Why Hurricanes winger Josh Moorby’s early return from France is paying off big time

Friday, 22 May 2026

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Two years ago, Josh Moorby was in Hurricanes team-mate Fehi Fineanganofo’s position. He had signed a deal overseas, inking a two-year contract with French Top 14 club Montpellier, before experiencing a breakthrough Super Rugby season – prompting questions over whether he was leaving too soon.

After just one year in France, the Māori All Blacks representative was able to negotiate an early release and rejoined the Hurricanes for the 2026 season, resuming where he left off.

While Newcastle Red Bulls-bound Fineanganofo has dominated headlines this year, Moorby is also producing career-best form for the competition frontrunners. His 12 tries in 11 games are second only to his team-mate’s record equalling 16 in 12.

With the Hurricanes sitting atop the Super Rugby standings and Highlanders star Caleb Tangitau sidelined with a devastating Achilles injury, Moorby has emerged as a genuine All Blacks contender.

The 27-year-old has drawn comparisons to Ben Smith due to his elusive running game and versatility, equally comfortable on the wing or at fullback.

Hurricanes assistant coach Cory Jane, a former All Blacks outside back himself, believed a new national coach could create opportunities for new faces.

He said Moorby – referred to as “Mr Consistent' by head coach Clark Laidlaw this week – ticked plenty of boxes, admitting surprise when told the outside back had already crossed for a dozen tries this season, five more than Tangitau in the same number of games.

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“Now that you’ve got new coaches, who knows what they’re looking at. But if you’re looking for somebody that has got a massive workrate, a massive engine … he has played 1000 games for us this year, he’s durable, he doesn’t get injured often and just has an understanding of where the ball is,” Jane said.

“I guess everything has gone towards Fehi and why not, he’s done some unbelievable stuff for us but I didn’t even know Moorbs had scored, what is he on 11 or 12 tries? I don’t even think I ever scored that many during my career.

“It’s awesome that just sifting away and the beauty with him is he’s just as good whether he’s on the wing or at fullback. When you get to this part of the season and you’ve got the luxury of being able to do that and be just as good, it’s awesome. We’re in a good spot with outside backs.”

After scoring four tries against Moana Pasifika in his last outing, before a minor training injury saw him miss last weekend’s 47-24 win over the Blues, it’s in the No 15 jersey where Moorby will line up against the Highlanders on Saturday night in his 50th Super Rugby appearance – a milestone that once seemed unlikely after announcing his departure from New Zealand in 2024.

Fineanganofo has been rested after equalling Ben Lam and Joe Roff’s single-season record of 16 tries in his 12th straight start, with last year’s preferred wing pairing of Kini Naholo and Ngane Punivai returning to the starting side.

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The Hurricanes are set to lose several players at the end of the season, with Fineanganofo headlining a growing departures list that now also includes halfback Ere Enari, who has confirmed a move to Welsh club Dragons.

But Moorby’s return is proof that not every player who heads overseas is lost to New Zealand rugby for good.

“This club means a lot to me. It’s the team that gave me my first real opportunity and having that year away, coming back and reaching 50, I’m real stoked,” he said.

“We’re all presented with opportunities. At the time, I felt like the decision I made was the right one and I’m sure for Fehi he’s got his reasons. It’s the player’s decision at the end of the day but you’ve just got to be happy with the decision you make.”