Hurricanes Secure New Talent to Fill No. 10 Jersey Void
The Hurricanes have secured a new first five-eighth and welcomed back a familiar face to address their No. 10 jersey challenges.
New Signings Cashmore and Hohepa Step Up
Lucas Cashmore and Riley Hohepa have been recruited to fill the void left by Brett Cameron’s season-ending knee injury and Aidan Morgan’s departure to Ulster.
Last season, 22-year-old Cashmore made an appearance for the Blues’ championship-winning Super Rugby Pacific team and aided Bay of Plenty in reaching the NPC final.
Counties Manukau first five-eighth Hohepa, 29, is at the other end of the experience spectrum. He made two appearances for the Hurricanes in 2023 and spent last season with the Crusaders as an injury replacement for Fergus Burke.
Versatile Options in the Backline
The Hurricanes also have two exciting fullbacks, All Black Ruben Love and New Zealand under-20 star Harry Godfrey, they can call upon to play at first-five.
Handling Major Departures with Depth and New Additions
The Hurricanes have lost bigger names than most, farewellling All Blacks stars Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika) TJ Perenara (Black Rams Tokyo), Jordie Barrett (Leinster). However, as they showed last season, when Savea was in Japan, that they have options within to cover the notable absences.
They are blessed with depth in the loose forwards, a fit Roigard is arguably an upgrade on Pererara while second five-eighth Riley Higgins looks every bit a future All Black and will get an opportunity to show it while Barrett is in Ireland.
Reinforcements in the Forward Pack
The most significant change in the forward pack is at lock, with three new additions: New Zealand under-20 representative Tom Allen, Zach Gallagher from the Crusaders, and Will Tucker from the Highlanders.
Halfback Depth Bolstered with Enari Signing
Samoan international halfback Ereatara Enari has been signed from Moana Pasifika to replace Perenara, and he will compete with New Zealand under-20 halfback Jordi Viljoen for a spot on the bench behind star No. 9 Cam Roigard.
Exciting New Talent Out Wide
Salesi Rayasi and Josh Moorby are key losses out wide, but coach Clark Laidlaw has made some exciting additions, bringing in the NPC’s top try-scorer of 2024, Kade Banks from the Blues, All Blacks Sevens standout Fehi Fineanganofo, and NPC champion Tjay Clarke.
2024 Hurricanes Squad Roster
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu
Locks: Tom Allen, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Josh Taula, Will Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Loose forwards: Devon Flanders, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Jordi Viljoen
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Riley Hohepa
Midfielders: Billy Proctor, Riley Higgins, Ngane Punivae, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Tjay Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson
Ins: Tom Allen, Kade Banks, Lucas Cashmore, Tjay Clarke, Ereatara Enari, Fehi Fineanganofo, Zach Gallagher, Riley Hohepa, Arese Poliko, Will Tucker
Outs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Grant, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Josh Moorby, Aidan Morgan, James O’Reilly, TJ Perenara, Salesi Rayasi, Justin Sangster, Ardie Savea, James Tucker
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