The Hurricanes have announced the signing of Kiwi-born Japanese lock Warner Dearns for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Originally born in Wellington, Dearns will return home for the first time in his pro career after moving to Japan at age 14.
The coup comes a week after announcing the departure of a handful of players, including promising lock prospects Zach Gallagher, Will Tuala and versatile Will Tucker.
The arrival of Dearns will be a major boost for the Hurricanes and offset the loss of the young locks.
The capped international brings championship pedigree as a two-time League One champion in Japan with Toshiba Brave Lupus, having won the last two titles alongside Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join the Hurricanes and take on a new challenge in Super Rugby. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as a player and giving everything I have for the jersey,” Dearns, who plays for the Toshiba Brave Lupus club in Japan, said.
“I’m also incredibly grateful to Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo for supporting me in taking on this challenge in 2026.”
At just 23-years-old, Dearns already has 21 caps for Japan after making his debut in 2021. The 6 ft 8 lock brings dynamic athleticism to the Canes second row and will no doubt be a force in Super Rugby.
“It’s really exciting news for the club to sign an international lock in Warner,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“He’s a young Kiwi guy who’s plying his trade in Japan. His family moved up there, he’s qualified for Japan, and he’s taking a sabbatical from Toshiba. He had a lot of interest, not just in New Zealand, but around the world, so for him to choose to join the Hurricanes is really exciting.
“Warner has family ties to the Hurricanes region – his sisters live in Wellington, his mum’s the chief executive of Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union, his dad has been involved with Hawke’s Bay in the NPC – so there’s a lot of connection to the club.”
