Finn Hurley the latest Highlanders pre-season casualty

Having threatened to break out in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season before a quadriceps injury ended his campaign, Finn Hurley is now back on the injury list for the Highlanders.

The 22-year-old speedster was turning heads in his three games early last season, with a start at fullback against the Blues in particular generating plenty of hype thanks to two superbly taken tries.

A return to action for a title-hungry Otago team in the 2025 NPC got the Dunedin faithful off their seats once again, albeit for just two showings off the bench in the semi-final and final.

But fans will have to wait an estimated six to eight weeks to see Hurley back in Highlanders colours, with a foot sprain to blame for the setback.

Hurley’s outside back position is hardly an area of fragility for the Southerners, with All Blacks XV weapons Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Caleb Tangitau joined by established talents Jona Nareki and Jonah Lowe, as well as new, fresh-faced recruits Stanley Solomon and Xavier Tito-Harris for the 2026 season. Former All Blacks Sevens veteran Andrew Knewstubb is also an option at fullback.

Just who will be responsible for selecting the starting backfield on a weekly basis is seemingly uncertain, with Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph currently viewed as the frontrunner to take over the All Blacks head coach role.

Former Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody stepped down to an assistant coach role when Joseph returned from coaching the Japan national team, and remains in that role as it stands.

Whoever is leading the charge for the Highlanders in 2026, they’ll be doing so without two of their brightest young stars, with Hurley joining an injury ward that already houses one of New Zealand’s most hyped young prospects, halfback Dylan Pledger.

The New Zealand U20 graduate quickly earned the No.9 jersey for Otago last year and was an influential figure in the team’s return to the NPC’s big dance, generating real All Blacks XV buzz along the way. The youngster’s form placed him as perhaps the most discussed omission from Jamie Joseph’s All Blacks XV squad announcement, despite having yet to play a single game of Super Rugby.