Ereatara Enari to depart Hurricanes at end of season

The Hurricanes can confirm that Ereatara Enari will join Welsh club Dragons following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific.

Enari remains available and fully committed to the Hurricanes throughout the 2026 campaign, where he will play a key role both on and off the field.

The 28-year-old halfback was first named in the Hurricanes squad in November 2024 and has gone on to make 22 appearances and score two tries for the club. 

Prior to his time with the Hurricanes, Enari played 33 times for Moana Pasifika and was part of five title-winning Crusaders teams.

At provincial level, he has played 40 matches each for Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay since 2016. While with Canterbury, Enari won two NPC titles and claimed the Ranfurly Shield twice.

Internationally, Enari has made nine appearances for Samoa and featured at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and won a World Rugby U20 Championship and two Oceania Rugby U20 Championships with the New Zealand U20 side between 2016 and 2017.

“Firstly, I want to say how blessed and grateful we are that God brought Ella and I to the Hurricanes family for the past two seasons. It truly is one of the greatest team environments I’ve been a part of,” Enari said.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling to be leaving an environment that provides such a safe space for both of us and a lot of joy both on and off the field, but we’ve been praying for God to open doors overseas and here we are.

“After 10 years of my career in New Zealand, it’s time for a new challenge in a foreign environment and we are definitely not closing the door on New Zealand for good. It’s such a privilege to serve this team, and the main goal between now and July is to finish the job in front of us for our people.”

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw paid tribute to Enari, noting his contribution to the club since joining two years ago.

“Ere is an ultimate team man, hugely selfless, a man that has high values, high work ethic, and is playing some very good rugby,” Laidlaw said.

“He came in a couple of years ago when TJ Perenara left and we were looking for somebody to call on alongside Cam and the team. 

“I think the performance against the Blues sums up how good we think he is. We’ve got a huge amount of trust and belief in his ability, and everybody else got to see that on Saturday.

“We wish him and his partner Ella all the best in their next adventure.”