One-test All Blacks first-five Brett Cameron signs with Hurricanes

Former All Blacks first-five Brett Cameron will return to Super Rugby next year after signing a two-year deal with the Hurricanes.

Cameron missed this year’s Super Rugby Pacific after signing a one-season contract with the Kamaishi Seawaves in the newly-formed Japan Rugby League One after years of riding the bench at the Crusaders behind All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga.

However, the one-test international – whose sole test match came against Japan in 2018 – has returned to New Zealand and will turn out for the Hurricanes over the next two campaigns.

A standout in his debut season for Manawatu in last year’s NPC, Cameron said he is stoked to join the Hurricanes as he prepares for his second year with the Turbos after guiding the Seawaves to a fifth-placed finish in the second division of League One.

“I’m stoked to be joining the Hurricanes for the 2023 season. Being from Whanganui, the Hurricanes are the team I grew up supporting, and I’ve always loved the way they play,” Cameron said via a statement.

“I’ve been speaking to some of the guys in the team, and it’s exciting to hear the direction the club is heading in from a culture perspective, so I’m just really excited to get amongst it and see what the team is all about.”

Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland added that he was eager to bring the 25-year-old on board as one of three first-fives, alongside young duo Aidan Morgan and Ruben Love.

“Brett is a Whanganui boy who I watched closely while he was with the Crusaders,” Holland said of Cameron, a four-time Super Rugby champion during his time with the Christchurch-based franchise between 2018 and 2021.

“When he decided to make the move to Manawatu and play for the Turbos last year, I obviously got a closer look and was able to understand more about how he operates.

“To see the influence he had, in directing the game and the leadership he showed within the Turbos camp was outstanding, especially given he was new to the group.

“He is a talented player with a great skill set, a good kicker, and punts well, but he is also a real threat at the line. He is an athlete who makes really good decisions.”