Hurricanes name 15 All Blacks in 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific squad
Fifteen All Blacks headline the Hurricanes’ squad for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season as the defending champions welcome new signing Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.
The powerful No 8 arrives from Moana Pasifika as one of 10 new signings in a squad that retains 28 members of the Hurricanes’ title-winning 2026 roster.
Tupou Ta’eiloa joins fellow All Blacks loose forwards Peter Lakai and Du’Plessis Kirifi, adding another international option to a group that also includes former England representative Brad Shields and incoming All Blacks XV forward Oliver Haig.
The Hurricanes’ All Blacks contingent extends throughout the squad, with Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi among the props, alongside hooker Asafo Aumua.
In the backs, Cam Roigard returns at halfback, with Brett Cameron and Ruben Love named among the first-fives. Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor feature in midfield, while Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby provide international experience out wide.
Head coach Clark Laidlaw said the recruitment process had focused on strengthening key areas while maintaining a balance between established performers and emerging talent.
“We’ve done a lot of work over the last 10 months, since the turn of the year when we knew a few players were departing. It’s not only been a process over the NPC, but it started back in January around trying to look at the areas of the squad that needed reinforcements.”
Alongside Tupou Ta’eiloa and Haig, the new arrivals include six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall, who joins Roigard and Jordi Viljoen in the halfback group.
Former Highlanders prop Rohan Wingham and Hawke’s Bay lock Hunter Morrison also come into the squad, along with prop Tito Tuipulotu and lock Alefosio Aho, who both played alongside Tupou Ta’eiloa at Moana Pasifika last season.
Waikato lock Dylan Eti and Bay of Plenty midfielder Tāmiro Armstrong earn their first full Super Rugby Pacific contracts after spending last season in the Chiefs’ Wider Training Group.
Utility back Heremaia Murray, who has previously represented the Crusaders and Queensland Reds, has been included as cover for Ngane Punivai. Punivai is expected to miss the 2027 campaign after rupturing his Achilles.
Josh Gray has also earned promotion from the Hurricanes’ Wider Training Group after making his Super Rugby Pacific debut during the 2026 Super Round.
Laidlaw believes the squad is well placed to build on its championship season.
“We feel like the balance we’ve managed to get in the main squad allows us to continue to play and prepare well with experience, as well as having an eye to the future.”
The Hurricanes will announce their Wider Training Group on Thursday, with players outside the current All Blacks squad reporting for pre-season on 26 November.
Watch: HIGHLIGHTS | Hurricanes v Chiefs | Grand Final, 2026
Hurricanes squad for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific
All Blacks are shown in bold.
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Tito Tuipulotu, Rohan Wingham.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu.
Locks: Alefosio Aho, Caleb Delany, Dylan Eti, Hunter Morrison, Hugo Plummer.
Loose forwards: Oliver Haig, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen.
First-fives: Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love.
Midfielders: Tāmiro Armstrong, Jordie Barrett, Heremaia Murray, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova.
Outside backs: Josh Gray, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai.*
Ngane Punivai is expected to miss the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season due to injury.
