Transfer market: Five off-contract value targets for New Zealand Super Rugby teams

With Super Rugby Pacific coming into the last two rounds of competition for 2026, there are many New Zealand players whose contract status for next year has not been announced.

Many players like Devan Flanders (Hurricanes), AJ Lam (Blues), and Dalton Papalii (Blues) have announced they are leaving for 2027 and beyond, ruling them out of a transfer to another New Zealand team.

Here are five players who are coming off contract that remain unknown for 2027 and could benefit from staying in Super Rugby with a new New Zealand team.

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Brett Cameron (Hurricanes, First five-eighth)

It has been a frustrating time for a player who rejuvenated his New Zealand career at the Hurricanes three seasons ago, becoming one of the best playmakers in the country in 2024 and helping the Hurricanes lock up the number one seed before a gut-wrenching semi-final loss at home to the Chiefs.

The 29-year-old has had a horror run with injury the last two seasons, missing his 2025 season and again in 2026 with a serious knee injury.

Now that the Hurricanes have turned to Ruben Love at No.10, it might be time for Cameron to find opportunity elsewhere, of which there are better suitors.

The Blues need a No.10 with Stephen Perofeta leaving, Beauden Barrett’s poor form, and Rico Simpson not ready yet. With Josh Jacomb headed to the Highlanders, the Chiefs could also be a landing spot. The Crusaders are stacked with youth at the position, with Rivez Reihana the oldest at 26, but have Richie Mo’unga returning next year.

Cameron deserves another contract in New Zealand, but the Hurricanes are probably the team that needs him least from next year. They have turned both Ruben Love and Harry Godfrey into options at No.10, while Callum Harkin is another. Godfrey and Harkin are locked in for 2027 while Love has extended to 2028.

The other player coming through the ranks is Will Cole, who has a WTG contract currently that they would want to upgrade.

Best suitors: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders

Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes, Tighthead prop)

The Hurricanes are blessed with the best front rowers in the competition, which has led to one of the best scrums and incredible power up front.

They haven’t even had All Black Tyrel Lomax available much this year, and it hasn’t mattered. Pasilio Tosi and Tevita Mafileo have anchored the tighthead side in his absence. To have this many quality tightheads on the roster is unfair.

28-year-old Mafileo could be a starter week-in, week-out nearly everywhere else in New Zealand, but he’s competing against two other All Blacks in Lomax and Tosi.

Former New Zealand U20 rep Siale Lauaki is seeing a lot more game time in 2026, and he’s locked down until 2027. Tosi is signed to 2028, with Lomax and Mafileo off-contract after this year.

Both the Blues and Highlanders could use Mafileo. The Blues have relied on Marcel Renata; Mafileo is four years younger and would bring his best years to Auckland.

Angus Ta’avao has performed extremely well for the Highlanders at scrum time, but at 37 years old might be hanging them up after the season.

Best suitors: Blues, Highlanders

Johnny Lee (Crusaders, Openside flanker)

The young openside is just 22-years-old but has proven his ability already after just a handful of Super caps for the Crusaders. He looks like a major upgrade on Tom Christie already.

He captained the Crusaders U20 to a title in 2024 and made the New Zealand U20s. He’s currently on a WTG contract for 2026 and likely to be retained by the Crusaders, but the fact that he is not on a full-time squad deal leaves the door open.

The Crusaders made the big splash to sign Oli Mathis away from the Chiefs on a three-year deal until 2028. Now they are obsessed with Leicester Fainga’anuku at No.7, all while Lee is the best openside they currently have.

He would start for the Highlanders tomorrow. The Chiefs could absolutely use a genuine 7; they’ve had to use versatile back rowers like Luke Jacobson.

Lee is the best No.7 prospect with big upside and would be a two birds, one stone signing. The Crusaders would get weaker if they lost him to another franchise.

Best suitors: Highlanders, Chiefs

Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Chiefs, lock)

Ah Kuoi has carved out a successful career in Hamilton with the Chiefs since leaving the capital. The Wellington College alum, who was ranked as the number one high school player in 2017, has 89 Super caps with the Chiefs since 2020.

At 26 years old, Ah Kuoi has plenty more to give, having already represented the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV. But the Chiefs have plenty of riches in the second row, with All Blacks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i signed until 2029 and 2027 respectively.

They have also stacked the roster with their next crop of locks, Aisake Vakasiuola, Fiti Sa, and Jayden Sa. Another young Chiefs prospect, Dylan Eti, was in the New Zealand U20 squad last year.

Ah Kuoi would probably like to stay at the Chiefs, but a hometown reunion actually makes sense. The Hurricanes are flying high right now on the back of the signing of the year, Warner Dearns, but he is only on a one-year stay. Long-time veteran Isaia Walker-Leawere is also departing, heading to Benetton in the URC.

The Hurricanes have a huge need for a lock, and Ah Kuoi is the perfect answer. He’s nearly played 100 Super games, he’s from Wellington originally, and he’s only 26. A multi-year contract would fit well.

If he wants to start and push for the All Blacks, the Hurricanes is the place to do it.

Best suitors: Hurricanes

Daniel Rona (Chiefs, centre)

Rona signed a three-year contract back in 2024 to stay with the Chiefs after bursting onto the scene straight off the building site. He quickly proved himself capable at Super Rugby level and locked down a deal.

The 26-year-old is set to hit the market if the Chiefs fail to reach a new agreement. He’s got 43 Super caps, is a Maori All Black, and an All Black XV rep.

The Chiefs midfield looks crowded next season with the return of Anton Lienert-Brown. The veteran All Black will start when healthy, while Quinn Tupaea has become a must-start All Black as well.

Waiting in the wings are 23-year-old Kyle Brown and 24-year-old Reon Paul, both centres who came through the Hurricanes’ region. Ex-Wallaby Lalakai Foketi is also off-contract, who unfortunately suffered a long-term injury early into his one-year deal.

The team in most need of midfielders for next season is the Crusaders, who will bid goodbye to All Blacks Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor. Their plan is surely to give utility Chay Fihaki a shot in the midfield, but they could still use a genuine starter like Rona, who has actually played 13 regularly at this level.

The Crusaders also have Aki Tuivailala, a 21-year-old strike centre from Hamilton, but has been sidelined all year with injury.

Rona is a reliable option amongst a very green stable of midfielders. The Crusaders currently have young prospects or players making a position switch, with no proven options.

Best suitors: Crusaders