Tyrel Lomax back on injury list as Hurricanes name team for Blues bout

The Hurricanes host the biggest matchup of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season to date this weekend, and there’s some unfortunate news on the injury front that headlines the club’s team naming.

Tyrel Lomax has been given a seven-week recovery timeline for the ankle injury he picked up ahead of last week’s Reds matchup, adding to the horrid run of injuries the All Blacks prop has contended with over the past year. The 29-year-old managed just four appearances for the All Blacks in 2025 and has just one showing off the bench to his name in 2026.

Outside of that, the ladder-leading Canes are looking strong for their biggest test yet, with eight All Blacks in the starting XV.

Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi have been named in the starting front row, with Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns holding down the second row. A loose forward trio of Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai is sure to keep the Blues on their toes around the ruck.

Cam Roigard and Ruben Love will continue their partnership as the starting halves duo, feeding Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor in the midfield. Super Rugby’s joint-leading try-scorer Fehi Fineanganofo will line up on the left wing, with Josh Moorby on the right and Callum Harkin back from a concussion-enforced break at fullback.

“We’re refreshed and re-energised from the bye, so we’re really looking forward to playing at home against a top side in the Blues. It’s a good challenge at this time of the year to get into another Kiwi derby,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“We’ve picked a really settled team for the most part. We’ve got a couple of injuries from the last game, but we feel our cohesion and combinations can get us a performance we’re after.

“We’re certainly well aware of the challenge the Blues are going to come with, so we’re probably going to have to play our best rugby of the year to get the result.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

52 - 14

7 - 50

31 - 23

19 - 59

25 - 20

40 - 15

20 - 35

43 - 7

29 - 13

30 - 27

4

Wins

4

4

Streak

4

33

Tries Scored

26

124

Points Difference

89

2/5

First Try

4/5

1/5

First Points

3/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Hurricanes team to play the Blues

1. Xavier Numia (82)
2. Asafo Aumua (81)
3. Pasilio Tosi (43)
4. Caleb Delany (44)
5. Warner Dearns (6)
6. Devan Flanders (62)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (97) – co-captain
8. Peter Lakai (42)
9. Cam Roigard (53)
10. Ruben Love (46)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (18)
12. Jordie Barrett (117) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (73)
14. Josh Moorby (44)
15. Callum Harkin (15)

Reserves

16. Raymond Tuputupu (17)
17. Siale Lauaki (9)
18. Tevita Mafileo (62)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (83)
20. Brad Shields (133)
21. Brayden Iose (57)
22. Ereatara Enari (17)
23. Jone Rova (5)

Injury list

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 7 weeks
Hugo Plummer (ankle): 3 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 4-6 weeks
Matolu Petaia (leg): 2 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 2-4 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Ngane Punivai (hamstring): 2-3 weeks
Bailyn Sullivan (leg): 4-5 weeks
Kini Naholo (foot): 2-3 weeks