep mate, I realise he won't be here for the Naki this year, but maybe going forward. I actually think he more suited to provincial rugby, as he not really always at top in Super?
He was looking pretty damn good before his injury.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
Naholo accepted the offer. He’s a cane through 2027.
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
Sorry ,I missed the rumour, has Naholo lost or pulled out of his Japan contract. As a Naki man, I would be extremely happy if he did.
Yeah, after he was injured, the team he had signed for pulled his contract and now he has an offer on the table from the Canes again.
Unlikely he will play for Taranaki this year and might even miss a big chunk of the Super campaign pending on the extent of his injury.
Naholo accepted the offer. He’s a cane through 2027.
Thanks for always bringing us the scoop
