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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
From Barrett to Naholo: Laidlaw outlines Hurricanes’ key calls ahead of new season
Stephen Foote • January 14th, 2026 1:15 pm
Clark Laidlaw | Photo: Photosport
You can hear the enthusiasm seeping down the phone line as Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw discusses the return of stalwart Jordie Barrett.
After missing last season to take an OE of sorts with Irish club Leinster, the 78-Test All Black will be back at Sky Stadium in the familiar yellow and black in 2026, as the capital-based side looks to improve on last year's encouraging campaign.
Laidlaw says the impact of that homecoming has already been keenly felt, Barrett signalling his intent by shirking the option of extra rest to get back on the paddock for the early stages of the squad's pre-season training ahead of their season-opener against Moana Pasifika on February 20.
"He's a genuine, world-class player, so he's quite helpful to have a really good player like him back in the mix," Laidlaw told Sport Nation.
"He's been in training the last week and a half. Him coming back in early shows his hunger to come in and make an impact within the group.
"His maturity, his communication, his voice. You can really feel that in training."
The question now becomes - how - and perhaps more importantly, where - does Laidlaw plan to use his linchpin utility on the field?
The Canes backline thrived in '25, unearthing some new talent in Riley Higgins, who established a formidable midfield tandem with All Black Billy Proctor, while Brett Cameron (when healthy) took command at first-five, and Ruben Love's stocks soared in the custodian role.
Jordie Barrett | Photo: Photosport
Given Barrett's exceptional versatility, Laidlaw has plenty of options, primary of which would be a reunion with Proctor or a shift back to fullback.
With the development Laidlaw has seen from Love at the pivot last year and during the pre-season, he hints at Love vacating the No. 15 jersey to shift to first-five, freeing Barrett up to replace him at fullback.
"We'd definitely consider it," he said of Barrett at fullback. "We've not got as far as that around having those deep charts around where they might play.
"Ruben can play 10, obviously. Brett Cameron plays 10. Rubin plays 15. Jordan can play 15 and 12. As you say, he's certainly played a number of positions for Leinster last season. So, we're very open to that thought.
"Ruben trained a lot with the All Blacks at 10 and even watching him train last week, I can see a real sharpness when he was... When he was in there at 10.
"It'll be a good battle to see who gets that starting spot at 10, and who's in the midfield and who's at the back will go alongside it."
Ruben Love | Photo: Photosport
The Hurricanes showed flashes of brilliance last year before being edged by the Brumbies in Canberra in the qualifying final, signs they could be among the best teams in the competition when the squad is healthy and fully available.
One key weapon in that regard was wing Kini Naholo, who was entering All Black selection discussions until a knee injury brought a cruel end to a head-turning string of devastating performances.
Laidlaw reveals Naholo is ahead of schedule for his comeback to the field and expects to have him available as early as the team's home opener, although more likely for the ensuing road trip to face the Fijian Drua and Waratahs.
Alongside flanker Brad Shields and first-five Harry Godfrey, Naholo is scheduled to head across the ditch to undergo a 'pitch-ready test' used commonly within the AFL to provide a detailed strength and power profile of his injured knee, and they're confident he should pass that test with flying colours.
Kini Naholo | Photo: Photosport
And further to Barrett, another homecoming Laidlaw is enjoying is the familiar face of Jason Holland, who'll join Laidlaw in the coach's box as an assistant after parting ways with the All Blacks last year.
Once Holland had decided to move on from Scott Robertson's set-up, Laidlaw wasted no time securing his services in what's been a seamless return to the fold in Wellington.
"When he finished up with the All Blacks, we had a really good conversation, and we're just loving having him in.
"His clarity of thought, his conviction in his ideas, his experience, and he's a Hurricane, which has made it really easy for all of us.
"He's been able to make an impact immediately, not only with the players, but with us as coaches. His ability to share his ideas and thoughts brings a real experience and depth and knowledge to our coaching group.
"We're enjoying it and he seems to be really enjoying himself."
The Hurricanes begin their pre-season against the Chiefs in Porirua on February 7.
