The Hurricanes are pleased to confirm the Wider Training Group (WTG) for Super Rugby Pacific next year.
Following on from yesterday’s 2026 squad announcement, 12 players have been included in the WTG, which will train full-time alongside the full squad.
The WTG provides a pathway from provincial rugby to Super Rugby Pacific for players to accelerate their professional development while continuing to be available for club rugby throughout the season.
These players will be available for Super Rugby Pacific selection should injuries occur within the full squad.
Many of next year’s WTG have previous ties to the Hurricanes, having come through the club’s development system.
That includes this year’s New Zealand U20 contingent Will Cole, Logan Wallace, Mosese Bason, and Jai Tamati, as well as Hawke’s Bay loose forward Cooper Flanders, Wellington utility forward Matolu Petaia, and Manawatū outside back Drew Wild – all of whom have represented the Hurricanes’ age-grade or development teams.
Flanders was also called into the Hurricanes as a replacement player during last season, while Cole, Wallace, Bason, and Tamati were all on national development contracts with the club this year.
Elsewhere, Tongan international Taniela Filimone joins the WTG after playing for the Highlanders earlier this year, and former Australia U20 representative Taine Roiri has signed on after featuring for the Queensland Reds last year.
North Harbour prop Tony Tafa, Hawke’s Bay midfielder Anaru Paenga-Morgan, and Counties Manukau wing Josh Gray are the other inclusions in the WTG.
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is excited by the balance within the WTG as pre-season preparations begin to ramp up.
"A lot of players have been named in the WTG for the first time. It's a real mix between players who have played Super Rugby or a lot of NPC, to some players who are starting their careers,” Laidlaw said.
“We deliberately tried to do that, with an eye to having enough players ready if we need them at the start of the year, along with some players we can develop through the year as we continue to try and grow depth within the club.”
With all but two of the WTG players joining the Hurricanes from either Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, or Manawatū, Laidlaw noted the representation of players who have come from provinces within the club’s region.
“If you look at the makeup of our men, we’re quite excited to have a huge percentage come from our region,” he said.
“That was something we discussed. If it was a 50-50 and we thought we could keep them in our region, we thought it was important that we stay connected to our provinces and show players within our region that there’s a pathway to the Hurricanes.”
All 12 WTG members will assemble with the rest of the squad – excluding those involved in the All Blacks and All Blacks XV – for the first day of pre-season on Thursday, 27 November.
“We’re excited to name this group, which finalises all 50 players coming in for the year,” Laidlaw added.
“It’s a large group of players, but I think everyone understands that strength and depth, training well every day, and competition for places brings the best out of us, so we look forward to getting everyone in for pre-season.”
2026 HURRICANES WIDER TRAINING GROUP
Will Cole
Date of Birth: 1 July 2005 (20-years-old)
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Australia
Club: Havelock North
School: Rathkeale College
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Wairarapa
Position: First-Five
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 83kg
Playing History: Hawke’s Bay (2024), NZ Māori XV (2024), NZ U20 (2025)
Honours: Ranfurly Shield (2024), U20 Rugby Championship (2025)
Young playmaker Will Cole rejoins the Hurricanes as part of next year’s Wider Training Group. He has previously been involved in the club’s U18 and U20 setups and was on a development contract with the Hurricanes this year. Cole featured prominently for this year’s NZ U20 side, made his Hawke’s Bay debut last year in a Ranfurly Shield defence against King Country, and has represented the NZ Māori U18 and NZ Māori XV teams.
Taniela Filimone
Date of Birth: 1 June 1999 (26-years-old)
Place of Birth: Ha’apai, Tonga
Club: Kia Toa
School: Tupou College Toloa and Rotorua Boys’ High School
Villages: Ha’apai
Position: Utility Back
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 99kg
Playing History: Tonga U20 (2019), Tonga Sevens (2021), Manawatū (2021-present), New Zealand Barbarians (2021), New England Free Jacks (2023), New Orleans Gold (2024), Tonga (2024), Highlanders (2025)
Honours: Major League Rugby (2023)
A 2023 MLR champion with the New England Free Jacks, Taniela Filimone is a Tongan international who can play wing, midfield, and fullback. He made his test debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi last year after representing his nation’s sevens and U20 teams. He also played for the New Zealand Barbarians in 2021 – the same year he debuted for Manawatū in the NPC – and appeared four times for the Highlanders in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific.
Cooper Flanders
Date of Birth: 31 August 2003 (22-years-old)
Place of Birth: Hastings
Club: Havelock North
School: Hastings Boys’ High School
Position: Loose Forward
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 107kg
Playing History: NZ U20 (2023), Hawke’s Bay (2024-present)
Honours: Ranfurly Shield (2024)
Back rower Cooper Flanders joins older brother Devan in next year’s Hurricanes setup as a Wider Training Group member. A product of the club’s development system, Flanders has played for the Hurricanes U18 and U20 teams, and was used as a replacement player in the senior squad earlier this year. He has also played for the NZ Schools and NZ U20 sides, and has represented Hawke’s Bay since last year’s NPC.
Logan Wallace
Date of Birth: 1 September 2005 (20-years-old)
Place of Birth: Palmerston North
Club: Old Boys-Marist
School: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Iwi: Ngai Tahu
Position: Prop
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 115kg
Playing History: NZ U20 (2024-2025), Manawatū (2025-present)
Logan Wallace will continue his progress in the Hurricanes environment after signing a Wider Training Group deal for the 2026 season. Previously involved in the club’s U18 and development sides, the young front rower was a national development contract player for the Hurricanes this year. He has also played for the NZ Māori U18, NZ Schools, and NZ U20 teams, and made his NPC debut for Manawatū in September.
Mosese Bason
Date of Birth: 5 September 2005 (20-years-old)
Place of Birth: Tofoa, Tonga
Club: College Old Boys
School: Feilding High School
Villages: Mangia, Toula, Neiafu, Ofu
Position: Loose Forward
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 103kg
Playing History: NZ U20 (2024-2025), Manawatū (2024-present)
Honours: Super Rugby U20 MVP (2024), 2x U20 Rugby Championship (2024, 2025)
Young loose forward Mosese Bason follows in the footsteps of older brother Vernon by being named in next year’s Wider Training Group. An NZ U20 squad member for the past two years, Bason was the 2024 Super Rugby U20 MVP while playing for the Hurricanes U20. He has also represented the club’s U18 team, played for the NZ Schools side in 2023, and made his NPC debut for Manawatū at the age of 18 last year.
Tony Tafa
Date of Birth: 25 June 2003 (22-years-old)
Place of Birth: Apia, Samoa
Club: Massey
School: Kelston Boys’ High School
Villages: Fale’ula
Position: Prop
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 128kg
Playing History: North Harbour (2025-present)
Selected by the Hurricanes in this year’s Wider Training Group draft, North Harbour prop Tony Tafa provides the club with considerable size at prop. A former NZ Schools and NZ Barbarians U18 representative between 2020 and 2021, Tafa also featured for the Blues U18 and U20 teams, and played rugby league for the Warriors U18 side. He made his NPC debut for North Harbour against Manawatū in August.
Jai Tamati
Date of Birth: 31 May 2005 (20-years-old)
Place of Birth: Christchurch
Club: Palmerston North Old Boys Marist
School: Rotorua Boys’ High School
Iwi: Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato
Position: Halfback
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 76kg
Playing History: NZ U20 (2025), Manawatū (2025-present)
Honours: U20 Rugby Championship (2025)
Promising halfback Jai Tamati earns a spot in next year’s Hurricanes Wider Training Group after coming through the club’s development system. Tamati has represented both the NZ Schools and NZ U20 teams, and played for the Hurricanes U20 side over the past two seasons, before making his NPC debut for Manawatū two months ago.
Matolu Petaia
Date of Birth: 9 April 2004 (21-year-old)
Place of Birth: Porirua
Club: Tawa
Schools: Porirua College, Rongotai College, Hastings Boys’ High School
Villages: Lepea, Saleamua
Position: Utility Forward
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 114kg
Playing History: Wellington (2024-present)
Honours: NPC (2024)
Providing cover at lock and No. 8, Wellington utility forward Matolu Petaia brings title-winning pedigree to next year’s Wider Training Group after featuring in Wellington’s successful NPC campaign last year. In total, Petaia has made 12 NPC appearances for the Lions, and has played for the Hurricanes at U18 and U20 level.
Anaru Paenga-Morgan
Date of Birth: 26 January 2003 (22-years-old)
Place of Birth: Hamilton
Club: Napier Pirates
School: Gisborne Boys’ High School, St Paul’s Collegiate
Iwi: Ngāti Konohi, Ngai Tamanuhiri
Position: Midfielder
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 101kg
Playing History: NZ Māori XV (2024), NZ Universities (2025), Hawke’s Bay (2025-present)
Picked by the Hurricanes in the Wider Training Group draft, Hawke’s Bay midfielder Anaru Paenga-Morgan joins the club after featuring regularly for the Magpies during this year’s NPC. A standout age-grade Waka Ama paddler while growing up, Paenga-Morgan played for the Hurricanes Hunters, NZ Māori XV, and NZ Universities teams before making his NPC debut against Northland in August.
Drew Wild
Date of Birth: 14 July 2000 (25-years-old)
Place of Birth: Feilding
Club: Feilding Yellows
School: Bulls School and Feilding High School
Position: Outside Back
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 86kg
Playing History: Manawatū (2019-present), New Zealand Barbarians (2021), Houston Sabercats (2022-2025)
Capable of playing fullback, wing, and first-five, Drew Wild joins the Hurricanes as a stalwart for Manawatū in the NPC and the Houston Sabercats in Major League Rugby. A standout at the recent Ignite 7s, Wild has more than 50 caps for the Turbos in the NPC, and has represented the Hurricanes U18, U20, and Hunters teams.
Taine Roiri
Date of Birth: 10 March 2002 (23-years-old)
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Australia
Club: Sunnybank Dragons
School: John Paul College
Iwi: Ngāti Raukawa
Position: Lock
Height: 1.99m
Weight: 121kg
Playing History: Reds (2024), Manawatū (2025-present)
Former Australia U20 representative Taine Roiri returns home to the Hurricanes region. Born in Brisbane to parents who hail from Levin, Roiri played for the Queensland Reds last year, making an appearance against Tonga in Nuku’alofa. He moved to New Zealand earlier this year to sign with Manawatū, and impressed for the Turbos in the recent NPC.
Josh Gray
Date of Birth: 18 April 1999 (26-years-old)
Place of Birth: Auckland
Club: Patumahoe Rugby Club
School: Sacred Heart College
Villages: Saleufi, Fusi, Safotulafai, Sasina, Satuimalufilufi
Position: Wing
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 92kg
Playing History: Counties Manukau (2019, 2023-present), NZ Barbarians (2023)
Counties Manukau wing Josh Gray shifts south to link up with the Hurricanes as part of next year’s Wider Training Group. He has made 28 NPC appearances for the Steelers since his 2019 debut and played for the NZ Barbarians against the NZ Heartland XV in 2023.
