Reed Prinsep admits he was left devastated when he was forced out of the Hurricanes, but now that he is plying his trade across the ditch, the bruising back-rower believes more and more will end up playing in Australia looking for opportunities.
After seven years and 71 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes, the ten-capped New Zealand Māori loose-forward was cut adrift months after a new coach arrived on the block with fresh ideas and a desire to regenerate the team.
For someone like Prinsep, it was a matter of tough luck after snapping his Achilles in the Hurricanes’ last pre-season match of the 2023 season – an injury that ruled him out for the year.
Before he knew it, Prinsep, who never shirked the tough stuff and regularly packed down alongside Ardie Savea, was waved goodbye by Clark Laidlaw.
Disappointing after years of service?
“One hundred per cent it was disappointing,” the back-rower told The Roar.
“I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that jersey and for it to end how it did, especially when it was out of my control, I couldn’t play, I couldn’t show that I’m worthy to wear that jersey again, I was hugely disappointed.”
Reed Prinsep says he was left devastated by being let go at the Hurricanes despite forging a strong career. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Prinsep could, however, see the logic behind it all.
After all, the Hurricanes have long been known as one of the most physical club sides in world rugby, one that produces quality back-rowers time and time again.
“The reality is this game can be brutal at times,” Prinsep said. “It is a business.
“The guys that were coming through, they’re outstanding young men. Like you said, the Peter Lakais, the Braydon Ioses, the Devin Flanders, they’re showcasing what they’ve got. Now, they’re taking over that back-row of the Hurricanes team.”
The list goes on and on, with Du’Plessis Kirifi good enough to make most international sides yet hasn’t had a look in with the All Blacks. Even Brad Shields, the recently returned skipper who was capped with England after pricking Eddie Jones’ interest, is back in Wellington.
Nor is Prinsep bitter about the fact that Laidlaw’s decision effectively ended any chance he might one day run out for the All Blacks.
“I was probably content with the fact that I never made the All Blacks but that was always my goal,” he said.
“I started every season wanting to wear that black jersey.
“I suppose I was comfortable with the fact that I was 30 years old at the time when I finished at the ‘Canes. The reality is it’s not likely I’m going to get picked in a team at that age, especially with the young talent coming through. I have absolutely no regrets. I gave it a good crack and enjoyed my time.
“I was also proud to represent the Maori All Blacks. I got to do that pretty much over the course of my entire career in New Zealand. Unfortunately, they don’t get the number of games a year as the top teams but I was very proud to represent that team.”
WJames Blackwell, Toby Smith, Dane Coles, Reed Prinsep and Ardie Savea look on during a Hurricanes training session on June 20, 2019 in Wellington. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
On the hunt for an interested suitor in Super Rugby, Prinsep eventually got what he was searching for after reigniting a relationship through his former scrum coach Dan Cron – the son of renowned scrum doctor Mike and cousin of Force coach Simon.
“I met Cronny in 2020,” Prinsep said. “He played club footy with Reuben Thorn in Christchurch and he came and observed Canterbury rugby training. I wasn’t training that particular day so I just got chatting to him. That was the first convo I had with him. We were just chewing the fat about rugby and life.
“With Dan Crony not at the ‘Canes, I still keep in contact with him. Just opportunities beyond the Hurricanes. I suppose he helped with that process, putting a few feelers out to Simon. That’s where the ball got rolling.
“In the lead up to joining the force, he helped me out with a bit of contact progression training and just getting me ready for Super Rugby again.”
Although a position in the squad didn’t immediately present itself, the Force’s hefty injury list allowed Cron to pounce on Prinsep – and the abrasive back-rower didn’t look back, signing up and bringing his young family across the ditch with him.
“Going in there with the Cronno’s and the like, I really felt there was a vision to put this club in the right direction and make it a finals team,” Prinsep said.
“That’s something that really excited me. I’m not coming over to hold tackle bags and collect a paycheck. I’m a competitor. I want to play. I want to win. I want to give it everything I’ve got. I want to leave no stone unturned. That’s something I’ve brought across.
“I can certainly see that within the whole club, especially this year, the group that’s been assembled is outstanding. There’s competition right across the team and there’s a good feeling amongst the group that we can really do something special this year.”
Force back-rower Reed Prinsep (L) and Manaaki Selby-Rickit at FMG Stadium Waikato, on May 04, 2024. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)
Prinsep’s comments will be music to the ears of not just Cron, but the Force’s Sea of Blue, who have long hoped to see the Super Rugby franchise emerge as a competitor.
So how does the Force’s physicality measure up to the Hurricanes?
“He [Cron] knows what it takes,” Prinsep said. “He comes from a family of pretty good coaches too that I can imagine all connect and share their detail around how they coach. He knows what it takes to win.
“Being a competitor, he is that in a nutshell as well. He wants to win and he’ll do whatever it takes to make this team successful.
“Regarding the physicality, I’ve definitely noticed a step up from the 2024 season to the 2025 season.
“I suppose an element of that is Cronno now having been able to put together the team that he wants. That’s certainly something I reckon will take a step in the right direction this year.”
Indeed, after the return of Tom Robertson, arrival of Harry Johnson-Holmes and fitness of Harry Hoopert and 2019 World Cup All Blacks prop Atu Moli, the Force’s stocks up front have received a massive boost.
Reed Prinsep has made a strong impression since arriving at the Western Force. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Throw in Test hookers Nic Dolly and Brandon Paenga-Amosa, as well as forgotten Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is intent on bringing back his ball-carrying after playing second-fiddle to several damaging runners at the Brumbies, and it’s easy to see why there’s some excitement building out west.
As for whether more Kiwis might follow Prinsep, as well as golden oldie Ryan Coxon, the former Maori All Black sees only upside for aspiring young talents searching for an opportunity.
“As a young New Zealand player, the black jersey is the pinnacle,” Prinsep said. “Wherever you’ve got to be playing to put yourself in the frame for that, you’re going to do.
“But opportunities to play at Super Rugby level are limited. There are 120 players in New Zealand that get to play Super Rugby full-time. If you want to progress beyond NPC, that opportunity may be in Australia. I reckon it’s great. It’s an opportunity to play at that level, test yourself and you might find yourself improve as a player and be able to progress yourself just because you’re playing at that level versus staying in New Zealand on the fringe of whatever squad it is, playing club footy throughout the year.
“If the opportunity arises, I reckon guys will definitely take it more and more as the years go on.”
