Hurricanes recruit prop from Highlanders
The Hurricanes have recuited prop Rohan Wingham from the Highlanders on a two-year deal from next season..
Wingham joins the Hurricanes following three seasons with the Highlanders and is set to add competition and versatility to the club’s well-stocked front row contingent.
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"I’m excited to be joining the Hurricanes in 2027. It’s a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some quality players and coaches, be part of a new environment, and to experience a new place,” said Wingham.
A powerful prop who can play on both sides of the scrum, Wingham came through the ranks in Dunedin, where he attended King’s High School. He was the school’s first New Zealand Schools representative in 23 years when he made the team in 2020 alongside fellow Hurricanes Fehi Fineanganofo, Harry Godfrey, and Siale Lauaki.
The 23-year-old continued his development with the Highlanders U20 side in 2021 and represented North Otago in the Heartland Championship the following year.
Wingham made his NPC debut with Otago in 2023 and has since played 38 times for the province. He started in last year’s historic Ranfurly Shield win over Canterbury and featured regularly in Otago’s run to the 2025 NPC final.
In 2024, Wingham made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes and made a total of eight appearances for the club.
Regarded as a promising youngster with plenty of potential, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is eager to add Wingham to a cohort of props that also features All Blacks quartet Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, and Siale Lauaki.
"Rohan’s a young prop, plays both sides of the scrum, and already has Super Rugby experience,” Laidlaw said.
“With our strong track record of producing quality props, we really feel like we can help develop him through our props who he can learn from and compete against, as well as through Jamie Mackintosh and his coaching.
“He's a great addition to a strong area of the team. We look forward to him coming here and competing with those boys and putting his best foot forward during pre-season.”
