Harry Godfrey set for long-awaited return after missing Super Rugby season

Harry Godfrey may have missed the entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Hurricanes due to an ACL injury, but the promising playmaker will get the chance to play at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium this weekend for Hawke’s Bay. 

Godfrey sustained the significant injury during a training session with the Magpies last year, which saw the first five-eighth miss the entire title-winning campaign with the Hurricanes. But the 23-year-old is now set for a return, 330 days since last taking the field.

Hawke’s Bay have named a strong side to tackle Wellington in the opening round of New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship, with Godfrey a headline-grabbing inclusion in the starting side, named as the No. 10. 

Frank Lochore captains a Hawke’s Bay side that includes Godrey, who is now set to play a professional match for the first time since September 6, 2025. That last appearance was also against the Lions, but the Magpies claimed a clinical 45-19 win at McLean Park that night. 

“It’s hugely disappointing for us and Harry to get a serious injury in the NPC and take him out of contention for the Super Rugby Pacific season ahead,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said in a statement last October. 

“It was pretty obvious last year that Harry was stepping up to become a real valued member of the squad. The way he was playing in the NPC this year, I think you could see that maturity was starting to come. 

“We will support him post-operation at the end of the month. I’m sure he’ll be back bigger and better and stronger. We have a good track record here of players returning well from injury, so our medical crew and strength and conditioning team will get to work through November and help with Harry’s recovery.” 

Former All Blacks halfback Folau Fakatava will link up with Godfrey in the halves, with those two looking to provide quick ball to an electric backline. Lukas Ripley and Bailyn Sullivan combine in the centres, while Neria Fomai and Jonah Lowe start on the wings, and Will Cole lines up at fullback. 

In the forwards, Clement Castets will pack down alongside Tyrone Thompson and Joe Apikotoa up front. Tom Allen and Hunter Morrison round out the tight five as the two starting locks, with the likes of Geoff Cridge providing cover off the bench. 

Lochore leads the side from blindside flanker, with Cooper Flanders taking his place on the other side of the scrum. No. 8 Tiaki Fabish completes the starting pack, taking his place in a formidable loose forwards trio. 

Du’Plessis Kirifi has been selected in the Wellington side at openside flanker, after missing out on All Blacks selection for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Caleb Delany captains the side, with this match set to get underway at 5:05 pm NZT on Sunday. 

Wellington and Hawke’s Bay teams for NPC round one 

Wellington Lions: Jake Turnbull, James O’Reilly, Samuela Tawake, Caleb Delany (c), Hugo Plummer, Dominic Ropeti, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Matolu Petaia, Logan Henry, Callum Harkin, Reo Matsushita, Divad Palu, Jackson Ropata, Losi Filipo, Cameron Burgess.

Replacements: Penieli Poasa, Geordie Bean, Alex Hewitt, Kenkichi Yanagawa, Sione Halalilo, Murphy Taramai, Riley Williams, Piri Paraone.

Hawke’s Bay Magpies: Clement Castets, Tyrone Thompson, Joe Apikotoa, Tom Allen, Hunter Morrison, Frank Lochore (c), Cooper Flanders, Tiaki Fabish, Folau Fakatava, Harry Godfrey, Neria Fomai, Lukas Ripley, Bailyn Sullivan, Jonah Lowe, Will Cole.

Replacements: Kianu Kereru-Symes, Hadlee Hay-Horton, Lolani Faleiva, Geoff Cridge, Sam Smith, Kade Manuel, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Nic Benn.