Provincial rugby has returned to New Zealand, with numerous Hurricanes set to feature in this year’s NPC.
As many as 34 members of the 2025 Hurricanes squad are in action across the country this year, with two players – Bailyn Sullivan and Tom Allen – featuring last night as Waikato pipped Auckland 36-35 in the season-opener at Eden Park.
The likes of Du’Plessis Kirifi, Billy Proctor, Ruben Love, Peter Lakai, Asafo Aumua, Brad Shields, Xavier Numia, Riley Higgins, Caleb Delany, Callum Harkin, Tjay Clarke, Hugo Plummer, and Siale Lauaki have all been included in the Wellington squad as the reigning champion Lions look to defend their national title.
Of those 13, eight will play against Canterbury in tomorrow’s clash in Porirua, where they face Hurricanes teammate Ngatungane Punivai, who has been named at left wing for the visitors.
Elsewhere within the Hurricanes region, six players – Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Harry Godfrey, Ereatara Enari, and Jacob Devery – will feature for Hawke’s Bay, while Manawatū have Brett Cameron, Brayden Iose, Raymond Tuputupu, and Jordi Viljoen in their ranks.
This weekend, the Magpies host Counties Manukau, who are without Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard, while the Turbos are at home against North Harbour .
Further north, Bay of Plenty have Hurricanes trio Fehi Fineanganofo, Tevita Mafileo, and Pasilio Tosi in this year’s squad. All three will play for the Steamers on Sunday, as they take on Tyrel Lomax’s Tasman in Tauranga.
Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki, meanwhile, will defend the Log o’ Wood against Northland on Saturday night. Hurricanes duo Kini Naholo and Arese Poliko are both in this year’s Bulls setup, with Poliko named to start at blindside flanker this weekend.
This year’s NPC regular season continues for the next 10 weeks, with the playoffs culminating in a final scheduled for 25 October.
Be sure to catch your Hurricanes in action next season when memberships go on sale from 1 September!
HURRICANES IN ACTION IN THE 2025 NPC
Wellington
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Billy Proctor
Ruben Love
Peter Lakai
Asafo Aumua
Brad Shields
Xavier Numia
Riley Higgins
Caleb Delany
Callum Harkin
Tjay Clarke
Hugo Plummer
Siale Lauaki
Hawke’s Bay
Devan Flanders
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Harry Godfrey
Ereatara Enari
Jacob Devery
Manawatū
Brett Cameron
Brayden Iose
Raymond Tuputupu
Jordi Viljoen
Bay of Plenty
Pasilio Tosi
Fehi Fineanganofo
Tevita Mafileo
Taranaki
Kini Naholo
Arese Poliko
Tasman
Tyrel Lomax
Counties Manukau
Cam Roigard
Waikato
Bailyn Sullivan
Canterbury
Ngatungane Punivai
Auckland
Tom Allen
