PLENTY OF TRIES EXPECTED

Confidence is sky-high in the capital after Wellington took out the NPC title and the Ranfurly Shield last year. Will the Hurricanes add to the trophy cabinet in 2023?

Coach: Jason Holland

Captain: Ardie Savea

Home grounds:

Sky Stadium Wellington; CET Arena, Palmerston North

Website: www.hurricanes.co.nz

Tickets: hurricanes.flicket.co.nz

Contact: PO Box 7201

Wellington South

Phone: 04 389 0020

Email: mail@hurricanes.co.nz

Team TAB odds: $7.00

FORWARDS:

Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones, James Blackwell, Dom Bird, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Justin Sangster, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Tyler Laubscher, Devan Flanders, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Peter Lakai.

BACKS:

Jamie Booth, TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard, Aidan Morgan, Ruben Love, Brett Cameron, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson.

LAST YEAR:

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC: FIFTH

Played 14: won six, lost eight. Not much to write home about there and the final placing of fifth was a fair result. There was no problem with the attacking ability of the Hurricanes, they scored 64 tries to equal the Blues and Crusaders, but defensively they were not as accurate.

LUCK OF THE DRAW:

The Canes start with away games in Brisbane and Melbourne before two tough home clashes against the Blues and Waratahs. In round five, they have a chance to reverse last year’s result when they play Moana Pasifika in Auckland.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW:

The Hurricanes always promise so much ahead of every new campaign but have struggled to fulfil that potential. Their sole Super Rugby title in 2016 is proof of that.

This year’s squad looks as strong as ever with plenty of depth and some of the game’s biggest stars. All Blacks Ardie Savea, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara lead the way, while the talented trio of Cam Roigard, Bailyn Sullivan and Ruben Love are all quality players who were part of the All Blacks XV team last year.

Head coach Jason Holland is excited about the calibre of players he has to work with.

“We’ve got five current All Blacks and four All Blacks XVs returning home to help lead the team, guys with a massive work ethic, as well as some standout players from the Bunnings NPC, including a group of Wellington players who took out the NPC title.

“Overall, we’re excited about this group. We think we’ve got a good balance of experience, alongside some youngsters who have some solid provincial experience, and a big group of guys who are secondand third-year Super Rugby players. We look forward to putting on some performances that we can be proud of and our fans can enjoy. We can’t wait to kick-off this next season of Super Rugby Pacific.”

There are five new signings for the 2023 campaign. Waikato outside back Dan Sinkinson, Taranaki’s flying winger Kini Naholo and Manawatu - ’s quality first-five Brett Cameron are joined by Wellington’s Riley Higgins and Peter Lakai.

“We’re excited about our two new outside backs Dan Sinkinson and Kini Naholo. There is plenty of competition among our outside backs, and both Kini and Sinkinson will come in and challenge for a spot straight away, which is exciting for us as a coaching group,” says Holland.

“Kini can finish and is a powerful young talent so we think he’s a solid new addition. Sinkinson played for Waikato in the NPC. He has all the attributes we are looking for. He works hard, he’s strong and we think he is going to fit the way we play, so we’re looking forward to getting him into a fulltime professional environment and seeing what he can do.” Former Crusaders first-five Cameron could be the most important signing to fill the crucial number 10 jersey. He links up with the Hurricanes following a season with the Manawatu - Turbos and a stint in Japan.

“He is a talented player with a great skillset, a good kicker and punts well, but he is also a real threat at the line. He is an athlete who makes really good decisions,” says Holland.

WHO’S NEW:

Forwards: Peter Lakai (Wellington).

Backs: Kini Naholo (Crusaders), Brett Cameron (Japan), Daniel Sinkinson (Waikato), Riley Higgins (Wellington).

WHO’S THROUGH:

Forwards: Scott Scrafton (Italy), Blake Gibson (Scotland).

Backs: Jackson Garden-Bachop (Japan), Pepesana Patafilo (Crusaders), Wes Goosen (Scotland), Teihorangi Walden (Rugby New York).