Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)
Encyclopedia
The Hurricanes are a New Zealand
professional Rugby union
team based in Wellington
that competes in the Super Rugby competition. The franchise represents the East Coast
, Hawke's Bay
, Horowhenua Kapiti
, Manawatu
, Poverty Bay
, Taranaki
, Wairarapa-Bush
, Wanganui
and Wellington
provincial Rugby unions, and currently plays at Westpac Stadium
, having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park
.
The franchise was formed to represent the lower North Island
with the conception of the Super 12 tournament in 1996, which featured teams from New Zealand
, South Africa
and Australia
. The Hurricanes had a poor first season, but rebounded in 1997 with a third placing. The team did not reach the play-offs for another five years as the team struggled in the bottom four of the table. Since 2003 the Hurricanes have made the post-season play-offs five times out of the last eight seasons; including the 2006 final, which they lost in horrendously foggy weather against the Crusaders 19-12.
. Its catchment area of 920,000 people is the largest in New Zealand. The teams first coach was former All Black Frank Oliver while Mark "Bull" Allen was named as captain.
Their first match, played at Palmerston North Showgrounds
against the Auckland Blues, was the first ever Super Rugby match. They lost it 36-28. The team performed below expectations in the inaugural year of the competition and finished ninth. In 1997 the team made the semi-finals, losing in Canberra
to the ACT Brumbies. However the consistent form shown during this season would not be seen again for many years.
stars Tana Umaga
and Christian Cullen
. The team played with flair and could score at any moment, whatever their position on the field, giving rise to the teams catch cry of 'expect the unexpected'. However the team struggled for consistent performances and at crunch time in matches, leading to patchy form and results.
After the 1999 World Cup
, Jonah Lomu
's contract with the NZRU expired he was linked to many clubs around the world, in rugby league
as well as union and also the NFL's Dallas Cowboys
. On 23 November 1999 it was announced that the winger had resigned from the NZRU and agreed terms with the Wellington Rugby Union, despite a reported a £1.1 million offer by Bristol
. The move to the Wellington union meant he could be included in the protected group of players for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes also opened 2000 with a new stadium
. The highlights of that year included the victory over eventual champions the Crusaders, 41-29, in front of a packed house. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the Bulls to stay in contention. However, the Hurricanes played one of their worst games of the year, losing the match to one of the worst performing teams at that point in the competition's history and lost the possibility of qualifying for the semi-finals. The team finished eighth on the table.
Despite the Wellington Lions (whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC
, the Hurricanes finished ninth in the final standings in 2001; one worse than the year before. Another ninth placing in 2002 resulted in Graham Mourie
, who had led the team since 2000, resigning.
, the then Crusaders assistant-coach, had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the South Island
franchise, the Hurricanes were able to lure him away from the champions and made him their head coach for the 2003 season.
Cooper, along with newly appointed captain Tana Umaga
, helped to mould the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in the competition. 2003 was the beginning of a new era for the Hurricanes as they reached the semi-finals for just the second time in their history on the back of a strong seven-game winning streak mid-season. Their success came partly with the breakout year for mid-fielder Ma'a Nonu
, his strong performances and partnership with captain Tana Umaga
pushed out former All Black Pita Alatini
and saw him score six tries en route to the All Black squad. The team also benefited from the steady hand of David Holwell
at first five-eighth and an improving and mobile forward pack.
Hurricanes stalwart Christian Cullen
would leave New Zealand
shores for Irish
club Munster
after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup
squad, despite scoring eight tries during the season.
All Black great Jonah Lomu
was left out of the 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a kidney transplant
. He would never again pull on a Hurricanes jersey.
2004 wasn't quite the year that the coaches, players and fans alike wanted but it laid the platform for the next year, with the majority of the team being retained including new centre Conrad Smith
. The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth
was the real "find" of the season, scoring 139 points after much fuss was made about a suitable replacement for Ireland
-bound David Holwell
. The Hurricanes had tried their hand at getting Australian playmaker Brock James
, who had starred the previous NPC
season for Taranaki and the Blues, and young star Luke McAlister
made some noise about his preference of playing in Wellington. With both Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger
at the Crusaders capable of playing first five-eighth the team also made an attempt to lure Andrew Mehrtens
to Wellington, without success.
2006 saw the entry of two new teams to the competition, the Bloemfontein-based Central Cheetahs
from South Africa and the Perth-based Western Force
from Australia, and the Super 14
was born. The Hurricanes welcomed a new captain with Rodney So'oialo
stepping up after former All Black captain Tana Umaga
wanted to focus more on his playing duties. The Wellington-based franchise again played solidly, winning all but four matches. They made their first Super Rugby final losing against perennial powerhouse the Crusaders in a bizarre match played under thick fog. Following the match an incident in a nightclub involving Chris Masoe
and Tana Umaga
caused a stir in the media. The successful 2006 season saw the Hurricanes turn over NZ$7.44 million which resulted in a NZ$1.36millon profit.
, Poverty Bay
, Hawke's Bay
, Taranaki
, Wanganui
, Manawatu
, Wairarapa-Bush
, Horowhenua-Kapiti
and Wellington provincial rugby unions. This area makes the team the second largest New Zealand franchise, representing an area of 920,000 people.
Like all New Zealand
Super 15 sides the Hurricanes are able to protect 24 players from within their franchise area each season. Players not protected can be selected by any of the other four franchises, while the Hurricanes can likewise bring in players from other regions. All of the current squad play in the Air New Zealand Cup
Premier competition, the majority from Wellington, with other players in the squad from Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, within the franchise area.
on Wellington's waterfront. The stadium is affectionately known as The Cake-Tin throughout New Zealand due to its shape, although the locals refer to it as The Stadium. It was opened in 2000 to replace Athletic Park
, where the team had been previously based. Yarrow Stadium
(25,000) (formerly Rugby Park) in New Plymouth
, Arena Manawatu
(formerly the Showgrounds) in Palmerston North
and McLean Park
in Napier
have also played host to Hurricanes matches.
In the initial years of the competition the Hurricanes played once, or occasionally twice, away from their Wellington base depending on whether they had five or six games per year. Such a policy was welcomed given the large geographic area that the team is drawn from and helped generate the teams following. However, in recent years the team has seldom ventured from Wellington with the team's board citing full crowds in the Westpac Stadium, less than full venues in the provincial centres and the impact on revenue generated by the team for the franchise unions, despite the expansion to 14 and now 15 teams meaning two additional games per year. The team's colours are yellow and black, which represents the colours of Wellington and Taranaki (the two initial major unions in the franchise) with trim colours of dark blue and white adding representation of the other franchise unions (black and white for Hawke's Bay, blue and white for Horowhenua-Kapiti, blue for Wanganui, white for Manawatu (along with green).
Isaac Boss
Rodney So'ialo
Christian Cullen
Jerry Collins
Jonah Lomu
Tana Umaga
Mark "Bull" Allen
Tamati Ellison
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
professional Rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team based in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
that competes in the Super Rugby competition. The franchise represents the East Coast
East Coast Rugby Football Union
The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located on the East Coast of the North Island, based in Ruatoria. It is the smallest Union in New Zealand in the sense of player numbers and population base...
, Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay Rugby Union
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:...
, Horowhenua Kapiti
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
, Manawatu
Manawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
, Poverty Bay
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union
The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, which governs rugby union within the Gisborne region surrounding Poverty Bay in New Zealand, was formed in 1890....
, Taranaki
Taranaki Rugby Union
Taranaki Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is in the main centre of New Plymouth. Taranaki plays in the annual ITM Cup in which it also competes for the Ranfurly shield...
, Wairarapa-Bush
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....
, Wanganui
Wanganui Rugby Football Union
The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....
and Wellington
Wellington Rugby Football Union
The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
provincial Rugby unions, and currently plays at Westpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders...
, having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park
Athletic Park (Wellington)
Athletic Park was a well-known ground used mostly for rugby matches in Wellington, New Zealand. The ground was also the inaugural home of New Zealand's principal knockout football tournament, the Chatham Cup ....
.
The franchise was formed to represent the lower North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
with the conception of the Super 12 tournament in 1996, which featured teams from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Hurricanes had a poor first season, but rebounded in 1997 with a third placing. The team did not reach the play-offs for another five years as the team struggled in the bottom four of the table. Since 2003 the Hurricanes have made the post-season play-offs five times out of the last eight seasons; including the 2006 final, which they lost in horrendously foggy weather against the Crusaders 19-12.
Early years: 1996–97
The Hurricanes were formed in 1996 as one of five New Zealand Super 12 teams, and were originally called the "Wellington Hurricanes". The Hurricanes region comprises the lower North IslandNorth Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
. Its catchment area of 920,000 people is the largest in New Zealand. The teams first coach was former All Black Frank Oliver while Mark "Bull" Allen was named as captain.
Their first match, played at Palmerston North Showgrounds
Arena Manawatu
Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 180,000 square metre publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand.It has three linked indoor stadiums, with movable tiered seating...
against the Auckland Blues, was the first ever Super Rugby match. They lost it 36-28. The team performed below expectations in the inaugural year of the competition and finished ninth. In 1997 the team made the semi-finals, losing in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
to the ACT Brumbies. However the consistent form shown during this season would not be seen again for many years.
Expect the unexpected: 1998–2002
Following their 1997 season, the Hurricanes failed to qualify for the semi-finals until 2003. Despite this, they were still known for the attacking nature of their backline that included the All BlacksAll Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
stars Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
and Christian Cullen
Christian Cullen
Christian Mathias Cullen is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand , for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at first-class level. He was nicknamed the Paekakariki Express...
. The team played with flair and could score at any moment, whatever their position on the field, giving rise to the teams catch cry of 'expect the unexpected'. However the team struggled for consistent performances and at crunch time in matches, leading to patchy form and results.
After the 1999 World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
, Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu
Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game...
's contract with the NZRU expired he was linked to many clubs around the world, in rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
as well as union and also the NFL's Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. On 23 November 1999 it was announced that the winger had resigned from the NZRU and agreed terms with the Wellington Rugby Union, despite a reported a £1.1 million offer by Bristol
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
. The move to the Wellington union meant he could be included in the protected group of players for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes also opened 2000 with a new stadium
Westpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders...
. The highlights of that year included the victory over eventual champions the Crusaders, 41-29, in front of a packed house. At the end of the season the 'Canes still had a mathematical chance of making the semis and only had to beat the Bulls to stay in contention. However, the Hurricanes played one of their worst games of the year, losing the match to one of the worst performing teams at that point in the competition's history and lost the possibility of qualifying for the semi-finals. The team finished eighth on the table.
Despite the Wellington Lions (whom most of the Hurricanes squad were chosen from) winning the 2000 NPC
Air New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
, the Hurricanes finished ninth in the final standings in 2001; one worse than the year before. Another ninth placing in 2002 resulted in Graham Mourie
Graham Mourie
Graham Neil Kenneth Mourie is a former New Zealand All Black flanker and coach of the Hurricanes. He was one of the great All Black Captains in the late 70s and early 80s...
, who had led the team since 2000, resigning.
New era: 2003–present
In spite of reports that Colin CooperColin Cooper (rugby)
Colin Cooper is the head coach of Taranaki's provincial rugby union side in New Zealand. He has previously been the head coach of rugby union Super 14 side, the Hurricanes. In his playing days, Cooper was also loose forward for the Taranaki province in his native New Zealand.-Management:Following...
, the then Crusaders assistant-coach, had said he was "not yet ready to jump ship" and wanted to stay with the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
franchise, the Hurricanes were able to lure him away from the champions and made him their head coach for the 2003 season.
Cooper, along with newly appointed captain Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
, helped to mould the inconsistent and ill-disciplined Hurricanes into one of the top teams in the competition. 2003 was the beginning of a new era for the Hurricanes as they reached the semi-finals for just the second time in their history on the back of a strong seven-game winning streak mid-season. Their success came partly with the breakout year for mid-fielder Ma'a Nonu
Ma'a Nonu
Ma'a Allan Nonu is a professional Samoan rugby union player from New Zealand. Nonu plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks...
, his strong performances and partnership with captain Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
pushed out former All Black Pita Alatini
Pita Alatini
Pita Faiva-ki-moana Alatini is a Tongan-born New Zealand rugby union footballer. Alatini is a midfield back who played in 17 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2001, scoring 6 test tries....
and saw him score six tries en route to the All Black squad. The team also benefited from the steady hand of David Holwell
David Holwell
David Holwell is a rugby union fly half who played for Wellington and Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup and NPC, and for the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby...
at first five-eighth and an improving and mobile forward pack.
Hurricanes stalwart Christian Cullen
Christian Cullen
Christian Mathias Cullen is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand , for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at first-class level. He was nicknamed the Paekakariki Express...
would leave New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
shores for Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
club Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
after his omission from the All Blacks 2003 World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
squad, despite scoring eight tries during the season.
All Black great Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu
Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game...
was left out of the 2004 squad, due to a life-threatening illness that would eventually result in a kidney transplant
Kidney transplantation
Kidney transplantation or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ...
. He would never again pull on a Hurricanes jersey.
2004 wasn't quite the year that the coaches, players and fans alike wanted but it laid the platform for the next year, with the majority of the team being retained including new centre Conrad Smith
Conrad Smith
Conrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington...
. The Hurricanes came back in 2005 to the form that saw them make the playoffs two years prior. Former New Zealand Colt Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth
Jimmy Gopperth
James 'Jimmy' Gopperth is a rugby union player who plays for Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. His position is first five-eighth and he played previously for the Hurricanes and Blues in the Super 14 and the Junior All Blacks...
was the real "find" of the season, scoring 139 points after much fuss was made about a suitable replacement for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-bound David Holwell
David Holwell
David Holwell is a rugby union fly half who played for Wellington and Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup and NPC, and for the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby...
. The Hurricanes had tried their hand at getting Australian playmaker Brock James
Brock James
Brock James is an Australian rugby union player currently playing for French club ASM Clermont Auvergne....
, who had starred the previous NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
season for Taranaki and the Blues, and young star Luke McAlister
Luke McAlister
Charles Luke McAlister is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays first five-eighths and second five-eighths ....
made some noise about his preference of playing in Wellington. With both Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger
Aaron Mauger
Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger is a former rugby union player who played at centre for Leicester Tigers. He previously played first five-eighths and second five-eighths for Canterbury , the Crusaders and the New Zealand All Blacks...
at the Crusaders capable of playing first five-eighth the team also made an attempt to lure Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Philip Mehrtens MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, currently playing in France for Béziers, a club in the third-level Fédérale 1 league...
to Wellington, without success.
2006 saw the entry of two new teams to the competition, the Bloemfontein-based Central Cheetahs
Central Cheetahs
The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. The franchise area encompasses the Free State and Northern Cape. In terms of Currie Cup unions, the Cheetahs draw from Free State...
from South Africa and the Perth-based Western Force
Western Force
Western Force is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super Rugby competition. They first competed in the 2006 season and finished with the wooden spoon in that year, however their performances greatly improved in 2007. In 2008 they finished in 8th...
from Australia, and the Super 14
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
was born. The Hurricanes welcomed a new captain with Rodney So'oialo
Rodney So'oialo
Rodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player currently playing in Japan for the Honda Heat. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009...
stepping up after former All Black captain Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
wanted to focus more on his playing duties. The Wellington-based franchise again played solidly, winning all but four matches. They made their first Super Rugby final losing against perennial powerhouse the Crusaders in a bizarre match played under thick fog. Following the match an incident in a nightclub involving Chris Masoe
Chris Masoe
Chris Masoe is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently plays for Castres Olympique.-Super 14:...
and Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
caused a stir in the media. The successful 2006 season saw the Hurricanes turn over NZ$7.44 million which resulted in a NZ$1.36millon profit.
Franchise area
The franchise represents the East CoastEast Coast Rugby Football Union
The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located on the East Coast of the North Island, based in Ruatoria. It is the smallest Union in New Zealand in the sense of player numbers and population base...
, Poverty Bay
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union
The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, which governs rugby union within the Gisborne region surrounding Poverty Bay in New Zealand, was formed in 1890....
, Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay Rugby Union
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:...
, Taranaki
Taranaki Rugby Union
Taranaki Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is in the main centre of New Plymouth. Taranaki plays in the annual ITM Cup in which it also competes for the Ranfurly shield...
, Wanganui
Wanganui Rugby Football Union
The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....
, Manawatu
Manawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
, Wairarapa-Bush
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....
, Horowhenua-Kapiti
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
and Wellington provincial rugby unions. This area makes the team the second largest New Zealand franchise, representing an area of 920,000 people.
Like all New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Super 15 sides the Hurricanes are able to protect 24 players from within their franchise area each season. Players not protected can be selected by any of the other four franchises, while the Hurricanes can likewise bring in players from other regions. All of the current squad play in the Air New Zealand Cup
Air New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
Premier competition, the majority from Wellington, with other players in the squad from Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, within the franchise area.
Grounds
The Hurricanes play the majority of their home matches at the 34,500 capacity Westpac StadiumWestpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders...
on Wellington's waterfront. The stadium is affectionately known as The Cake-Tin throughout New Zealand due to its shape, although the locals refer to it as The Stadium. It was opened in 2000 to replace Athletic Park
Athletic Park (Wellington)
Athletic Park was a well-known ground used mostly for rugby matches in Wellington, New Zealand. The ground was also the inaugural home of New Zealand's principal knockout football tournament, the Chatham Cup ....
, where the team had been previously based. Yarrow Stadium
Yarrow Stadium
Yarrow Stadium is situated in the central suburb of Westown in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand, with main vehicle access off Maratahu St...
(25,000) (formerly Rugby Park) in New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
, Arena Manawatu
Arena Manawatu
Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 180,000 square metre publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand.It has three linked indoor stadiums, with movable tiered seating...
(formerly the Showgrounds) in Palmerston North
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
and McLean Park
McLean Park
McLean Park is a sports ground in Napier, New Zealand. The two main sports played at the ground are cricket and rugby. It is one of the 10 proper cricket grounds of New Zealand....
in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
have also played host to Hurricanes matches.
In the initial years of the competition the Hurricanes played once, or occasionally twice, away from their Wellington base depending on whether they had five or six games per year. Such a policy was welcomed given the large geographic area that the team is drawn from and helped generate the teams following. However, in recent years the team has seldom ventured from Wellington with the team's board citing full crowds in the Westpac Stadium, less than full venues in the provincial centres and the impact on revenue generated by the team for the franchise unions, despite the expansion to 14 and now 15 teams meaning two additional games per year. The team's colours are yellow and black, which represents the colours of Wellington and Taranaki (the two initial major unions in the franchise) with trim colours of dark blue and white adding representation of the other franchise unions (black and white for Hawke's Bay, blue and white for Horowhenua-Kapiti, blue for Wanganui, white for Manawatu (along with green).
Super 12 placings
| Super 12 Results | |||||||||||
| Year | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Points | Place | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 290 | 353 | -63 | 5 | 17 | 9th | |
| 1997 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 416 | 314 | 102 | 10 | 34 | 3rd | (lost semi-final to Brumbies Brumbies Rugby The Brumbies are a Super 15 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberra's hinterland... ) |
| 1998 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 313 | 342 | -29 | 6 | 26 | 8th | |
| 1999 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 213 | 226 | -13 | 4 | 22 | 10th | |
| 2000 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 308 | 329 | -21 | 5 | 29 | 8th | |
| 2002 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 232 | 317 | -85 | 3 | 23 | 9th | |
| 2003 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 324 | 284 | 40 | 7 | 35 | 3rd | (lost semi-final to Crusaders) |
| 2004 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 275 | 303 | -28 | 5 | 23 | 11th | |
| 2005 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 283 | 248 | 35 | 2 | 34 | 4th | (lost semi-final to Crusaders) |
Super 14 placings
| Super 14 Results | |||||||||||
| Year | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Points | Place | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 328 | 226 | 102 | 7 | 62 | 2nd | (Lost final to the Crusaders) |
| 2007 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 247 | 300 | -53 | 3 | 27 | 5th | |
| 2008 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 310 | 204 | 106 | 7 | 54 | 3rd | (lost semi-final to Waratahs) |
| 2009 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 380 | 279 | +101 | 8 | 48 | 3rd | (lost semi-final to Chiefs) |
| 2010 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 358 | 323 | +35 | 7 | 37 | 8th | |
Super 15 placing
| Super 15 Results | |||||||||||
| Year | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Points | Place | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 328 | 398 | -70 | 10 | 42 | 4th Conference/9th Overall | |
Players and coaches of note
Pita AlatiniIsaac Boss
Rodney So'ialo
Christian Cullen
Jerry Collins
Jonah Lomu
Tana Umaga
Mark "Bull" Allen
Tamati Ellison
2012 squad
The squad for the 2012 season:Props Michael Bent Michael R. Bent Michael Bent is a rugby union player who can play as a tight or loosehead prop, he represents Taranaki in the ITM Cup and Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Competition.-Provincial rugby:*Taranaki U16's... Reggie Goodes Ben May Ben May (rugby player) -Super 14:May made his Super 14 debut for the Crusaders against the Lions in 2007, he then debuted for the Chiefs against the Blues in 2008. May signed with the Waikato Rugby Union for three years from 2009. In 2008 He was drafted to the Chiefs where he played a total of 12 games for the franchise.... Tristian Moran Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen Hookers Dane Coles David Hall Motu Matu'u Locks James Broadhurst James Broadhurst James Broadhurst is a New Zealand rugby union lock who plays provincial rugby for Taranaki, and is currently playing in the Super 15 competition for the Hurricanes. He was a national representative at the under-19 and under-21 levels.... Jason Eaton Jason Eaton Jason John Eaton is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays lock.-Early life:Though born in Palmerston North he grew up on a dairy farm near the small community of Colyton.-Career:... Mark Reddish Jeremy Thrush Jeremy Thrush Jeremy Thrush is a rugby union lock who played provincial rugby for Wellington Lions and super rugby for the Hurricanes.... |
Loose Forwards Jack Lam Jack Lam Jack Lam is a rugby union player from New Zealand, currently playing as Flanker for the Hurricanes Super Rugby team.... Faifili Levave Faifili Levave Faifili Levave is a New Zealand professional rugby union player currently playing for the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes.-Biography:... Karl Lowe Karl Lowe Karl Lowe is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He currently plays at Openside Flanker for the Hurricanes.-Career:... Brad Shields Victor Vito Victor Vito (rugby player) Victor Vito is a New Zealand rugby player/male model who plays blindside flanker for the New Zealand All Blacks. He was a star of New Zealand Sevens, and captained the 2006 New Zealand Under 19 Rugby team... Half Backs Chris Eaton Chris Eaton Chris Eaton may refer to:* Chris Eaton , British tennis player* Chris Eaton , contemporary Christian singer-songwriter* Chris Eaton , indie rock musician and author... TJ Perenara Chris Smylie Chris Smylie Chris Smylie is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays at halfback. Although he made his provincial debut for North Harbour in 2002, he currently plays for Otago in the NPC and the Highlanders in the Super 14, and has been named in the New Zealand Māori squad for 2006.Smylie was named NPC... Fly Halfs Beauden Barrett Daniel Kirkpatrick Daniel Kirkpatrick Daniel Kirkpatrick is a professional rugby player who plays for Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup and the Blues in the Super 14. He also played for New Zealand under 20 who won the World Cup in 2007. He was educated at Napier Boys' High School from 2002-2006. Kirkpatrick cites Perry Gordon as... Tusi Pisi Tusi Pisi Tusi Pisi is a rugby union player who played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup. His position is fly half, but he has also played at centre and full back... |
Centres Tim Bateman Tim Bateman Tim Bateman is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a centre. He was head boy of Christchurch Boys High School in Canterbury, New Zealand. He Now plays in Japan for the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks.... Jayden Hayward Jayden Hayward Jayden Hayward is a rugby union player who can play as a fly-half or centre, and who represents Taranaki in the ITM Cup and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition.-Provincial Rugby:... Charlie Ngatai Conrad Smith Conrad Smith Conrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington... (c) Wings Richard Buckman Alapati Leiua Julian Savea Julian Savea Julian Savea is an New Zealand Rugby Union Player who currently plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and has represented his country at rugby sevens and at under 20 level. He plays on the wings or at centre.-Career:... Andre Taylor Full Backs Cory Jane Cory Jane Cory Steven Jane is a New Zealand international rugby union player.He first played for the All Blacks in 2008 and plays as a winger. In 2011 Jane was selected into the Tri Nations team as injury cover... |
In for 2012
- Beauden Barrett (from
Taranaki) - Tim BatemanTim BatemanTim Bateman is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a centre. He was head boy of Christchurch Boys High School in Canterbury, New Zealand. He Now plays in Japan for the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks....
(from
Coca Cola West Red SparksCoca Cola West Red SparksCoca Cola West Red Sparks RFC is a Japanese company-owned rugby union team based in Fukuoka city, Kyūshū...
) - Ben MayBen May (rugby player)-Super 14:May made his Super 14 debut for the Crusaders against the Lions in 2007, he then debuted for the Chiefs against the Blues in 2008. May signed with the Waikato Rugby Union for three years from 2009. In 2008 He was drafted to the Chiefs where he played a total of 12 games for the franchise....
(from ChiefsChiefs (Super rugby franchise)The Chiefs are a professional Rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Their home ground is Waikato Stadium. The Chiefs play in black, red and yellow coloured jerseys...
) - Brad Shields (from Wellington LionsWellington Rugby Football UnionThe Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
) - Jeff Toomaga-Allen (from Marist St. Pat'sMarist St PatsMarist St Pats are a rugby union club who play in Wellington Rugby Football Union's premier club rugby grade The Jubilee Cup. They are the current holders of the Jubilee Cup.-History:...
) - David Hall (from Crusaders)
- Tusi PisiTusi PisiTusi Pisi is a rugby union player who played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup. His position is fly half, but he has also played at centre and full back...
(from SuntorySuntory SungoliathSuntory Sungoliath is owned by the Suntory beverage company and is one of the Japanese rugby union teams in the Top League. The team is based in Fuchū, Tokyo, as is their local rival Toshiba Brave Lupus...
) - Tristian Moran (from Bay of PlentyBay of Plenty SteamersThe Bay of Plenty Steamers are the top representative team under the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in New Zealand. They compete in the ITM Cup. They have a total of 20 All Blacks, the latest being Tanerau Latimer in 2009...
) - Motu Matu'u (from Wellington LionsWellington Rugby Football UnionThe Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
) - Reggie Goodes (from Wellington LionsWellington Rugby Football UnionThe Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
) - TJ Perenara (from Wellington LionsWellington Rugby Football UnionThe Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
) - Chris SmylieChris SmylieChris Smylie is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays at halfback. Although he made his provincial debut for North Harbour in 2002, he currently plays for Otago in the NPC and the Highlanders in the Super 14, and has been named in the New Zealand Māori squad for 2006.Smylie was named NPC...
(from Blues)
Out for 2012
- Aaron CrudenAaron CrudenAaron Cruden is a World Cup winning New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays for Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship, Chiefs in the Super 15 Competition and is an All Blacks international. Cruden's position is first five-eighth/fly-half...
(to ChiefsChiefs (Super rugby franchise)The Chiefs are a professional Rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Their home ground is Waikato Stadium. The Chiefs play in black, red and yellow coloured jerseys...
) - Bryn EvansBryn Evans (New Zealand rugby union player)Bryn Evans is a New Zealand rugby union player. Evans made his international debut for the All Blacks in 2009 against France. He plays with the Hurricanes in the Super 14, and also plays provincial rugby for Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup.-Biography:Evans was born in Hastings and attended...
(to
London IrishLondon IrishLondon Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) - Andrew HoreAndrew HoreFor the rugby union coach from New Zealand see Andrew Hore Andrew Hore is a rugby union player who plays for Taranaki in the ITM Cup. He has played for the All Blacks since 2002, in which time he has played 48 tests. His position is hooker...
(to Highlanders) - Hosea GearHosea GearHosea Gear is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays for the Highlanders in the Super 15 competition as a wing. He has played six international matches for New Zealand and scored five tries...
(to Highlanders) - Ma'a NonuMa'a NonuMa'a Allan Nonu is a professional Samoan rugby union player from New Zealand. Nonu plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks...
(to Blues) - Rodney So'oialoRodney So'oialoRodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player currently playing in Japan for the Honda Heat. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009...
(to Honda HeatHonda HeatHonda Heat is a Japanese rugby union team based in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The owner of the club is Honda Motor....
) - John SchwalgerJohn SchwalgerJohn Schwalger is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and plays at prop.-Early life:Schwalger moved to New Zealand after being born in Apia...
(to
AgenSU Agen Lot-et-GaronneSporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne is a French rugby union club based in Agen in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. They currently play in the top flight of French professional rugby, Top 14; they were most recently promoted after winning the 2010 title in the second-level Pro D2. Agen also...
) - Neemia TialataNeemia TialataNeemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
(to BayonneAviron BayonnaisAviron Bayonnais is a French rugby union club from Bayonne in Pyrénées-Atlantiques that currently competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition...
) - Piri WeepuPiri WeepuPiri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...
(to Blues) - Jacob EllisonJacob EllisonJacob Ellison is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for the Hurricanes in the Super 14. He is the younger brother of teammate and utility back Tamati Ellison. Jacob plays the position of prop...
(to Highlanders)
Current Internationals
- Cory JaneCory JaneCory Steven Jane is a New Zealand international rugby union player.He first played for the All Blacks in 2008 and plays as a winger. In 2011 Jane was selected into the Tri Nations team as injury cover...
- Conrad SmithConrad SmithConrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington...
- Victor VitoVictor Vito (rugby player)Victor Vito is a New Zealand rugby player/male model who plays blindside flanker for the New Zealand All Blacks. He was a star of New Zealand Sevens, and captained the 2006 New Zealand Under 19 Rugby team...
- Tusi PisiTusi PisiTusi Pisi is a rugby union player who played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup. His position is fly half, but he has also played at centre and full back...
Former Internationals
- Inoke AfeakiInoke AfeakiInoke Afeaki is a Tongan rugby union footballer. His usual position is at lock.-Career:Afeaki has played for the Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship, the Hurricanes in the international Super 14 competition, Secom and Ricoh in Japan before joining the Scarlets in Wales. He...
* - Mark "Bull" Allen
- Sireli BoboSireli BoboIsireli Bobo is a Fijian rugby union footballer, currently playing for the Paris club Racing Métro 92 in the Top 14 club competition in France.-Career:...
- Jerry CollinsJerry CollinsJerry Collins is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who formerly played for the national team, the All Blacks in which he was capped 48 times. He now plays for Yamaha Jubilo, in Japanese Top league rugby.-Early career:...
- Aaron CrudenAaron CrudenAaron Cruden is a World Cup winning New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays for Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship, Chiefs in the Super 15 Competition and is an All Blacks international. Cruden's position is first five-eighth/fly-half...
- Christian CullenChristian CullenChristian Mathias Cullen is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand , for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at first-class level. He was nicknamed the Paekakariki Express...
- Jason EatonJason EatonJason John Eaton is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays lock.-Early life:Though born in Palmerston North he grew up on a dairy farm near the small community of Colyton.-Career:...
- Tamati EllisonTamati EllisonTamati Ellison is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Japanese Top League competition. His position is utility back. He previously played for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup and Super Rugby for the Hurricanes...
- Bryn EvansBryn Evans (New Zealand rugby union player)Bryn Evans is a New Zealand rugby union player. Evans made his international debut for the All Blacks in 2009 against France. He plays with the Hurricanes in the Super 14, and also plays provincial rugby for Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup.-Biography:Evans was born in Hastings and attended...
- Hosea GearHosea GearHosea Gear is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays for the Highlanders in the Super 15 competition as a wing. He has played six international matches for New Zealand and scored five tries...
- David HolwellDavid HolwellDavid Holwell is a rugby union fly half who played for Wellington and Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup and NPC, and for the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby...
- Andrew HoreAndrew HoreFor the rugby union coach from New Zealand see Andrew Hore Andrew Hore is a rugby union player who plays for Taranaki in the ITM Cup. He has played for the All Blacks since 2002, in which time he has played 48 tests. His position is hooker...
- Alama IeremiaAlama IeremiaAlama Ieremia is a New Zealand rugby union coach. He is a former Samoan international as well as a former All Black. He was born in Apia, Samoa....
- Jonah LomuJonah LomuJonah Tali Lomu, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game...
- Ma'a NonuMa'a NonuMa'a Allan Nonu is a professional Samoan rugby union player from New Zealand. Nonu plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks...
- John SchwalgerJohn SchwalgerJohn Schwalger is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and plays at prop.-Early life:Schwalger moved to New Zealand after being born in Apia...
- Gordon SlaterGordon SlaterGordon Leonard Slater is a former rugby player from New Zealand. He made his debut for the All Blacks in 1997. After having played in 144 matches for Taranaki and with nearly 220 first class games, he bowed out of top rugby at the end of the 2002 season. He was born in New Plymouth.-External links:*...
- Rodney So'oialoRodney So'oialoRodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player currently playing in Japan for the Honda Heat. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009...
- Jason SpiceJason SpiceJason Edward Spice is a New Zealand international rugby union player. His position of choice is as a scrum-half.Spice was born in Matamata. He is a former New Zealand cricketer who played for the Northern Districts Knights and the All Blacks in rugby. He also played for Hamilton in the Hawke...
- Neemia TialataNeemia TialataNeemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
- Filo TiatiaFilo TiatiaFilogia Ian "Filo" Tiatia is a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, who used to play as a back-row forward and occasionally lock Ospreys....
- Tana UmagaTana UmagaJonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
- Kupu VanisiKupu VanisiOsaiasi Kupu Vanisi is a former rugby union footballer who played at flanker for the Highlaners and Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition...
- Dion WallerDion WallerDion Alan George Waller is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for the Wellington Lions, Hurricanes, New Zealand Maori and All Blacks...
- Piri WeepuPiri WeepuPiri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...
Coaches
- Frank OliverFrank Oliver (rugby player)Francis James "Frank" Oliver was a New Zealand rugby union player. He was born in Dunedin on December 24, 1948, making his provincial debut for Southland in 1969. He later also played for Otago and Manawatu....
(1996–1999) - Graham MourieGraham MourieGraham Neil Kenneth Mourie is a former New Zealand All Black flanker and coach of the Hurricanes. He was one of the great All Black Captains in the late 70s and early 80s...
(2000–2002) - Colin CooperColin Cooper (rugby)Colin Cooper is the head coach of Taranaki's provincial rugby union side in New Zealand. He has previously been the head coach of rugby union Super 14 side, the Hurricanes. In his playing days, Cooper was also loose forward for the Taranaki province in his native New Zealand.-Management:Following...
(2003–2010) - Mark HammettMark HammettMark Garry Hammett is a rugby union coach and former New Zealand rugby union player. Hammett played provincial rugby for Canterbury, as a hooker, between 1992 and 2002. When the Crusaders franchise was formed for the Super 12 in 1996, Hammett was contracted, becoming a founding player...
(2011–present)
Captains
- Mark "Bull" Allen (1996-1998)
- Tana UmagaTana UmagaJonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
(2003-2005) - Rodney So'oialoRodney So'oialoRodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player currently playing in Japan for the Honda Heat. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009...
(2006-2009) - Andrew HoreAndrew HoreFor the rugby union coach from New Zealand see Andrew Hore Andrew Hore is a rugby union player who plays for Taranaki in the ITM Cup. He has played for the All Blacks since 2002, in which time he has played 48 tests. His position is hooker...
(2010-2011) - Conrad SmithConrad SmithConrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington...
(2012- )