Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw extends deal through to 2027 season

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the Wellington-based club through to the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The deal will see the Scotsman extend his tenure to a fourth season at the Hurricanes, having joined in 2024 after a successful stint as coach of the All Blacks Sevens.

In his two full seasons so far, Laidlaw has led the Hurricanes to a semi-final and a qualifying final. They currently sit top of the Super Rugby standings after five rounds, although they’re yet to play a New Zealand derby.

Laidlaw said it was an easy decision to put pen to paper on a new deal.

“It’s a huge honour and privilege to continue serving the club. I really feel like I’m at home here.

“We play a brand of rugby that really fits with my thinking on the game, and we’re building a squad and a club with new owners and new leadership, and I feel I really align with how they see it, so that was a big part of my decision to stay.

“The identity of the team and the way we want to play the game is something I really align with as well. Between the new leadership and the style of game we want to play, and the players, coaches and management we’ve got, it was a pretty easy decision.”

Before his appointment as Hurricanes head coach, Laidlaw was an assistant coach at the club between 2013 and 2015. He also held other roles, including working with London Irish, New Zealand U20, Samoa and Taranaki.

Interim Hurricanes chief executive Tony Philp was thrilled to secure Laidlaw’s services for another season.

“We’re excited that Clark has signed on with the Hurricanes until 2027.

“He’s a Hurricane through and through, and we couldn’t be prouder that he’s staying next season to continue to embed what it means to be a Hurricane.”

The announcement means Laidlaw at the Hurricanes, Jono Gibbes at the Chiefs and Jamie Joseph at the Highlanders are the only New Zealand-based coaches signed beyond this season.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney agreed to a one-year extension last year after leading them to Super Rugby glory, while the Blues are still searching for a new coach after Vern Cotter left at the end of last season to join the Reds.

Moana Pasifika are likely to need a new coach too, with Tana Umaga confirming talks about linking up with new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.

The Hurricanes face the Highlanders on Friday night.