Promising loose forward Arese Poliko is set to remain with the Hurricanes through to the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season in the latest chapter of his storied rugby journey.
A member of this year's Hurricanes squad, the 24-year-old has walked an unconventional path to the Hurricanes, where he rounds out a healthy 2026 back row contingent alongside All Blacks duo Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai, seasoned veteran Brad Shields, and experienced pair Brayden Iose and Devan Flanders.
Born in Australia and a football player while growing up, Poliko moved to Samoa with his family as a 12-year-old. It was in the Pacific Island nation where he first started playing rugby at the age of 15.
At 16, Poliko took an opportunity to relocate to Southland to play for the Menzies College First XV. After two years in Wyndham, Poliko shifted to Invercargill to play for the Southland Boys’ High School First XV as a Year 13 in 2019.
The following year, the former Highlanders U18 and U20 representative made his NPC debut for Southland, playing seven matches for the Stags between 2020 and 2022 before transferring to Taranaki ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Since joining Taranaki, he has made 18 appearances and scored one try for the Bulls, featuring throughout their title-winning 2023 campaign and starting at blindside flanker during last year’s successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Tasman.
Capable of playing every position across the back row, Poliko is set to compete for game time as he continues to chase a Super Rugby Pacific debut.
“Growing up and learning the game of rugby, all I wanted to do was work hard and to play to the best of my ability to one day achieve my dream of being part of a Super Rugby club. The Hurricanes gave me that opportunity,” Poliko said.
“To train with some of the players I spent so many years watching, who I now learn from and work alongside, is a dream come true.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into it again with the brothers and putting my best foot forward to hopefully get an opportunity to debut.”
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is excited to have retained Poliko, whose relationship with assistant coach Brad Cooper at Taranaki laid the foundations for his move to the club.
“We saw Arese through the NPC last year with Taranaki, where Coops worked with him. He had an interesting story about coming from Samoa and going to Southland, and then ended up in Taranaki for family reasons,” Laidlaw said.
“I think the way he’s started in the NPC, the work he’s done through the Super Rugby season, and the way he’s continued to grow his game is really encouraging.
“He’s in a competitive position in our squad, but we see massive upside in him over the next couple of years. He’s learning off Brad and Devan and Brayden, and he's been playing well in the NPC this season.
“He’s finding his confidence about being at this level, he’s ready to play Super Rugby Pacific, and I would expect him to get a run early next year. We’re pumped that he decided to extend and stay with us.”
Arese Poliko
Date of Birth: 23 January 2001 (24-years-old)
Place of Birth: Randwick, Australia
Village: Fasito’o Uta
Position: Loose Forward
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 112kg
Playing Career: Southland (2020-2022), Taranaki (2023-present), Hurricanes (2025-present)
Honours: NPC (2023), Ranfurly Shield (2024-2025)
