1
Ireland issue statement in response to Bundee Aki allegations
13
{{item.n}}
Hurricanes name 39-player matchday squad for Blues preseason game
By Ned Lester
The Hurricanes have named their first starting XV of 2026, and a 24-strong bench for Friday’s preseason tussle with the Blues in Auckland.
The Wellington outfit will be captained by Jacob Devery, who is joined in the front row by uncapped All Black Tevita Mafileo and Newcastle Red Bulls-bound Pouri Rakete-Stones. The established front row is joined by a youthful and inexperienced back five, with Taine Roiri and Hugo Plummer in the second row and Matolu Petaia, Cooper Flanders and Arese Poliko the loose forwards.
Manawatu pairing Jordi Viljoen and Brett Cameron make up the starting halves partnership, with Jone Rova and Bailyn Sullivan coming off strong 2025 campaigns, respectively, in the midfield.
VIDEO
Another Newcastle-bound Hurricane is to start on the left edge, with Fehi Fineanganofo joined by Taniela Filimone on the right wing. Callum Harkin completes the back three at fullback.
Japan captain Warner Dearns headlines the reserve unit, which also features 2025 All Blacks XV selectees Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, and Devan Flanders. Flanders will take over captaincy duties once Devery is substituted.
“We’ve had a big pre-season, so we’re keen to get into some rugby, and we feel like the team is ready to play some live rugby against a good Blues side,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“We’ve enjoyed the pre-season and the integration of new players and welcoming back our All Blacks this week. The boys who have been here since the end of November and have put the work in get a real opportunity to see if they can do it under game pressure over the next two weeks.
“It’s an important part of the pre-season that we head into now, leading up to our season-opener against Moana Pasifika.”
HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY BLUES
1. Pouri Rakete-Stones
2. Jacob Devery (c)
3. Tevita Mafileo
4. Taine Roiri
5. Hugo Plummer
6. Matolu Petaia
7. Cooper Flanders
8. Arese Poliko
9. Jordi Viljoen
10. Brett Cameron
11. Fehi Fineanganofo
12. Jone Rova
13. Bailyn Sullivan
14. Taniela Filimone
15. Callum Harkin
Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason, Xavier Numia, Tony Tafa, Siale Lauaki, Logan Wallace, Warner Dearns, Johnny Falloon, Sam Thomson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders (c), Brad Shields, Mosese Bason, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jai Tamati, Lucas Cashmore, Josh Gray, Riley Higgins, Josh Timu, Josh Moorby, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Will Cole, Drew Wild
Watch all the upcoming SVNS action for FREE on RPTV!
*Available live in select territories
