The Hurricanes may have crashed out of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs with another loss to the Brumbies, but 2025 may have much more in store for the team’s top talent.
Established All Blacks Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, and Cam Roigard are sure to feature for the national side in the upcoming international season, while lesser-experienced players like Peter Lakai, Billy Proctor and Ruben Love have shown growth and made compelling cases for re-selection.
Outside of the capped cohort is a player whose name is on the tip of every Kiwi rugby fan’s tongue ahead of the All Blacks squad naming on June 23: Du’Plessis Kirifi.
The Hurricanes’ co-captain has been in sublime form in 2025, picking up where he left off in a 2024 campaign that saw him put in two inspirational performances as captain of the All Blacks XV before joining the top squad as injury cover.
Former Hurricanes flyer Cory Jane now oversees the side’s defence, and hopes to see a good few of his men named for what will be a star-studded France series.
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“There are guys in our team who have competed really, really well. The most standout from our squad has probably been Dupes (Kirifi),” the assistant coach told Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB.
“I think he’s been outstanding as a player, but also as a leader. So, fingers crossed for him, because he deserves it.”
There’ll be plenty of fans from the Wellington region and beyond who agree with Jane, but the Hurricanes’ elimination means Kirifi will have no further chances to push for selection, unlike his counterparts in the Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders.
Selectors have made it clear that the knockout stages carry extra weight when push comes to shove, given the additional pressure and spotlight of the fixtures.
Jane was “gutted” to see his side fall short and for his men to be denied another opportunity to press their respective cases.
“We trained well, I thought we came over here with a good mindset to come over and win. Disappointed that we weren’t able to.
“There were moments when we looked alright, and then moments when we gave them what they’re really, really good at, and that’s set piece inside our 22. And the Brumbies took advantage of it.
“We did a bit of stats, a bit of analysis on their strengths and a lot of it was off lineout, set piece, especially once we get down into the 22, close to the goal line, that’s where they live.
“I thought we did a good job at stopping them around the middle of the field, nailing that part, and then we allowed them too much access to get to their strengths, which is their maul, pick and goes, being physical. That was through not catching our kickoffs a few times, and then just stupid penalties that let them in there, and we made life hard for ourselves.”
The 55-time All Black said the coaching group would review the loss in due time “to get a feel for what went wrong”, but looking ahead to a 2026 season which will see the return of URC final-bound Jordie Barrett is an exciting prospect.
“That’s the pleasing side of things. They are young, and we are building. It’s about trying to get better as coaches, trying to be better as players.
“Obviously, there’s a small window in Super Rugby, we’ve just got to continue to grow our players and us as coaches.
“Hopefully next year we can be better, because there’s a bit of talent in the squad.”
