Young gun Peter Lakai recommits to Hurricanes

Peter Lakai has re-signed with the Hurricanes for a further three seasons through until the end of 2027, on the back of a campaign that saw him named as one of the Canes’ players of the season.

This season he appeared for the Wellington-based outfit 15 times and touched down for five tries. The loose forward was an integral part of the team that topped the table and finished with 12 wins and only two defeats.

Lakai said he was happy to recommit to the side recognising the impact the side has had on his development.

“I was born in Auckland, but moved here when I was young, so Wellington is home, the Hurricanes is home. I spent a lot of my childhood supporting the Canes so to run out each week in the jersey means a lot.”

The 21-year-old came up in the Hurricanes development system, debuting for the Wellington provincial side at the age of 18 back in 2021, before going on to make seven appearances for the New Zealand Under-20s.

Hurricanes head coach Clarke Laidlaw was the coach then Lakai played for the U20s side, stating how impressed he was by the young loose forward’s maturity beyond his years.

“Peter is an impressive athlete, but more-so as a person he shows great humility and maturity for someone so young,” Laidlaw said.

“He’s had three years in the U20 system and with the Hurricanes which has helped him to develop his game on and off the field, and his performances for the team are a by-product of the work which he has done.”

Darren Larsen, the Hurricanes; Recruitment and Development Manager, believes Lakai is a fitting example of the franchise’s development programme at work.

“The Hurricanes Pathways Programme is designed to development people first and then rugby players – on field success comes from their development as young men first. Peter has the foundations to go on to become a great Hurricane and help inspire the next generation.”

Despite his success Lakai acknowledges that he still has room to improve as a player.

“It’s a constant learning curve, the players in our team have so much experience and talent, so you can’t help but want to learn and grow areas of your game,” Lakai admitted.

With a key component of their loose forward trio locked in for another three years, the Hurricanes will now look to next season to go one further than their semi-final effort against the Chiefs.