Hurricanes 2025
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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!
@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:
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@Duluth A log jam of talent, but it makes sense to lose some of the more expensive older guys to keep hold of all the young talent we've got coming through our world-class development system.
We just need to find a decent Ten.
@sparky said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Duluth A log jam of talent, but it makes sense to lose some of the more expensive older guys to keep hold of all the young talent we've got coming through our world-class development system.
> We just need to find a decent Ten.
Essential. This is the key
Barrett leaving for 2025 is an issue due to depth. I rate Higgins highly but not PUJ or Sullivan. Both are only adequate at this level so if one of Higgins or Proctor is rested or injured (or looses form etc) we have an issue
TJ will be a loss if confirmed but we have both Roigard and Viljoen. Viljoen looks an excellent prospect and I want to see more of him But we need another good option. Maybe Kyle Preston. But he really needs more NPC time
Savea we are well covered as noted before
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@sparky said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Duluth A log jam of talent, but it makes sense to lose some of the more expensive older guys to keep hold of all the young talent we've got coming through our world-class development system.
> We just need to find a decent Ten.
Essential. This is the key
Barrett leaving for 2025 is an issue due to depth. I rate Higgins highly but not PUJ or Sullivan. Both are only adequate at this level so if one of Higgins or Proctor is rested or injured (or looses form etc) we have an issue
TJ will be a loss if confirmed but we have both Roigard and Viljoen. Viljoen looks an excellent prospect and I want to see more of him But we need another good option. Maybe Kyle Preston. But he really needs more NPC time
Savea we are well covered as noted before
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2025:
@sparky said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Duluth A log jam of talent, but it makes sense to lose some of the more expensive older guys to keep hold of all the young talent we've got coming through our world-class development system.
> We just need to find a decent Ten.
Essential. This is the key
Barrett leaving for 2025 is an issue due to depth. I rate Higgins highly but not PUJ or Sullivan. Both are only adequate at this level so if one of Higgins or Proctor is rested or injured (or looses form etc) we have an issue
TJ will be a loss if confirmed but we have both Roigard and Viljoen. Viljoen looks an excellent prospect and I want to see more of him But we need another good option. Maybe Kyle Preston. But he really needs more NPC time
Savea we are well covered as noted before
You’ve literally echoed what I’ve said above haha. Preston would be a really good pick-up for the third halfback. He’s likely the starter for the Lions this year unless the ABs no longer need TJ so he should get plenty of time to shine.
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We are just in a time in the cycle where there are very few decent 10s around, let alone available. The Landers have kids. The Crusaders are relying on NZ Rugby making 10 staff redundant to pay for Richie Mo'unga. Yuu guys have Cameron, who is serviceable. The Chiefs have McKenzie, and Jacomb. The Blues are hoarding with their guys. This is a problem going right down to the NPC too, with two or three Australians coming over and potentially filling the jersey. It is a big problem for NZ Rugby as well as for individual Super franchises.
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We are just in a time in the cycle where there are very few decent 10s around, let alone available. The Landers have kids. The Crusaders are relying on NZ Rugby making 10 staff redundant to pay for Richie Mo'unga. Yuu guys have Cameron, who is serviceable. The Chiefs have McKenzie, and Jacomb. The Blues are hoarding with their guys. This is a problem going right down to the NPC too, with two or three Australians coming over and potentially filling the jersey. It is a big problem for NZ Rugby as well as for individual Super franchises.
@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2025:
The Crusaders are relying on NZ Rugby making 10 staff redundant to pay for Richie Mo'unga
Its kind of pathetic. RM made his choice so work with those who want to be here. But he's a Crusader and Robertson etc
I would like to see Love get game time at 1st for Wellington. But JGB is back so unlikely. But JGB is fine at NPC level (better than Morgan by far) but struggles at super level
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@Bones said in Hurricanes 2025:
Higgins gets massive wraps for a guy that's done fuck all.
He wasn’t bad covering Jordie when he was red carded earlier in the year but the kid just needs more game time at Super, hasn’t had too much opportunity. Same goes with Harry Godfrey. Higgins has definitely shown the full array of skills playing for Wellington the last two seasons including being a big reason we won the title in 2022. Hope he can transfer that to Super where he has plenty to prove.
