‘Losing some leaders’: Hurricanes CEO on departure of ‘three legends’

CEO Avan Lee is confident the Hurricanes will “be just fine” on the field this season despite the departure of club greats TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett. Lee called on Ruben Love by name to help the squad maintain high standards during Super Rugby Pacific this year.

Perenara bid farewell to New Zealand rugby last year after signing a multi-season deal in Japan Rugby League One. The scrumhalf had surpassed Julian Savea as the top try-scorer in Super Rugby history earlier in 2024, and later completed a memorable return to the All Blacks.

Fans in Wellington gave Perenara a heroes send off at Sky Stadium as the Test veteran suited up for the All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup triumph over the Wallabies. It was a fairytale finish for the legendary No. 9 in NZ, but it’d be tough for any team to replace a player of his calibre.

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The Hurricanes will also look to fill the void left behind by Moana Pasifika recruit Savea, and also Barrett who’s opted to take a sabbatical this season with United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup powerhouse Leinster.

But with players like Cam Roigard and Riley Higgins raring to go, and backrowers like Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brayden Iose eager to make their mark, Lee acknowledged the “three legends of the club” who’ve left before insisting the Hurricanes will be okay this season.

“We’re supportive of the decisions that have been made,” Lee said on Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.

“Ardie was a little bit different. Jordie wanted to go away – I think the All Black coaches wanted him to go to Japan and he was very keen to test himself and he’s gone to probably the best club in the world.

“In terms of internally, we’ve got a lot of leaders. On the field, we’ll be just fine. We’ve got really good loose forwards, I think everyone was talking about them last year. Cam Roigard, clearly at nine. Riley Higgins is a real up-and-comer, All Blacks XV last year, and Peter Umaga-Jensen.

“We’re confident on the field. Naturally, you’re losing some leaders and TJ is probably the most relentless trainer and player and person that has ever been at the Hurricanes. Guys like Ruben Love will have to pick up the mantle there and drive the standards.”

The Hurricanes were the team to beat for a lot of last season, with the men from the capital finishing first on the ladder at the end of the regular season. But with Wallace Sititi stealing the show for the Chiefs in a semi-final upset at the Cake Tin, the Canes’ season came to an end.

But that’s in the past now. With younger players ready to seize their opportunity at Super Rugby level, the Hurricanes will have their sights set on a blockbuster showdown to open the new season against the Crusaders in Christchurch on February 14.

Super Rugby Pacific will look a bit different this time around without the Melbourne Rebels. With 11 teams battling it out for glory, only the top six teams will make the playoffs as opposed to the top eight in years gone by.

Across the ditch, the Waratahs are a team to watch after recruiting multiple Wallabies ahead of the new season and having Dan McKellar take on the head coach role. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Taniela Tupou, Darby Lancaster, and Isaac Kailea are among the new signings.

As Lee discussed, “that’s the most positive thing” about the new season.

“One of the real plusses of 2025 is the Australian teams,” Lee explained. “Everyone wants a competitive competition. No one really wants 40 points to 11, they want a game where there is jeopardy – you turn up on the day and you’re like, ‘I don’t really know how this is going to go.’

“You look at the Waratahs squad now with (Andrew) Kellaway, (Joseph-Aukuso) Suaalii, I think they’ve got 15 Wallabies in their squad now so clearly they are going to be a much sterner test for the New Zealand teams going forward.

“I think that’s the most positive thing about 2025 for me.”