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Hurricanes reveal list of eight departing players
By Ned Lester
The Hurricanes have revealed their list of departing players for 2025, which includes the already announced exit of Peter Umaga-Jensen, along with seven others.
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Having bowed out of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs in the qualifying finals, the team are now in offseason mode as they look to build a young squad into champions.
That process will have to be undertaken without the services of Umaga-Jensen, who has read the lay of the land and chosen his moment to pick up a contract in Japan.
With the impending return of recently crowned URC champion Jordie Barrett, along with the emergence of rising All Blacks XV star Riley Higgins, Umaga-Jensen’s position is well covered.
Outside of the lone departing midfielder, the list of leavers is youthful, with a particular surprise being found in the second row. Zach Gallagher, the 23-year-old lock with All Blacks XV experience from 2022, will leave the Wellington club after just one season.
Gallagher was lured north from the Crusaders and quickly proved to be the fittest forward in the Wellington group when the preseason bronco was run.
It was Gallagher who drew the most attention from Hurricanes fans online when this list was released, given his impressive form in the engine room throughout an injury-riddled 2025.
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The complete list of Hurricanes departures is:
- Zach Gallagher – #324 (9 caps)
- Peter Umaga-Jensen – #252 (54 caps)
- Will Tucker – #320 (7 caps)
- Riley Hohepa – #308, (12 caps)
- Daniel Sinkinson – #309 (6 caps)
- Kade Banks – #321 (2 caps)
- Lucas Cashmore
- Josh Taula
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said, “We would like to acknowledge the players that are leaving. They have all contributed to the club in 2025, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours.
“I will also make special mention of Peter Umaga-Jensen. Peter has been a fantastic player for us, and we hope that Japan is a great experience for him and his young family.”
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Right, no Naholo on this list. Revealed to be leaving a while ago though, or is his name not there now because he resigned? Out for a year and so Japanese clubs delete any contracts of course, was trying to now stay in NZ and a couple of teams interested. Maybe they just didn’t name him because they didn’t yet know if he was going to sign with someone else, main thing is it means they want him for one more year or he had been reported as leaving so long ago it wasn’t thought to include him on this list.
Should be Hurricanes best year yet, in 30 years, next year. Josh Moorby released from his contract should be a big target, Fehi looks breakout rookie of year potential, Banks should be better after another NPC season, Viljeon only got two games this year compared to four last for some strange reason, he should be a dynamite backup next year. Other 22 yo’s like Tjay Clark, Higgins, Godfrey, Rova all look very promising too. Obviously Barrett will be back. Roigard-Love-Harkin looks like it could be the most devastating spine in club rugby. Cameron as a really solid back 10 or bench player.
Gallagher is a real loss, as while the back row might have the talent of these potent backline stars, I don’t feel the tight five has the same ceiling. Certainly got enough to win a SR title but could they struggle in a World Club Championship against bigger teams than Chiefs and Crusaders/Blues?
Plenty of quality props but the locking stocks are a concern. Losing sangster and gallagher in consecutive years is a big blow. IWL started slow and when he started to look like he did last year he got a couple of head knocks and then the knee injury. Rumors are warner dearns will be coming in but he is the power lock they need? I’m not so sure.
Cashmore staying in NZ hopefully.
There are parts missing from the Gallagher story but how is a young up and comer of his caliber allowed to be let go by nzr?? The guy is only 23. While Mark Robinson spent and spent and spent on rubbish our players continue to head overseas for more money.
He is shorter lock which I don’t mind but a bit lead footed as well looks plays almost more like a prop kind of in the Brad Thorn mode without the athleticism or swagger ..am I being harsh?
He only signed for one year with the Canes. I suspect at some stage he’s coming back home in the continued pursuit of his ABs dream.