Zach Gallagher is no stranger to high-performance sports. He won a medal in New Zealand’s premier rowing event, the Maadi Cup, with Christ’s College during his high school years and was also captain of the school’s first XV.
Members of Gallagher’s family have also competed at a high level in sports. His mother Kris rowed for New Zealand and Zach’s great-uncle is former All Black fullback Allan Hewson.
The 23-year-old made 19 appearances for the Crusaders, making his debut for the Christchurch-based side in 2022, and went on to represent the Crusaders in the 2023 and 2024 campaigns respectively.
Gallagher decided to move north to Wellington, with the Hurricanes needing momentum from a fixed position.
Moving to Wellington to join the Hurricanes presents a whole new challenge, Gallagher says.
“I loved my time at the Crusaders and learned a lot from the best players, but I felt it was the right time to challenge myself and dive into a new environment and a new way of looking at the game,” Gallagher told the media. This week.
“The vision for the team and the energy within the group is infectious. The pre-season environment has been great and we are excited to see what lies ahead.”
This is a significant pickup for Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw, who will be acquiring a young lock with Super Rugby experience to add to his lock stock.
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Laidlaw is pleased with the way the 23-year-old has started pre-season in Wellington and said he has a spring in his step.
“Zach has transitioned well to the team. It’s clear he gave it his all and came out on top in the pre-Christmas fitness test.
“What’s more important is that he came in, settled into the group and started contributing to the environment.”
It’s a new environment for Gallagher, but the coaching staff needs experience in a relatively young and inexperienced locking department comprised of Tom Allen, Will Tucker, Caleb Delany, Josh Taula and Isaia Walker-Leawere.
“We are very excited to have him join the group. He seems to enjoy it. We often see players put into different environments under different coaching groups. It can be refreshing and there is a spring in his step,” Laidlaw said.
“We’re hoping to get him out there in a few weeks.”
