Hurricanes secure 'ever improving' All Black prop until 2029

The Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby have secured the long-term services of new All Black prop Siale Lauaki.

Lauaki has signed a deal until the end of the 2029 Super Rugby Pacific season, keeping him in New Zealand for the 2029 British and Irish Lions tour.

Lauaki was named in the All Blacks‘ 44-man squad to tour South Africa and featured on three occasions during the midweek matches. The prop made his All Blacks tour debut against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The former New Zealand U20 prop is known for his versatility, and clearly impressed All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and scrum coach Jason Ryan throughout his short stint in the National team environment.

It provides Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw with consistency in the front row, adding to his impressive All Blacks contingent of props including Pasilio Tosi, Tyrel Lomax and Xavier Numia.

Lauaki made his Hurricanes debut in 2024 against the Fijian Drua, and had previously won two national titles with Wellington.

“It’s obviously huge news for us and for him,” Laidlaw said.

“He’s a player who has developed extremely well here over the past few years through the work he’s been doing with our coaches.”

Laidlaw, who has seen Lauaki develop over the course of the past three seasons, said that the 23-year-old continues to develop in whatever team he’s representing.

“The maturity of being able to play both sides of the scrum at such a young age in Super Rugby, and then to be selected for the All Blacks on their tour of South Africa, is something he’ll be hugely proud of.

“He’ll continue to be highly motivated to try and make All Blacks moving forward, and it’s great to have consistency in the front row, which is a strong area of our team.

“Siale’s an amazing player with a great skill set, loves defending, and is ever improving in the set piece. It’s excellent news for us that he’s committed long-term and we look forward to his continued growth as a Hurricane.”

Lauaki said he’s excited to develop at a club that handed him his Super Rugby Pacific debut and has continued to back him.

“I’m grateful to be with this club and to be part of the Hurricanes family,” Lauaki said.

“The club has given me so many opportunities and I’m looking forward to doing my best to make the most of this latest opportunity over the next few years.”