Zach Gallagher Embarks on New Journey with the Hurricanes

New Hurricanes lock Zach Gallagher is ready to take on the next challenge in a journey marked by remarkable achievements.

Moving from the Crusaders, where he played 19 games from 2022 to 2024, sharing in two Super Rugby Pacific championships, to Wellington, Gallagher, 23, is a double major graduate from the University of Canterbury and was head boy at Christ's College, where he also captained the 1st XV.

Settling in with locals shouldn't be an issue; former All Blacks fullback and Wellington legend Allan Hewson is a great-uncle.

Gallagher also has rowing championship honours, including age-grade medals from the Maadi Cup. His mother, Kris, was a New Zealand rowing representative.

Moving to the capital to join the Hurricanes has proved surreal.

"I loved my time at the Crusaders and learnt so much from some of the best, but it felt like the right time for a challenge and to throw myself into a new environment and a new way of looking at the game."

Gallagher said working with the Hurricanes' coaching group showed they were doing something special.

"The vision for the team and the energy within the group are contagious. The pre-season environment has been great and I'm looking forward to what's to come."

Coach Clark Laidlaw said, "Zach's transitioned into the team well. It's obvious he's been putting in the work and coming out on top as the fittest forward in our pre-Christmas fitness testing.

"More importantly, he's come in and been himself, settled into the group, and is starting to contribute to the environment.

"We feel excited to have him in the group, and he seems to enjoy it. You see it often with players when they come into a different environment under a different coaching group; it can be refreshing, and he's got a spring in his step.

"We're looking forward to getting him out there in a few weeks' time."

The Hurricanes will open the Super Rugby Pacific season on February 14 against the Crusaders.

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