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Warkworth’s Kade Banks enjoyed a whirlwind start to his first year in Super Rugby Pacific, dotting down on debut for the Blues against the Highlanders at Eden Park in round 13.
But that was the only game Banks would play for the franchise.
Now the talented outside back and former Mahurangi College First XV player has signed with the Hurricanes for next season.
The move south follows a stand-out season in the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Chalking up 10 tries for North Harbour, he was the competition’s leading try scorer, which earned him the coveted North Harbour Player of the Year award.
It was an impressive tally after a lean 2023 in the NPC when he only scored four tries for North Harbour.
“It took me seven games to score a try last year [in the NPC]. It took me about seven minutes this year, so it was good to get the monkey off the back and relieve a little bit of pressure,” Banks says.
Despite crossing the line for the Blues, Banks only earned the one cap as he faced some star-studded competition for backline spots from players such as All Blacks Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele’a and Stephen Perofeta.
However, the lack of game time was only part of the reason for his switch, he says.
“Obviously I’m not the biggest guy on the field, so the Hurricanes style of play suits me a hell of a lot more than the Blues style. It’s more free-flowing and they move the ball around, whereas the Blues is a bit more of a power style up through the middle.”
Banks says he was in talks with the Hurricanes coaches earlier in the NPC season, which got him pretty excited.
“After that I was just building on my performances with North Harbour. Then the Hurricanes had a few spots open up.”
With Hurricanes outside backs Josh Moorby and Salesi Rayasi both off to France next year, the timing couldn’t have been better for Banks, who will cover the back three, either slotting in on the wing or at fullback.
Banks is confident he’ll get on the paddock a lot more than he did in 2024.
“There’s a bit more opportunity down there. I’m looking forward to ripping into the preseason and leading into the Super Rugby season from there.
“It’s definitely a bit different to the NPC, everything’s a contest. Every tackle, every ruck becomes a contest because everybody at that level is a full-time professional, so everybody’s so good.
“It’s going to be massive for my game and allow me to know where I need to get better.”
No doubt with more game time the dynamic Banks will also be able to show the national selectors what he can do.
Playing for the All Blacks is still the ultimate goal, he says.
