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Life with Beauden starts for fresh-look Hurricanes squad
Highly rated prop Tyrel Lomax and lock Scott Scrafton are two big additions to the Hurricanes squad for the 2020 Investec Super Rugby season.
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One test All Black Lomax has moved to the club on a four-year deal as he looks to become the cornerstone of the Hurricanes scrum while Scrafton will add to his two-metre frame to the tight five.
“We think Tyrel and Scott are going to be great assets for us and really compliment a forward pack that will work really hard to achieve what we want,” Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree said.
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The 2020 squad also includes 27-year-old South African Kobus van Wyk, who can play in the midfield or on the wing, and has plenty of Super Rugby experience having previously played for the Stormers and Sharks.
“He’s a big, strong player who will add plenty to our squad on attack and defence and we’re confident he will fit in really well with the group we have selected,” Plumtree added.
“I think we have assembled one of the most exciting and dynamic backlines in the competition and one our fans will be looking forward to see in action.”
As well as van Wyk, Plumtree has added a further seven new players to the Hurricanes squad.
Hawke’s Bay prop Pouri Rakete-Stones has been included and replaces Toby Smith along with young loose forward Devan Flanders who is joined by provincial team-mate Danny Toala who has already represented the Hurricanes after making his debut against the Blues in 2019.
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Counties Manukau halfback Jonathan Taumateine comes to the Hurricanes via the Chiefs and is joined by Jamie Booth who spent the 2019 Super Rugby season with the Sunwolves after previously representing the club.
The Hurricanes did not sign a high-profile first five to replace All Blacks‘ star Beauden Barrett who signed with the Blues. James Marshall, who returned to the club last year but was sidelined for most of the season, joins Jackson Garden-Bachop and Fletcher Smith.
The midfield presents one of the strongest areas for the Hurricanes with the presence of Ngani Laumape and young talents in Peter Umaga-Jensen, Danny Toala and Billy Proctor. Proctor fills the shoes of his older brother in the squad who departed for the Northampton Saints this year. Utility Jordie Barrett has also spent considerable time in midfield when required for the club.
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Plumtree was thrilled with the depth of the squad as he looked to improve on the semi-final appearance the previous season.
There is plenty of experience to call on with Dane Coles, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, James Marshall, Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso former Super Rugby champions with the Hurricanes.
“We have got a large number of players who have performed really well for us in recent seasons and a number of them have been in excellent form for the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup,” he said.
“All the players we have brought in will add an extra dimension to the squad next season and it’s going to be great to get everyone together when we get back to work.”
2020 Hurricanes squad is:
Backs (17):
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett (Taranaki), Ben Lam (Wellington), Jonah Lowe (Hawke’s Bay), Kobus van Wyk*, Vince Aso (Wellington), Wes Goosen (Wellington), Chase Tiatia (Bay of Plenty)
Midfield backs: Ngani Laumape (Manawatu), Billy Proctor (Wellington), Danny Toala (Hawke’s Bay)*, Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington).
First fives: Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington), Fletcher Smith (Waikato), James Marshall.
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara (Wellington), Jonathan Taumateine (Counties Manukau), Jamie Booth (Manawatu).
Forwards (21)
Loose forwards: Gareth Evans (Hawke’s Bay), Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Wellington), Reed Prinsep (Canterbury), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Devan Flanders (Hawke’s Bay)*, Murphy Taramai (North Harbour)*.
Locks: James Blackwell (Wellington), Liam Mitchell (Manawatu), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington), Scott Scrafton (Auckland)*, Kane Leaupepe (Bay of Plenty).
Props: Fraser Armstrong (Manawatu), Alex Fidow (Wellington), Ben May (Hawke’s Bay), Xavier Numia (Wellington), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke’s Bay)*, Tyrel Lomax (Tasman)*.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Dane Coles (Wellington), Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki).
New Hurricanes’ signings
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Age: 22
Province: Hawke’s Bay
A player who is adept to cover loosehead and tighthead prop, Rakete-Stones has been in excellent form for Hawke’s Bay in the Mitre 10 Cup. The former world champion New Zealand Under-20 representative, Rakete-Stones made his provincial debut in 2018, starting eight of Hawke’s Bay matches. A strong scrummager, he has also shown to be a strong ball carrier.
Tyrel Lomax
Age: 23
Province: Tasman
Rising young All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax signed a four-year deal with the Hurricanes through until at least 2023. Lomax, who has strong ties to Wellington with extended family living in Wainuiomata, will join the Hurricanes ahead of the 2020 Investec Super Rugby competition. After making his Super Rugby debut for the Melbourne Rebels in 2017, the 23-year-old joined Tasman in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup and quickly established himself as first-choice tighthead which earned selection in the Highlanders Super Rugby squad in 2018. He was selected in the All Blacks in November, 2018 where he made his debut against Japan after a number of strong performances in Super Rugby.
Scott Scrafton
Age: 26
Province: Auckland
A former New Zealand Schools and Under-20 representative, Scrafton made his provincial debut for Auckland in 2014 before being named in the Blues for the 2016 season when he made his debut against the Waratahs. The 2-metre second-rower impressed with his development over the next two seasons and looked on track to become a regular fixture in 2018 before a serious knee injury left him sidelined for close to 12 months. He returned to the starting line-up in May for the Blues and impressed with his performances. His good form continued with Auckland in the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup when he helped the side into the semi-finals.
Devan Flanders
Age: 20
Province: Hawke’s Bay
Flanders was a member of the Hastings Boys’ High School first XV which won the national title in 2017. He went on to be awarded the Jerry Collins Bronze Boot for his performances for the New Zealand Schools team the same year. The loose forward was also a member of the New Zealand Under 20 in 2018 and made his provincial debut for Hawke’s Bay.
Jonathan Taumateine
Age: 23
Province: Counties Manukau
Taumateine has taken the opportunity to move south after previously representing the Chiefs. The former Samoa and New Zealand Under-20 representative has impressed in recent seasons with Counties Manukau. His strong passing game is complimented by his ability with ball in hand.
Danny Toala
Age: 20
Province: Hawke’s Bay
Toala made his Hurricanes debut against the Blues in 2019 after earlier in the season being named in the reserves against the Stormers without making it on to the field. Toala has impressed with the Hurricanes Hunters, scoring a hat trick of tries against the Blues Development side.
Kobus van Wyk
Age: 27
A powerful utility back who can cover the midfield as well as the wing, van Wyk will head to Wellington after featuring for the Sharks for the last three Super Rugby seasons. The former South Africa Under 20 representative has also played for the Stormers while he had a short stint in the French Top 14 competition with Bordeaux.
Murphy Taramai
Age: 27
Province: North Harbour
North Harbour loose forward Murphy Taramai will be returning home to Wellington after he signed with the Hurricanes for the 2020 Investec Super Rugby season. The 27-year-old grew up in the capital and attended Upper Hutt College where his sporting prowess was widely recognised. He shifted across the Tasman to take up a contract with the Penrith Panthers but returned to New Zealand where he played for Wellington before shifting to play for North Harbour.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments