Hurricanes 2026
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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
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@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 Clarke
J Moorby (rumoured)@Canes4life Good squad, but we probably need to sign another lock, a utility loose forward and a backup half back.
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@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.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:
@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.
Yep he had a couple of good games. When he on he is he's certainly a real good player at super, but even for the Naki he at times to be not quite with it at times. I agree he was good at end, but perhaps he needs a little more consistency Don't get me wrong I happy he's still going to be with Canes.
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@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.
@Canes4life heard this was true and he is enroute back to Canes
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@Canes4life , mate I was reading a comment of yours on AB thread (I think), and you were saying next year Laidlaw should/would play Roigard/Love as 9-10. Just thought I would answer in here and ask do you think Godfrey will miss out? I would be happy with Love at 10, but can also see Roigard/Godfrey going well, with JB, Proctor in midfield and Love at 15. Understand also the Higgins think, but I still remember how well JB and Proctor went, especially in defence last year, and perhaps I see Barrett as maybe a better option at 12. Higgins I like, but tends to be a little frail injury wise, and not sure I am convinced on his defence. But once again just an opinion anyway, and no more correct than yours.
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@Canes4life , mate I was reading a comment of yours on AB thread (I think), and you were saying next year Laidlaw should/would play Roigard/Love as 9-10. Just thought I would answer in here and ask do you think Godfrey will miss out? I would be happy with Love at 10, but can also see Roigard/Godfrey going well, with JB, Proctor in midfield and Love at 15. Understand also the Higgins think, but I still remember how well JB and Proctor went, especially in defence last year, and perhaps I see Barrett as maybe a better option at 12. Higgins I like, but tends to be a little frail injury wise, and not sure I am convinced on his defence. But once again just an opinion anyway, and no more correct than yours.
@Dan54 said in Hurricanes 2026:
@Canes4life , mate I was reading a comment of yours on AB thread (I think), and you were saying next year Laidlaw should/would play Roigard/Love as 9-10. Just thought I would answer in here and ask do you think Godfrey will miss out? I would be happy with Love at 10, but can also see Roigard/Godfrey going well, with JB, Proctor in midfield and Love at 15. Understand also the Higgins think, but I still remember how well JB and Proctor went, especially in defence last year, and perhaps I see Barrett as maybe a better option at 12. Higgins I like, but tends to be a little frail injury wise, and not sure I am convinced on his defence. But once again just an opinion anyway, and no more correct than yours.
Personally I would start a backline of 9. Roigard 10. Love 11. Naholo 12. Higgins 13. Proctor 14. Moorby 15. Barrett
Godfrey also showed plenty of promise this year, but I feel Love has a better all-round game, bigger boot, better defensively. Godfrey would be my 10/15 cover off the bench and then Sullivan would be my other bench option covering centre/wing.
I'm sure if this season is anything to go by, we will see plenty of different combinations next year due to injuries, but I feel Higgins has to start playing 12 on a regular. His combination with Proctor was superb when they both came back, and I believe Higgins has a much higher ceiling at 12 than Jordie long term. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Higgins is contending for that 12 spot come the WC. He's shown at every level he's played at that he's a classy operator.
Moving Jordie back to 15 means we have a world-class option at the back which Jordan showed over the weekend is absolutely vital come those big games.
Whether it's the way Laidlaw goes remains to be seen but it's what I feel will give us the best chance at a title next year.
