Hurricanes lock in rising Canterbury star Jone Rova

The Hurricanes have announced the signing of Canterbury utility back Jone Rova for the next two Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

The news comes as Rova, 22, continues an impressive NPC season with table-topping Canterbury, where he’s featured heavily throughout all eight rounds to date.

The Fijian-born talent’s deal comes after spending last season in the Hurricanes’ wider training group, and the season prior with the Crusaders.

Now, the midfielder is locked and loaded as a full member of the Wellington outfit and will have the opportunity to learn from All Blacks Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor.

“I’m really looking forward to next season with the Hurricanes. Getting the chance to learn and compete alongside some of the best is a pretty cool opportunity,” Rova said.

“After spending some time in the environment this year and seeing what this organisation is all about, I’m really grateful for the chance to be part of it over the next couple of years.”

Having made the move to New Zealand at the age of eight, Rova earned a New Zealand U20 selection in 2022, where he caught the eye of Hurricanes assistants Cory Jane and Brad Cooper.

“CJ knew about Jone through the U20s programme and, as a Taranaki boy, Coops had good prior knowledge of him too,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“Jone’s someone that we felt quite lucky to have in the wider training group, having been with the Crusaders and playing for Canterbury.

“I think we’re starting to see him trust himself around his game. He’s started really well in the NPC, getting good game time at both 12 and 13, and we see him as strong competition for the midfield alongside the boys we’ve already got.

“He had a couple of cameos last season that turned heads a little bit and he trained particularly well through the year, so we look forward to welcoming him into the full squad.”