The Hurricanes will look to capitalise on their incoming talent in 2021, with a handful of younger players joining a well-established squad.
Following 2020 co-captain TJ Perenara’s departure for Japan, new recruit Luke Campbell will be competing with Jonathan Taumateine for the first-choice halfback role.
Twenty-five-year-old Campbell, who’s been plying his trade for Bay of Plenty, grew up in Wellington and says it’s a surreal homecoming.
“It’s hard to describe how it feels, but it really is a dream come true. The decision was an easy one, being from Wellington I grew up supporting this team and always wanted an opportunity to be a part of it.”
The Hurricanes have also added 19-year-old Ruben Love to their backline depth, after a successful debut Mitre 10 Cup season with the Wellington Lions.
Love hails from the Manawatu, where he made a name for himself as an up-and-coming athlete playing 1st XV rugby and 1st XI Cricket at Palmerston North Boys’ High [PNBHS], and representing New Zealand at age-grade level in both codes.
His former high school coach, Blair Van Stipriaan says Love possesses “freakish” physical attributes and a desire to “outwork everyone”.
“He’s an awesome young man and as a school and as a 1st XV community, we are massively proud of what he has achieved. His former teammates will all say to you that none of this is unexpected. He has worked hard to get to where he is and will not rest on his laurels and his signing will be a trigger for him to work harder still.
Another PNBHS alumni, Brayden Iose, has been on the cusp of a Super Rugby debut for three years and now joins the squad on a fulltime contract.
The loose forward’s talents have led him down a path which gave him access to experience in the Hurricanes U18s, U20s and the Hunters.
“It’s crazy, all through school I looked up to these guys and now they’re my teammates. There are outstanding loosies at the Hurricanes and I’m really excited to learn off them and grow my game by working alongside them.”
Alongside the injection of youth and new faces, the Hurricanes also welcome back one of their most-experienced players, Julian Savea. The former All Blacks wing has played over 100 games for the franchise and returns home to Wellington after spending the last three seasons playing in France.