Hurricanes announce the arrival of Warner Dearns for 2026

Back-to-back League One winner Warner Dearns will join Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Hurricanes for the 2026 season, the club announced on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Toshiba Brave Lupus and Japan star will joins on a one-year deal and will then return to his Fuchu-based parent club ahead of the 2026-2027 season.

Dearns, who turned down offers in France to return to his native Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Super Rugby Pacific for the first time in his flourishing career.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join the Hurricanes and take on a new challenge in Super Rugby,” said Dearns.  

Picture courtesy of JRLO

The towering 6ft 8in lock grew up in Hawke’s Bay before moving to Japan during his second year of junior high school when his father Grant was a strength and conditioning coach at NEC Green Rockets.

Dearns has been an integral member of Toshiba’s League One title wins in 2024 and 2025 while also impressing during his 21 caps for Japan.  

"I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as a player and giving everything I have for the jersey," he added.

“I’m also incredibly grateful to Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo for supporting me in taking on this challenge in 2026.”

Picture courtesy of JRFU

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is excited by Dearns’ homecoming.

“It’s really exciting news for the club to sign an international lock in Warner.

“He’s a young Kiwi guy who’s plying his trade in Japan. His family moved up there, he’s qualified for Japan, and he’s taking a sabbatical from Toshiba. He had a lot of interest, not just in New Zealand, but around the world, so for him to choose to join the Hurricanes is really exciting.

“Warner has family ties to the Hurricanes region – his sisters live in Wellington, his mum’s the chief executive of Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union, his dad has been involved with Hawke’s Bay in the NPC – so there’s a lot of connection to the club.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming him when he comes after the November tests. He’s an exceptional athlete. He’s got a good set piece, particularly at the lineout, as well as around the field, so we think he can really add to our game.

“Warner’s also experienced around the world, in Japan and international rugby, so he’ll be really valuable as we build the team towards next season.”

Dearns is currently part of the Brave Blossoms training squad who are preparing for fixtures against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday and two Test matches against Wales in July.