Hurricanes bolster squad with 10 new signings ahead of 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season

The Hurricanes have confirmed 10 new signings for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with blockbusting No.8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa — a recent All Blacks squad member on the RGR tour of South Africa — headlining the arrivals.

Half-back Bryn Hall adds considerable experience to the group, returning to Super Rugby after spells in Japan with Shizuoka Blue Revs and Kubota Spears following his departure from the Crusaders in 2022. The six-time Super Rugby champion bolsters a halves department that head coach Laidlaw identified as a priority area.

Much of the squad-building effort has been directed at the second row, where the Hurricanes needed to offset the departure of world-class lock Warner Dearns, who was only on a one-year commitment. All Blacks XV loose forward Oliver Haig and Hawke’s Bay lock Hunter Morrison — a standout in this year’s NPC competition — have both been recruited, along with promising 20-year-old Waikato lock Dylan Eti, who represented New Zealand U20 in the 2025 Rugby Championship. Moana Pasifika lock Alefosio Aho completes the investment in that area.

Up front, ex-Highlanders prop Rohan Wingham and Moana Pasifika forward Tito Tuipulotu have been added, while in the backs, midfielder Tamiro Armstrong arrives from Bay of Plenty. Former Crusader and Northland product Heremiah Murray provides cover at centre after Ngane Punivai ruptured his Achilles earlier this month and is expected to miss the entire 2027 season.

Josh Gray rounds out the new faces, earning a full contract after being promoted from the Wider Training Group following his Super Rugby Pacific debut last season.

“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,” head coach Laidlaw said. “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.”

Laidlaw expressed satisfaction with the balance achieved between experience and youth. “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,” he added, noting that new and returning players would be welcomed back for pre-season in November.