Three ex-All Blacks Sevens stars set for Super Rugby debuts in round one

For fans of the HSBC SVNS Series, the opening round of the new Super Rugby Pacific season is not to be missed with three former members of the All Blacks Sevens side set to make their respective debuts for either the Hurricanes, Blues or Chiefs.

One-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee Leroy Carter headlines a talented trio of sevens stars who set to enter the Super Rugby arena for the first time. Carter has been named to start on the wing for the Chiefs, alongside fullback Damian McKenzie in the outside backs.

All Blacks Sevens representative #308, Fehi Fineanganofo, will also wear the No. 14 this week when the Hurricanes take on the Crusaders in an unmissable season-opener at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium on Friday evening.

Catch up on the action from the HSBC SVNS Series on RugbyPass TV, which you can sign up for HERE.

Backrower Che Clark will look to provide impact off the pine for the Blues, with the defending competition champions selecting two Super Rugby debutants in their matchday 23 to take on Carter’s Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final.

“The team can draw confidence from the championship title last year, but this is 2025, a new season and we all start on zero points,” Blues head coach Vern Cotter said.

“There is no magic formula, just loads of hard work, clarity of roles and gameplan, and execution.

“This group of men has talent to burn. If we can harness it in one clear direction, then there is no reason why we cannot prosper this year.

“The team is excited to start the season at our fortress of Eden Park with our fans out in force to support us.”

It was just over 170 days ago that Carter spoke with reporters about the decision to leave the All Blacks Sevens behind to pursue his lifelong dream with the Chiefs. Carter admitted “it wasn’t the easiest decision” to make, but the utility was excited by the “challenge.”

 

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Carter, 25, was regularly a standout for the All Blacks Sevens during last season’s SVNS Series, which included a series of memorable performances during the thrilling Grand Final event at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano.

The Paris Olympian later returned to 15s with the Bay of Plenty Steamers in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship. Carter made 11 starts in as many appearances during the season, which included four tries in as many matches during the team’s run to the final.

With the ability to play both wing and scrum-half, Tauranga-born Carter has the potential to be a valuable member of Clayton McMillan’s side over the next two seasons at least, which begins with Saturday’s round one New Zealand derby at Eden Park.

“I started to do pretty well, I thought, in the sevens scene but for me it was a good challenge to come across and I’ve always wanted to be a Chiefs,” Carter told reporters last year.

“I’ve enjoyed my 15s for the Bay so I just really wanted to give it a crack. I didn’t want to get to the end of my career and say, ‘I wish I had a go.’

“It definitely wasn’t an easy decision because I loved my time there and I owe a lot to the All Blacks Sevens team and the boys that are in the team at the moment.

“It was quite a hard decision but I’m glad I did it and I’m looking forward to it.”