The Hurricanes (who were formally known as the Wellington Hurricanes) represent the lower North Island of New Zealand in Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa. Despite a relatively poor start to the competition, they won their first title in 2016 and now they regularly qualify for Super Rugby’s knockout phases.
Read on to discover even more about the Hurricanes Rugby team. On this page you’ll find a detailed history of the team as well as information on their squad and a review of their recent results.
It looks like Ardie Savea has shut the door on representing Samoa despite recent changes to World Rugby's regulations which would allow the 59-test All Black to switch allegiances after a three-year stand-down period.
Ardie Savea has only recommitted to the Hurricanes for two years, opening up the possibility for a move to Moana Pasifika midway through his new deal with NZR.
The Hurricanes (who were formally known as the Wellington Hurricanes) represent the lower North Island of New Zealand in Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa. Despite a relatively poor start to the competition, they won their first title in 2016 and now they regularly qualify for Super Rugby’s knockout phases.
Read on to discover even more about the Hurricanes Rugby team. On this page you’ll find a detailed history of the team as well as information on their squad and a review of their recent results.
Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Aotearoa 
Super Rugby Trans Tasman Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Trans Tasman | Round 7 | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | BP T | BP -7 | BP | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-  Sharks | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 213 | 153 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
-  Crusaders | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 189 | 105 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
-  Brumbies | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 115 | 93 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
-  Blues | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 134 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
-  Chiefs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 194 | 128 | 66 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
-  Stormers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 94 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Jaguares | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 169 | 135 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
-  Hurricanes | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 168 | 135 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Rebels | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 166 | 160 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
-  Reds | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 219 | 176 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
-  Highlanders | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 91 | 163 | -72 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
-  Bulls | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 152 | -37 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
-  Waratahs | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 214 | -110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
-  Lions | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 109 | 200 | -91 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
-  Sunwolves | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 101 | 292 | -191 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Round 7 |
|---|
| - Sharks |
| - Crusaders |
| - Brumbies |
| - Blues |
| - Chiefs |
| - Stormers |
| - Jaguares |
| - Hurricanes |
| - Rebels |
| - Reds |
| - Highlanders |
| - Bulls |
| - Waratahs |
| - Lions |
| - Sunwolves |
The Hurricanes Rugby side was formed in 1996 when the Super Rugby tournament (then known as Super 12) began. Although big things were expected of the newly-formed side, they struggled in the tournament’s early days. Although they reached the semi-finals of the competition in 1997, they failed to reach the same stage of the competition again for several years and regularly finished in the bottom half of the standings.
However, a change of coach and captain for the 2003 season brought a change of fortune for the Hurricanes Rugby team. They immediately reached the semi-finals of the competition again. In addition to their 2003 semi-final appearance, they also reached this stage of the competition in 2005, 2008 and 2009. In 2006, the team went one stage better and reached the final. However, they fell to the Crusaders.
It would be several more years before the Hurricanes Rugby side reached the final of the competition again. When they finally did in 2015, they also finished top of the table in the regular season and captured the New Zealand conference trophy. However, they were once again beaten in the final and several of their top stars retired.
Thankfully, the Hurricanes Rugby side didn’t have to wait long for their first triumph. The next season they once again finished top of the table and captured the New Zealand conference. This time though, they comfortably beat the Lions in the final to lift the title for the first and only time in the team’s history.
The team haven’t returned to the final since this triumph, but they have reached the semi-finals on several occasions and remain hugely competitive.
Alex Fidow Prop 
Ardie Savea Flanker 7 
Asafo Aumua Hooker 
Ben May Prop 
Brayden Iose Number 8 
Dane Coles Hooker 
Devan Flanders Lock 
Du'Plessis Kirifi Flanker 7 
Fraser Armstrong Prop 
Gareth Evans Number 8 
Isaia Walker-Leawere Lock 
James Blackwell Lock 
James O'Reilly Hooker 
Kane Leaupepe Lock 
Liam Mitchell Lock 
Murphy Taramai Flanker 6 
Pouri Rakete-Stones Prop 
Reed Prinsep Flanker 7 
Ricky Riccitelli Hooker 
Scott Scrafton Lock 
Tevita Mafileo Prop 
Tyrel Lomax Prop 
Vaea Fifita Lock 
Xavier Numia Prop 
Zane Kapeli Flanker 7 
Billy Proctor Centre 
Caleb Delaney 
Cameron Roigard 
Danny Toala Fly half 
Fletcher Smith Fly half 
Jackson Garden-Bachop Fly half 
James Marshall Fly half 
Jamie Booth Scrum half 
Jonathan Taumateine Scrum half 
Jordie Barrett Fullback 
Julian Savea Left Wing 
Lolagi Visinia Fullback 
Luke Campbell Scrum half 
Ngani Laumape Centre 
Orbyn Leger Centre 
Pepesana Patafilo Centre 
Peter Umaga-Jensen Centre 
Ruben Love 
Salesi Rayasi Wing 
TJ Perenara Scrum half 
Tyrone Thompson 
Vince Aso Centre 
Wes Goosen Centre Due to the team’s relative success in recent years, a whopping 65 former international players have featured for the Hurricanes Rugby team, including Ma'a Nonu, who was capped more than 100 times for New Zealand. However, the team’s most famous player of all time remains Jonah Lomu, who played for the Hurricanes 29 times between 2000 and 2003.
The current Hurricanes Rugby squad is as strong as ever though and it features 11 international players like All Blacks legend Dane Coles. Other stars include Julian Savea and Ardie Savea, who have both been capped more than 50 times by the New Zealand international team.
