Meet the Hurricanes players who have picked up a fulltime Investec Super Rugby contract for the first time in 2019.

Salesi Rayasi

DOB: 25/09/96

Position: Wing

Mitre 10 Cup team: Auckland

The scoop: One of the breakout stars of Auckland’s Mitre 10 Cup Premiership success this year, flying wing Salesi Rayasi returns to his hometown of Wellington to play his first season of Super Rugby. Rayasi started the season as a devastating finisher for the All Blacks Sevens and ended it as a rising star of the fifteens game. In 11 games for Auckland, Rayasi crossed for nine tries, made 22 clean breaks and beat 43 defenders to underline his game-breaking danger.

Billy Proctor

DOB: 14/05/99

Position: Mid-field

Mitre 10 Cup team: Wellington

The scoop: Younger brother of Hurricanes stalwart and one-Test All Black Matt Proctor, 19-year-old Billy Proctor has signed onto the Hurricanes for an unprecedented five years. That alone tells a story of the talent and immense promise the younger Proctor brother possesses. Even though still a teenager, Proctor has impressed across 13 games for the Wellington Lions at Mitre 10 Cup level and will be itching to test his skills at Super Rugby level. A potential mid-field pairing with brother Matt could be a real fairy-tale moment if it happens in 2019.

Fraser Armstrong

DOB: 18/04/92

Position: Prop

Mitre 10 Cup team: Manawatu

The scoop: Although 2019 will be the first time Armstrong has appeared as a fulltime member of the Hurricanes squad, he made nine appearances in 2018 after being called into the squad as injury cover. A towering presence at 1.93cm and 127kg, Armstrong is an immensely powerful scrummager and brings plenty of experience after playing for Waikato, Auckland and Manawatu at Mitre 10 Cup level.

Liam Mitchell

DOB: 10/10/95

Position: Lock/Loose Forward

Mitre 10 Cup team: Manawatu

The scoop: Versatile and athletic, Palmerston North product Liam Mitchell has been rewarded with his first Super Rugby contract after an impressive season with the Manawatu Turbos. Able to cover both lock and loose forward, Mitchell offers great ability at lineout time and athleticism around the park.  

Du’Plessis Kirifi

DOB: 03/03/97

Position: Loose forward

Mitre 10 Cup team: Wellington

The scoop: An openside flanker in a similar mould to Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi made huge strides for Wellington during the Mitre 10 Cup this year. Tenacious, physical and strong over the ball, Kirifi is the archetypal modern day flanker and comes with a reputation as a hard worker on and off the field. A product of Francis Douglas Memorial College, Kirifi will join fellow old boys Ricky Riccitelli, Beauden Barrett and Jordie Barrett in the squad for 2019.

Richard Judd

DOB: 18/05/92

Position: Halfback

Mitre 10 Cup team: Bay of Plenty

The scoop: A capable performer on the Mitre 10 Cup stage for a number of years, Richard Judd’s consistency has seen him pick up fulltime Super Rugby contract for the first time in 2019. Judd excelled for Bay of Plenty in the Mitre 10 Cup and his battle with Brad Weber in the one-point thriller against Hawke’s Bay was one of the head-to-head battles of the season. With a cool, calm demeanour and strong core skills, Judd is likely to add to his three Hurricanes caps in 2019.

Credit: Super Rugby NZ

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