Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Knee scans reveal the worst for All Blacks hopeful Kini Naholo

Billy Proctor and Kini Naholo of the Hurricanes react during the round six Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on March 30, 2024, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Kini Naholo has ruptured his ACL. The club confirmed the diagnosis on social media Tuesday, confirming the winger will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The rising star went down in the Hurricanes’ round 12 win over the Chiefs, suffering the non-contact injury in just the seventh minute of the game.

Bailyn Sullivan replaced Naholo and went on to score four tries in the win.

Naholo had been one of the form wingers in New Zealand in 2025 after an All Blacks XV selection in 2024 signalled his favour among national selectors.

The younger brother of former All Black Waisake, Kini has provided glimpses of similar game-breaking talent in his three seasons with the Hurricanes and one with the Crusaders.

The power-wing had started 10 games for the Hurricanes on the left edge, scoring a team-high eight tries. He now faces what is typically a nine-month recovery period.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hurricanes (@hurricanesrugby)

With Naholo out of the picture for the remainder of the season, the Hurricanes have a number of prospects to turn to.

ADVERTISEMENT

The aforementioned Sullivan thrived on the right flank in the No. 23 jersey against the Chiefs, and has superb form from earlier rounds where he started at 13.

Former All Blacks Sevens flyer Fehi Fineanganofo has proven to be a superb finisher in his limited minutes during his debut Super Rugby season. Daniel Sinkinson and Kade Banks have seen little game time in 2025 but are sure to put their hands up, also.

The Hurricanes had a bye week in round 13, but were hit by Covid, which spread throughout the squad. They face the Highlanders at home in round 14.

ADVERTISEMENT

Download the RugbyPass app now!

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!

ADVERTISEMENT
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

5 Comments
N
Nickers 34 days ago

Such bad luck, he was was in the middle of a break out season that definitely would have had him in the conversation for the ABs. Hopefully he’s back for the start of next SRP.

J
JH 33 days ago

The story on Stuff is suggesting he’s possibly played his last game in NZ as he’s signed overseas. Probably the French if true, they love raiding all the off-contract players two years out from a World Cup. Every little chink in the depth armour of potential opponents helps.

d
d 34 days ago

agree, lets hope Clarke finds last years form because the last tour showed they are the sort of tackle-busting wings we need, whereas Reece just went nowhere and made mistakes trying to break through.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Downcast Brumbies coach Larkham's final warning for the Chiefs Larkham's final warning for the Chiefs
Search