Warner Dearns starts for the Hurricanes
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The Hurricanes have named their team for their season-opening Super Rugby Pacific match against Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium, Wellington on Friday, proudly delivered by Fiso Group.
The side features three new caps, including a starting debut for Japan captain Warner Dearns.
He is set to be accompanied in making his maiden Hurricanes appearance by loose forward Arese Poliko and wider training group utility forward Matolu Petaia, both of whom have been named on the bench.
The soon-to-be-capped trio headlines this week’s lineup, which includes Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, and Siale Lauaki in the front row.
Hugo Plummer partners Dearns in the second row, while All Blacks loose forward Peter Lakai will play his first match of the year after being named at openside flanker in a back row that has Devan Flanders at blindside flanker and Brayden Iose at No 8.
In the backline, Ereatara Enari and Brett Cameron start at halfback and first-five, respectively.
Jordie Barrett captains the side from second-five, and Josh Moorby has been named at right wing, in what will be the first Hurricanes match for both players since 2024.
Barrett joins centre Bailyn Sullivan in the midfield, and Moorby forms a back three with left wing Fehi Fineanganofo and fullback Callum Harkin.
On the bench, Poliko and Petaia are named alongside All Blacks pair Cam Roigard and Billy Proctor, both of whom are in line for their first matches of the year.
Elsewhere, Brad Shields has recovered from a finger injury to earn a spot in the reserves, while Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, and Tevita Mafileo will provide cover for the front row.
“It’s an exciting week to name our first team for our first home game of the year,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“After having to sit and watch the competition last week, it’s exciting to finally get a chance play live in front of our home supporters.
“It was a huge crowd against Moana last year, so hopefully we can create that again and put in a performance that gets our fans excited and gets them coming back for the rest of the season.”
Born in Wellington and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Dearns is primed to play his first official Hurricanes match since it was announced that he would join the club from reigning Japanese champions Toshiba Brave Lupus on a season-long sabbatical deal last June.
Capable of covering every position across the back row, Poliko’s imminent debut comes in his second season with the Hurricanes.
His selection caps a unique journey to Super Rugby Pacific. Born in Australia, Poliko moved to Samoa at 12 and grew up playing football. He didn’t play rugby until he was 15, before earning a rugby scholarship to Menzies College in Southland at 16.
Petaia, meanwhile, is expected to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut after he was picked by the Hurricanes in last year’s wider training group draft.
The 21-year-old is capable of playing lock, blindside flanker, and No 8, and has two seasons of NPC experience with Wellington.
“The debutants are all a bit different. Warner has just arrived and is an exciting addition to the squad. He’s fitted in really well and we’re excited to get him into the competition and start growing his game,” Laidlaw said.
“Matolu’s come in from the wider training group probably earlier than he expected, but with a few niggles up front, he gets his chance.
“We’ve been really impressed by his work ethic and his physicality through the pre-season, so he gets an opportunity off the bench.
“Arese was here all of last year. He’s had to show some real patience, but I think the whole team can’t wait to watch him play.
“He’s a really good guy on and off the field, he’s had a strong two NPCs behind him with Taranaki, and we expect him to come on and make an impact.
“All three of them have had slightly different routes to get on the field, but we’re all really looking forward to watching them make their debuts.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match at Sky Stadium is scheduled for 7:05pm, with doors open from 5:30pm, and is proudly brought to you by Fiso Group.
Based in Wellington, Fiso Investment Group focuses on strategic investments and commercial operations across a range of industries, including health and wellness, education, hospitality, and property development.
They have worked with many companies that are well-known in the Hurricanes region, including Whitby Collegiate, Bodyhaven, Fiso Engineering and Aerospace, Pacific Health Plus, and more.
The Hurricanes are excited to have them on as our official match day sponsor for our first match of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Hurricanes are also excited to have New Zealand music legend, Frankie Stevens, as MC for Friday’s match, and Porirua all-girl pop group A.R.T performing at half-time alongside Tautua Dance Academy.
Tickets for the match are on sale here.
HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY MOANA PASIFIKA (Hurricanes caps in brackets)
- Xavier Numia (76)
- Asafo Aumua (75)
- Siale Lauaki (4)
- Hugo Plummer (8)
- Warner Dearns (debut)
- Devan Flanders (56)
- Peter Lakai (37)
- Brayden Iose (51)
- Ereatara Enari (12)
- Brett Cameron (24)
- Fehi Fineanganofo (12)
- Jordie Barrett (111 – captain)
- Bailyn Sullivan (40)
- Josh Moorby (38)
- Callum Harkin (10)
- Jacob Devery (17)
- Pouri Rakete-Stones (52)
- Tevita Mafileo (57)
- Matolu Petaia (debut)
- Brad Shields (128)
- Arese Poliko (debut)
- Cam Roigard (47)
- Billy Proctor (68)
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY
Isaia Walker-Leawere (calf): 1 week
Caleb Delany (calf): 2 weeks
Du’Plessis Kirifi (calf): 2 weeks
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Ruben Love (ankle): 4-6 weeks
Josh Timu (foot): 7-9 weeks
Kini Naholo (knee): 2-4 weeks
