Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Out-of-favour All Black Vaea Fifita among two key players re-signed by Hurricanes

By Online Editors
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes are excited to announce the re-signing of James Blackwell for the next three seasons of Super Rugby, and Vaea Fifita for 2021.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fifita has been with the team since 2015, when he made his debut against the Blues in Auckland.

Since then, the Tongan-born loose forward and lock has gone on to play 67 games for the Super Rugby franchise, whilst also becoming a stalwart on the provincial scene for the Wellington Lions.

Video Spacer

Jordie Barrett shifts to wing for All Blacks

Video Spacer

Jordie Barrett shifts to wing for All Blacks

The 28-year-old says he feels grateful to be signing on for another year.

“First of all, I want to say thank you to the coaches and management for giving me another opportunity to come back. I love playing for the Hurricanes. They gave me the opportunity back in 2015 and it has become my home.”

Fifita says he’s excited about what 2021 could bring.

“For me, personally I want to help win another championship.”

“I also want to challenge and compete against myself everyday and get better and hopefully get back into the All Blacks environment.”

Fifita’s explosive speed and athleticism has been a major contributor to his success as a player – racking up a tally of 14 tries (70 points) for the Hurricanes in his career to date.

Head coach Jason Holland says he is a massive asset to the team.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Vaea is an explosive athlete with x-factor. He is dangerous with ball in hand and is also a top-class lineout operator.”

Blackwell, meanwhile, has signed on until the end of 2023 and says he’s delighted to extend his contract.

“I am incredibly proud to be part of the Hurricanes and to have the chance to live out a childhood dream and play for the club I grew up watching. The people at the club make it a special place to me and I feel privileged to continue my journey here.”

The 25-year-old lock has played 36 games for the Hurricanes since his debut against the Sunwolves in 2017.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the time since, he’s established himself as a constant on the starting team list due to his high work rate both with ball in hand and defensively. His resilience and reliability saw him start in every Super Rugby Aotearoa match this year.

Holland says it’s those qualities that have turned him into a real leader.

“Blackie has an amazing work ethic and is an example for everybody to follow. He’s absolutely vital to our pack and is possibly one of the most underrated players going around.

“To have Blackie with the Hurricanes until 2023 is extremely pleasing and I look forward to seeing how far he can take his game.”

A born and bred Wellingtonian, Blackwell is currently competing in the Mitre 10 Cup as part of the Lions squad.

It’s a team littered with his Hurricanes teammates and he says it’s a fantastic opportunity to maintain the connections built during the Super Rugby off season.

“It’s really cool to keep up many of the combinations from the Canes with the Lions. It’s also fun to play against some of our boys who are from other provinces.”

And as for his ambitions for the 2021 season – Blackwell is dreaming big like many others in the squad.

“I want to help us win the Super Rugby title.”

– Hurricanes Rugby

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity
Search