Clark Laidlaw reveals thinking behind Barrett–Love backline roles

Just under a week ago the Super Rugby Pacific clubs named their squads for the 2026 season, ahead of pre-season in the coming months before the season starts in February.

The New Zealand sides also named wider squad players, which included 12 players who will train with the full squads throughout the season, but aren’t contracted as full time players.

One of the Kiwi teams, the Hurricanes, welcomed back All Black midfielder Jordie Barrett into their squad, as well as adding the impressive 23-year-old Japan lock Warner Dearns to their locking stocks.

Clark Laidlaw, who is in his third year as head coach of the Hurricanes, understands that there will be discussions around where Brett Cameron and the likes of Ruben Love fit into one backline, with players being able to play multiple positions.

“Yeah we’re probably having similar conversations to be fair, internally, Brett Cameron had an injury, and we started to see Ruben last year as a No.10,” Laidlaw told Millsy and Guy on Sport Nation last week. 

“Ruben came back and we thought he played particularly well and then with Brett coming back, we dovetailed with most parties as a second choice fullback. So playing Ruben and Brett at the same time last year had a lot of benefits.”

The Scotland born head coach explains that if they can get impressive young midfielder Riley Higgins back from injury, the positions of other players could change.

“If Riley Higgins is fit and healthy, will Jordie Barrett play at 15? There’s definitely that potential.

“But I think one thing I’ve learned over the last couple of years is having players that can genuinely play different positions, I don’t think most conversations are forcing players or making do, they can definitely play there. 

“Jordie can definitely play well at full back and No.12, when you watch him play for Leinster, he obviously played really well at 15, at times,” Laidlaw told Sport Nation. 

“So yeah, definitely the discussions with the All Blacks coming back later in preseason, it often gives your other players a head start in the year with a group that’s been there, might be how you start, but who knows how you finish.”

Laidlaw, who says he’s excited to get the 30-Test Japanese International into the squad, explains that the transition for Dearns should be easy enough coming into Wellington.

“Yeah he’s got a real change of speed around the field. He’s got the ability to keep the ball up when he carries it when you watch him play for Japan in particular, he’s got a huge work rate in those games the last couple of weeks. 

“So yeah, we were excited to add him to the group, as you say, it’s not traditional for us to have a whole heap of strength and depth at lock.

“Losing Zach Gallagher up to Japan was disappointing, but to replace him with Warner, yeah, we’d like to think he’s going to add something and obviously the family connection to the Hurricane region. 

“His mum lives in the Wairarapa Bush, his sister works in Wellington. So you know, the transition for him and spending time closer to his family will be a good one hopefully.”