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Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes inks deal with Hurricanes Poua
By Henry Lee
Ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season, the Hurricanes Poua have added Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes, who has made the move south from the Chiefs Manawa.
The 29-Test Black Fern had an outstanding year for the national side in 2025, helping Allan Bunting’s side finish third in the competition held in England.
Holmes, who was born and raised in Gisborne, has spent the past two seasons at the Chiefs Manawa, after representing New Zealand in age-grade football, taekwondo, and ultimate frisbee during her younger years.
The experienced goal-kicker has scored 199 points for the Black Ferns so far in her career, having made her debut in 2020.
Holmes has previously won the Rugby World Cup with the Black Ferns on home soil in 2022 and won the Super Rugby Aupiki title with Lincoln-based franchise Matatu in 2023.
The Black Ferns fullback said she’s looking forward to being a part of the culture down in Wellington, as she admires the “vibes” and the playing style the franchise has.
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“I’m super excited to be joining this team. I love the culture and the vibes, the style of rugby the Poua play, and I’m excited about the opportunity to chase the Hurricanes’ first-ever Super Rugby Aupiki title. I cannot wait to be a part of it,” Holmes said on a Hurricanes statement.
“I’m also super excited to work under Trigs, I’ve heard nothing but good things and I can already feel his passion for this team and I’m looking forward to seeing where he can help take my game.”
Poua head coach Hayden Triggs is excited to have Holmes in his squad, explaining that it’s a massive step in re-shaping the Hurricanes Poua franchise.
“The club is excited to provide a homecoming of sorts to a Gisborne-born talent in Renee,” Triggs said.
“The more I shared the vision for the club and the team to Renee, the more there was a shared enthusiasm about what the future holds for the Poua.
“Signing Renee is a big step in re-shaping the Poua programme. She is a humble, kind person, a dedicated athlete, a world-class competitor, and is the type of player we want our next Poua players to see and replicate for future squads.
“We are also driven to develop her game and leadership in the club, both on and off the field, to find a new ceiling in her game. As a team and a club, we can’t wait to see Renz in a black-and-yellow jersey uniting and exciting our Hurricanes fans in Super Rugby Aupiki 2026.”
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