Hurricanes sign Oliver Haig for new season
Defending Super Rugby Pacific champions, the Hurricanes have signed Oliver Haig to join their squad for the 2027 season.
A loose forward who is also lock option, Haig is moving from the Highlanders to Wellington.
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“I’m excited to be joining the Hurricanes in 2027. They’re a quality team with great coaches and players who all look like they play with enjoyment and passion. I look forward to going up to Wellington and getting stuck in,” said Haig.
Born in Perth and raised in the England, Haig relocated to Dunedin as a 14-year-old and established himself as a top prospect while representing Otago Boys’ High School, during which time he was named in the 2020 New Zealand Barbarians U18 side.
The 24-year-old progressed to the New Zealand U20 team in 2022, winning the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship title in Australia alongside future Hurricanes teammates Peter Lakai, Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu, Harry Godfrey, and Jone Rova.
Later that year, Haig made his NPC debut with Otago. He has since made 33 appearances for the province and was part of last year’s side that clinched the Ranfurly Shield in a famous win over Canterbury and reached the NPC final.
In 2023, Haig was called into the Highlanders as injury cover and made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Western Force. He was elevated to a full contract the following year and went on to play 32 times for the club through until last season.
Haig’s performances for the Highlanders earned him selection for the All Blacks XV in 2024. While with the national development side, he featured in a win over Munster and provided injury cover for the All Blacks ahead of a test against Japan in Yokohama.
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is looking forward to having Haig in next season’s squad after he played under assistant coaches Cory Jane and Jamie Mackintosh while with the All Blacks XV.
"When the team lost a number of players that had Super Rugby experience, it was important that we brought some players in who are ready for Super Rugby and are able to play from round one,” said Laidlaw.
“That makes the opportunity to bring Oli here really exciting. He’s played a number of games for the Highlanders and represented the All Blacks XV, where he probably played his best rugby that caught our attention.
“Both CJ and Whoppa worked with him at the All Blacks XV and they rated his ability to play at that level, so we think he can really add to the team. He fits the game style we want to play in the loose forwards and we see him as somebody that can hit the ground running and add to the group for 2027.”
