Hurricanes 2025
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Captain now that Ardies gone will be a big decision. My view is Shields might be a bit past it now to be captain. Let him focus on fitness and playing
@Winger yeah Brad Shields is probably passed it now. It needs to be a player that's well respected, is a locked down starter for nearly every game and has great game awareness. I would promote Billy Proctor from vice to captain. I would leave Aumua as a co-vice because it brought the best out of him this year and I would maybe have someone like Brayden Iose or Devan Flanders as the other co-vice. Or maybe even Cam Roigard.
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@Winger said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
I see Tyler Laubscher is back with Manawatu this season. He played very well in his one cameo for the Canes before getting injured. If he can stay on the park and show form for the Turbos, he could be an option to replace Savea.
He looked an exciting prospect. But was always injured so a big risk even if he if fine for Manawatu. But might be wortha punt if he can stay the NPC distance
Has Howden re-signed. Also looks promising but Tyler more so
I reckon TK Howden has a very big future, whether that's with the Canes or not remains to be seen as there might not be enough room for him going forward. Unfortunately he was injured for most of the Super campaign but he was our best forward in pre-season.
He'll be 24 by the time the next season comes around and at 1.96m and 109kg, with a bit more weight he could be exactly what NZ is looking for in a 6. He's got all the silky skills and does everything very well, he just needs to mature a bit more and he could be a beast.
I'd like Howden to get more time at 6 next year if they see Delany purely as a lock. I think he's more of a natural 6 than Flanders and now with Ardie gone I think we could start Howden (ahead of the aging Shields) and use Flanders off the bench as 6/8 cover. I wouldn't mind seeing this pack next year at some point with Walker-Leawere and Flanders coming off the bench.
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua
- Tyrel Lomax
- Caleb Delany
- Zach Gallagher
- TK Howden
- Peter Lakai
- Brayden Iose
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As I posted in the exodus thread. Been informed TJ Perenara has signed on in Japan on a 3 year deal. Leaving after the All Blacks season after the end of year tour. Odd because he’s supposedly got a contract running through next year.
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As I posted in the exodus thread. Been informed TJ Perenara has signed on in Japan on a 3 year deal. Leaving after the All Blacks season after the end of year tour. Odd because he’s supposedly got a contract running through next year.
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2025:
As I posted in the exodus thread. Been informed TJ Perenara has signed on in Japan on a 3 year deal. Leaving after the All Blacks season after the end of year tour. Odd because he’s supposedly got a contract running through next year.
I've heard the same thing. So the Canes lose Barrett, Ardie and Perenara for next year. Those are three big blows.
Maybe this latest injury has made him re-think his future. Fair play to him if he moves on.
We've got Roigard and the exciting Vijoen in our squad so his loss won't be felt too badly. And fair play to him aswell, go and make some money for your family pal, you've got nothing left to prove.
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@Duluth said in Hurricanes 2025:
Scurrying off of a sinking ship. Whats going on at the Canes
Thankfully we've got plenty of talent to replace these guys. Vijoen for Perenara, Higgins for Barrett and Ardie wasn't at the Canes this year anyway so won't feel like a big loss with all the loose talent that we already have.
Without those three players I think it might bring the best out of the Canes tbh.
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@Duluth said in Hurricanes 2025:
Scurrying off of a sinking ship. Whats going on at the Canes
Thankfully we've got plenty of talent to replace these guys. Vijoen for Perenara, Higgins for Barrett and Ardie wasn't at the Canes this year anyway so won't feel like a big loss with all the loose talent that we already have.
Without those three players I think it might bring the best out of the Canes tbh.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
Without those three players I think it might bring the best out of the Canes tbh.
All three are currently in the AB squad. I guess they should drop them
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As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
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As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
Yeah it’s not doom and gloom at all. Higgins has been around the squad for three years now so primed to step up. Vijoen showed this year that he is probably the closest thing to Aaron Smith that we have in NZ atm, so looking forward to what he can do backing up Roigard, and with Iose, Flanders and Lakai we’ve got talent to burn in the loose.
Agree that Barrett probably effects us most but he’ll be back.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
Yeah it’s not doom and gloom at all. Higgins has been around the squad for three years now so primed to step up. Vijoen showed this year that he is probably the closest thing to Aaron Smith that we have in NZ atm, so looking forward to what he can do backing up Roigard, and with Iose, Flanders and Lakai we’ve got talent to burn in the loose.
Agree that Barrett probably effects us most but he’ll be back.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
It just doesn't really work like that in Super Rugby though does it? FWIW, as an outsider I don't think either are huge losses, but equally it is all negative noise. If things were to go against the Canes early in the season as they did to the Crusaders this year, these things can quickly spiral.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
It just doesn't really work like that in Super Rugby though does it? FWIW, as an outsider I don't think either are huge losses, but equally it is all negative noise. If things were to go against the Canes early in the season as they did to the Crusaders this year, these things can quickly spiral.
@frugby said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
It just doesn't really work like that in Super Rugby though does it? FWIW, as an outsider I don't think either are huge losses, but equally it is all negative noise. If things were to go against the Canes early in the season as they did to the Crusaders this year, these things can quickly spiral.
That's why we need to recruit well. In Perenara's case, securing someone like Preston who's just as good as any other halfback going around atm is a must. If we can sign Matt Proctor, he's experienced cover for midfield and wing, and then if we sign another good loose forward we should be looking solid. Hookers, first five and wings are probably our areas that are the weakest so securing good talent in those spaces is a must.
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
Yeah it’s not doom and gloom at all. Higgins has been around the squad for three years now so primed to step up. Vijoen showed this year that he is probably the closest thing to Aaron Smith that we have in NZ atm, so looking forward to what he can do backing up Roigard, and with Iose, Flanders and Lakai we’ve got talent to burn in the loose.
Agree that Barrett probably effects us most but he’ll be back.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
As a Canes fan it's a bit frustrating, but, not doom & gloom in my eyes.
As much as I love TJ, Roigard is far better, and Viljoen is more than capable.
Losing Ardie sucks, but, at least we have depth in our back row.
Barrett is the biggest loss of the 3 imo, not that Higgins isn't good, but Barrett and Proctor are a great pairing. Obviously he'll be back.
Losing Ardie and Perenara will give us a bit more cash aswell to go after more talent to strengthen us in areas that we are weaker.
I agree with you on TJP and Ardie. The optics regarding Ardie leaving are not quite as good, but unlike other eras I don't think management are being made to look as bad as all that. TJP had a great season, but he is nearing the end. Especially if Roigard comes back close to his old self
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Hurricanes squad update:
Obviously there have been a few twists and turns with players deciding to move on. I have updated next year's squad based on recent events.
Hurricanes Squad 2025 - signed so far
Prop:
T Lomax (2026)
X Numia (2025)
T Mafileo (2026)
P Tosi (2026)
S Lauaki (2025)
P Rakete-Stones (2025)Hooker:
A Aumua (2025)Lock
Z Gallagher (2025)
C Delany (2027)
I Walker-Leawere (2026)
J Taula (2025)
T Allen (2026)Loose forward:
P Lakai (2027)
D Flanders (2026)
B Iose (2027)
T Howden (2025)
B Shields (2026)
D Kirifi (2025)Halfback:
C Roigard (2027)
J Vijoen (2026)First five:
B Cameron (2026)
H Godfrey (2025)Centre:
R Higgins (2026)
B Proctor (2025)
P Umaga-Jensen (2026)Utility:
B Sullivan (2025)Wing:
D Sinkinson (2025)Fullback:
R Love (2025) -
Putting my credibility on the line with the TJ news but like I’ve said previously with other news it’s very reliable and couldn’t get much closer to the horses mouth.
The part that gets me is TJ is supposedly still under contract to NZR next season so I’m interested to know how things have been worked there. Have players in NZ been purchased out of their contracts early before or could this be a case of Japan rugby saying ‘we get TJ a year early and we will give you back Mounga a year early’. Bit of a stretch but just thinking of possibilities. Will be interesting to see how it all comes out.
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I have also asked about this mystery 10 they are in talks with and it seems the situation is very tight lipped that not even players have an idea of who it is. I’ll check back in a few days to see if there’s any news around it(if it isn’t already announced).
With JGB being in Wellington and being announced at the Lions, obvious signs point to him.
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I have also asked about this mystery 10 they are in talks with and it seems the situation is very tight lipped that not even players have an idea of who it is. I’ll check back in a few days to see if there’s any news around it(if it isn’t already announced).
With JGB being in Wellington and being announced at the Lions, obvious signs point to him.
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2025:
I have also asked about this mystery 10 they are in talks with and it seems the situation is very tight lipped that not even players have an idea of who it is. I’ll check back in a few days to see if there’s any news around it(if it isn’t already announced).
RICHIE MO'UNGA.
Straight swap for TJ. -
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2025:
I have also asked about this mystery 10 they are in talks with and it seems the situation is very tight lipped that not even players have an idea of who it is. I’ll check back in a few days to see if there’s any news around it(if it isn’t already announced).
RICHIE MO'UNGA.
Straight swap for TJ.@Canes4life It would be better than him returning to the red and blacks!
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@Canes4life It would be better than him returning to the red and blacks!
@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life It would be better than him returning to the red and blacks!
Who would want to go back there right now. :face_with_tongue:
