Hurricanes hold onto 6'4, 125kg rookie Siale Lauaki

The Hurricanes have confirmed that they have held onto 22-year-old prop Siale Lauaki after he extended his contract through until the end of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Lauaki has made four appearances for the Hurricanes to date. The powerfully built 6’4, 125kg prop scored his first try on debut against the Fijian Drua in Suva.

The Wellington-born forward came into Super Rugby in 2024 and can play on both sides of the scrum and now forms part of a front-row unit that includes All Blacks Tyrel Lomax and Pasilio Tosi, squad member Tevita Mafileo, All Blacks XV representative Xavier Numia, and M?ori All Black Pouri Rakete-Stones.

“This is home for me. To re-sign and be here for a couple more years is a dream come true,” Lauaki said.

“I am really grateful to be part of such a great club with a strong culture, and where I feel like I belong. Being in this environment provides me with a great opportunity to continue my development alongside world-class props and players who I can keep learning from.”

A product of St Patrick’s College, Lauaki represented the Hurricanes U18 and New Zealand Schools in 2020 and 2021. He was later named College Sport Wellington Sportsman of the Year. That led to Hurricanes U20 and New Zealand U20 honours, with a run at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

At provincial level he made his debut for Wellington in 2022. Since then he has amassed 32 caps and three tries, contributing to NPC titles in 2022 and 2024 as well as the Ranfurly Shield win.

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said the prop’s ceiling was clear.

“Siale’s a local boy who’s come through the Wellington, Hurricanes, and national age-grade systems, and we feel like he’s got a massive ceiling.

“He’s been able to learn his trade behind Tyrel and Pasi, and alongside Tevita and Xavier, so he’s got a great opportunity to learn off some of the best props in the competition.

“We look forward to him maturing and continuing to grow his professionalism and his experience.”