Hurricanes lose Love and Roigard, gain Naholo for Moana Pasifika battle

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has rotated his squad for this weekend’s date with Moana Pasifika, with some changes enforced and others voluntary.

Both Cam Roigard and Ruben Love have been ruled out for the match with short-term injuries, with Love expected back in one week while Roigard faces a sideline stint of 3-4 weeks. Jordie Barrett, Peter Lakai and Warner Dearns appear to have been rested for the game.

The good news is that Kini Naholo is set to return to the field for the first time in nearly one year on the nose, having recovered from an ACL tear and a further heel injury that have kept him sidelined since round 12 of the 2026 Super Rugby season.

The other big changes in this week’s matchday squad include Vernon Bason’s first start at hooker, Brad Shields returning to the run-on team, Lucas Cashmore earning his fourth cap, Jone Rova starting at 12, and Jordi Viljoen coming into the No.21 jersey.

“Having picked up a few injuries in the Crusaders game, it’s an opportunity for the squad to use its depth, and we expect the boys who are coming in to play well,” Laidlaw said.

“It’s exciting to welcome a few guys back. The inclusion of Kini is super exciting. He’s done an unreal job with his ACL recovery.

“It was a little bit tricky, after he’d done such a good job recovering from his ACL, to pick up a different injury, but it’s never a straight line back from big injuries.

“He’s been training particularly well for the past month, and he’s managed to get two full club games under his belt and he’s itching to get started, so we’re really looking forward to getting him on the field.”

Laidlaw said his side wouldn’t underestimate their opposition, who have announced they are unlikely to ontinue in Super Rugby Pacific next season.

“We’ve got real empathy for the situation that Moana Pasifika are in. It’s really difficult for all their people to potentially not be in the competition next year, so we understand what sort of game we’re walking into,” he said.

“They were really physical against the Blues last week and we thought they played well, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough night but it’s one that we’re really looking forward to.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

21

46

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

Hurricanes team to play Moana Pasifika

1. Pouri Rakete-Stones (56)
2. Vernon Bason (2)
3. Pasilio Tosi (47)
4. Caleb Delany (48)
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere (86)
6. Brad Shields (137)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (101) – captain
8. Brayden Iose (61)
9. Ereatara Enari (21)
10. Lucas Cashmore (3)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (22)
12. Jone Rova (9)
13. Billy Proctor (77)
14. Josh Moorby (48)
15. Callum Harkin (19)

Reserves

16. Asafo Aumua (85)
17. Xavier Numia (86)
18. Siale Lauaki (12)
19. Hugo Plummer (11)
20. Devan Flanders (66)
21. Jordi Viljoen (6)
22. Bailyn Sullivan (46)
23. Kini Naholo (32)

Injury list

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 3 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 2 weeks
Cam Roigard (calf): 3-4 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Ruben Love (ankle): 1 week
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
Josh Timu (ankle): 2 weeks