Jahrome
Hughes
Wellington-born utility Jahrome Hughes enjoyed a breakout 2019 season, becoming a vital cog in the Melbourne Storm machine and earning an international call-up for the Kiwis. Within a couple of years he would be regarded among the game top bracket of halfbacks, one of the best players in the NRL and a Test team linchpin.
A junior of the Harbour City Eagles club in the New Zealand capital, Hughes moved to the Gold Coast with his family as a teenager. He had a stint with Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball team but opted to remain in south-east Queensland and played 45 NYC games for the Titans from 2012-14.
Hughes was just 18 when he made his NRL debut at fullback in 2013 but that would be his only appearance for the Titans in the top flight. He headed for Townsville at the end of the following season.
With opportunities at fullback and in the halves scarce at North Queensland – he played one NRL game for the club in 2016 – Hughes was snapped up by Melbourne. He impressed as a back-up to the Storm’s star-studded spine in 2017-18 but was not required for the heavyweights’ finals campaigns.
Hughes featured at halfback in the Māori All Stars’ historic clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Melbourne in the 2019 pre-season.
Billy Slater’s retirement opened the NRL door for the 24-year-old, taking ownership of the Storm’s No.1 jersey and impressing with his incisive running, playmaking instincts and cool-headed play at the back.
Hughes’ versatility earned him a spot on the Kiwis’ bench for the 2019 mid-season Test against Tonga. Entering the fray at hooker, the head-geared utility scored a second-half solo try from dummy-half on debut.
He switched to the halves late in the NRL campaign for the Storm before being selected in the Kiwis’ squad for their end-of-year Test schedule. Hughes played 29 minutes of the loss to Australia in Wollongong at dummy-half, while he was pitched into the five-eighth role in the opening minutes of first Test against Great Britain at Eden Park after Kieran Foran left the field with a shoulder injury.
Hughes played a steady hand in the tense 12-8 victory – including a 26-tackle contribution – but was replaced on the interchange by Kodi Nikorima for the following encounter with the Lions in Christchurch.
After representing Māori All Stars again during the 2020 pre-season, Hughes nailed down the Storm No.7 jersey and was one of the NRL’s standout players. The 26-year-old scored seven tries and produced 15 try-assists in 19 games, including the club’s grand final triumph over Penrith.
Hughes developed into one of the NRL’s best halfbacks and most influential players in 2021. Arguably the minor premiership-winning Storm’s standout performer in another season of team excellence, Hughes finished equal-seventh in the Dally M Medal count. He was an obvious choice for the Kiwis' wider squad for the 2022 World Cup at the end of the year.
Virtually an automatic choice to wear the No.7 jersey in New Zealand's 2022 mid-season Test against Tonga, Hughes scored a try in a superb display as the Kiwis carved out a 26-6 win at Mt Smart Stadium. He passed the 100-game milestone in the NRL later in the year and finished with a career-high 12 tries, before setting off on his maiden World Cup campaign to England as a key member of the Kiwis' title bid.
Injury delayed Hughes' World Cup start but he returned with a sizzling performance against Ireland - scoring two tries and laying on three more - in New Zealand's last pool match and scored his fifth Test try in the gallant semi-final defeat to Australia.
The brilliant playmaker steered the Storm to a top-four finish and a preliminary final in 2023, crossing for seven tries in 22 games, ahead an integral role in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships success.
Hughes scored a try and set two up in the 50-0 rout of Samoa, laid on two of New Zealand's three tries in the 36-18 loss to Australia in Melbourne, and had a try assist and 117 running metres in a superb No.7 display as the Kiwis pumped the Kangaroos by a record 30-0 in the final in Hamilton.
Taking it up another level in 2024, Hughes was a rapturously received Dally M Medal winner - joining Gary Freeman, Jason Taumalolo and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the only Kiwis reps to claim the hallowed award - as he spearheaded Melbourne's minor premiership drive.
Sensational throughout the 2024 finals series, he featured in the Storm's brave 14-6 grand final loss to Penrith before being named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad on his 30th birthday but was subsequently ruled out due to a neck injury.
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Jahrome
Hughes
Wellington-born utility Jahrome Hughes enjoyed a breakout 2019 season, becoming a vital cog in the Melbourne Storm machine and earning an international call-up for the Kiwis. Within a couple of years he would be regarded among the game top bracket of halfbacks, one of the best players in the NRL and a Test team linchpin.
A junior of the Harbour City Eagles club in the New Zealand capital, Hughes moved to the Gold Coast with his family as a teenager. He had a stint with Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball team but opted to remain in south-east Queensland and played 45 NYC games for the Titans from 2012-14.
Hughes was just 18 when he made his NRL debut at fullback in 2013 but that would be his only appearance for the Titans in the top flight. He headed for Townsville at the end of the following season.
With opportunities at fullback and in the halves scarce at North Queensland – he played one NRL game for the club in 2016 – Hughes was snapped up by Melbourne. He impressed as a back-up to the Storm’s star-studded spine in 2017-18 but was not required for the heavyweights’ finals campaigns.
Hughes featured at halfback in the Māori All Stars’ historic clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Melbourne in the 2019 pre-season.
Billy Slater’s retirement opened the NRL door for the 24-year-old, taking ownership of the Storm’s No.1 jersey and impressing with his incisive running, playmaking instincts and cool-headed play at the back.
Hughes’ versatility earned him a spot on the Kiwis’ bench for the 2019 mid-season Test against Tonga. Entering the fray at hooker, the head-geared utility scored a second-half solo try from dummy-half on debut.
He switched to the halves late in the NRL campaign for the Storm before being selected in the Kiwis’ squad for their end-of-year Test schedule. Hughes played 29 minutes of the loss to Australia in Wollongong at dummy-half, while he was pitched into the five-eighth role in the opening minutes of first Test against Great Britain at Eden Park after Kieran Foran left the field with a shoulder injury.
Hughes played a steady hand in the tense 12-8 victory – including a 26-tackle contribution – but was replaced on the interchange by Kodi Nikorima for the following encounter with the Lions in Christchurch.
After representing Māori All Stars again during the 2020 pre-season, Hughes nailed down the Storm No.7 jersey and was one of the NRL’s standout players. The 26-year-old scored seven tries and produced 15 try-assists in 19 games, including the club’s grand final triumph over Penrith.
Hughes developed into one of the NRL’s best halfbacks and most influential players in 2021. Arguably the minor premiership-winning Storm’s standout performer in another season of team excellence, Hughes finished equal-seventh in the Dally M Medal count. He was an obvious choice for the Kiwis' wider squad for the 2022 World Cup at the end of the year.
Virtually an automatic choice to wear the No.7 jersey in New Zealand's 2022 mid-season Test against Tonga, Hughes scored a try in a superb display as the Kiwis carved out a 26-6 win at Mt Smart Stadium. He passed the 100-game milestone in the NRL later in the year and finished with a career-high 12 tries, before setting off on his maiden World Cup campaign to England as a key member of the Kiwis' title bid.
Injury delayed Hughes' World Cup start but he returned with a sizzling performance against Ireland - scoring two tries and laying on three more - in New Zealand's last pool match and scored his fifth Test try in the gallant semi-final defeat to Australia.
The brilliant playmaker steered the Storm to a top-four finish and a preliminary final in 2023, crossing for seven tries in 22 games, ahead an integral role in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships success.
Hughes scored a try and set two up in the 50-0 rout of Samoa, laid on two of New Zealand's three tries in the 36-18 loss to Australia in Melbourne, and had a try assist and 117 running metres in a superb No.7 display as the Kiwis pumped the Kangaroos by a record 30-0 in the final in Hamilton.
Taking it up another level in 2024, Hughes was a rapturously received Dally M Medal winner - joining Gary Freeman, Jason Taumalolo and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the only Kiwis reps to claim the hallowed award - as he spearheaded Melbourne's minor premiership drive.
Sensational throughout the 2024 finals series, he featured in the Storm's brave 14-6 grand final loss to Penrith before being named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad on his 30th birthday but was subsequently ruled out due to a neck injury.
PROFILE
Height M
183
WEIGHT KG
90
DOB
Oct 8, 1994
HIGHLIGHTS
Test matches
12
Test points
24
MELBOURNE STORM (2017-2024)
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The defeat driving Jahrome Hughes' World Cup campaign
The pain of New Zealand's semi-final defeat to Australia four years ago is driving Jahrome Hughes in his bid to lead the Kiwis to IRL Rugby League World Cup glory.
New Zealand led 2022 semi-final 14-10 at half-time before a Cam Murray try put the Kangaroos in front with 27 minutes to play.
The Kiwis had a number of chances to hit back but were unable to break through Australia's desperate defence.
As New Zealand's on-field general, Hughes blamed himself for the loss and will carry that pain into Thursday's showdown with the Kangaroos to kick off the World Cup at Allianz Stadium.
"Getting so close in 2022 and losing to Australia in the semi-final, there's still a bit of fire in the belly," Hughes said. "I take a lot of blame for losing that game.
"It’s fuelling that fire and making sure that doesn’t happen again. That’s what happened in that last World Cup. I feel like it’s worked for me already with my preparation and my mindset going into this tournament.”
A crowd exceeding 40,000 fans is expected to pack into Allianz Stadium for a match that will give the winner pole position for the World Cup.
Hughes was a 14-year-old who had just moved to the Gold Coast when New Zealand hoisted the Paul Barrière Trophy for the first and only time back in 2008.
The playmaker has fond memories of watching Benji Marshall lead his nation to a stunning upset over the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium.
Should all go to plan, Hughes will have a chance to emulate the 2008 side at the same ground in just over a month. Having fallen short four years ago, the halfback is desperate not to let this opportunity slip.
"I think back to '08 when I was a kid and how that win made me feel," Hughes said. "If we were to lift that trophy at the end of this World Cup, the things it would do for the kids back home in New Zealand and all our supporters would be special.
"Seeing the way our game has grown over there, it's a credit to the Warriors. We see all the hype they've got over there and the new fans they've got. For us to win it would be really special, not just for us players but the whole country."
While he still carries the pain of defeat four years ago, Hughes also knows the elation of victory over the Kangaroos.
The halfback's last outing in a Kiwis jumper was a record 30-0 trouncing of Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships final.
While injuries have prevented Hughes from lining up for New Zealand in the past two years, he said this year's camp has plenty of similarities to 2023.
"It was an awesome experience," he said. "Being able to win the Pacific Championships with the quality of that Kangaroos team and the way we did it.
"The feeling in the camp the whole campaign, we worked hard to build something special and we were able to end it on a high. I haven't been in camp since then but this camp's got a similar feel and we've got some great leaders in our captain [James Fisher-Harris]."
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
Biography
Last updated:
October 27, 2026
Wellington-born utility Jahrome Hughes enjoyed a breakout 2019 season, becoming a vital cog in the Melbourne Storm machine and earning an international call-up for the Kiwis. Within a couple of years he would be regarded among the game top bracket of halfbacks, one of the best players in the NRL and a Test team linchpin.
A junior of the Harbour City Eagles club in the New Zealand capital, Hughes moved to the Gold Coast with his family as a teenager. He had a stint with Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball team but opted to remain in south-east Queensland and played 45 NYC games for the Titans from 2012-14.
Hughes was just 18 when he made his NRL debut at fullback in 2013 but that would be his only appearance for the Titans in the top flight. He headed for Townsville at the end of the following season.
With opportunities at fullback and in the halves scarce at North Queensland – he played one NRL game for the club in 2016 – Hughes was snapped up by Melbourne. He impressed as a back-up to the Storm’s star-studded spine in 2017-18 but was not required for the heavyweights’ finals campaigns.
Hughes featured at halfback in the Māori All Stars’ historic clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Melbourne in the 2019 pre-season.
Billy Slater’s retirement opened the NRL door for the 24-year-old, taking ownership of the Storm’s No.1 jersey and impressing with his incisive running, playmaking instincts and cool-headed play at the back.
Hughes’ versatility earned him a spot on the Kiwis’ bench for the 2019 mid-season Test against Tonga. Entering the fray at hooker, the head-geared utility scored a second-half solo try from dummy-half on debut.
He switched to the halves late in the NRL campaign for the Storm before being selected in the Kiwis’ squad for their end-of-year Test schedule. Hughes played 29 minutes of the loss to Australia in Wollongong at dummy-half, while he was pitched into the five-eighth role in the opening minutes of first Test against Great Britain at Eden Park after Kieran Foran left the field with a shoulder injury.
Hughes played a steady hand in the tense 12-8 victory – including a 26-tackle contribution – but was replaced on the interchange by Kodi Nikorima for the following encounter with the Lions in Christchurch.
After representing Māori All Stars again during the 2020 pre-season, Hughes nailed down the Storm No.7 jersey and was one of the NRL’s standout players. The 26-year-old scored seven tries and produced 15 try-assists in 19 games, including the club’s grand final triumph over Penrith.
Hughes developed into one of the NRL’s best halfbacks and most influential players in 2021. Arguably the minor premiership-winning Storm’s standout performer in another season of team excellence, Hughes finished equal-seventh in the Dally M Medal count. He was an obvious choice for the Kiwis' wider squad for the 2022 World Cup at the end of the year.
Virtually an automatic choice to wear the No.7 jersey in New Zealand's 2022 mid-season Test against Tonga, Hughes scored a try in a superb display as the Kiwis carved out a 26-6 win at Mt Smart Stadium. He passed the 100-game milestone in the NRL later in the year and finished with a career-high 12 tries, before setting off on his maiden World Cup campaign to England as a key member of the Kiwis' title bid.
Injury delayed Hughes' World Cup start but he returned with a sizzling performance against Ireland - scoring two tries and laying on three more - in New Zealand's last pool match and scored his fifth Test try in the gallant semi-final defeat to Australia.
The brilliant playmaker steered the Storm to a top-four finish and a preliminary final in 2023, crossing for seven tries in 22 games, ahead an integral role in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships success.
Hughes scored a try and set two up in the 50-0 rout of Samoa, laid on two of New Zealand's three tries in the 36-18 loss to Australia in Melbourne, and had a try assist and 117 running metres in a superb No.7 display as the Kiwis pumped the Kangaroos by a record 30-0 in the final in Hamilton.
Taking it up another level in 2024, Hughes was a rapturously received Dally M Medal winner - joining Gary Freeman, Jason Taumalolo and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the only Kiwis reps to claim the hallowed award - as he spearheaded Melbourne's minor premiership drive.
Sensational throughout the 2024 finals series, he featured in the Storm's brave 14-6 grand final loss to Penrith before being named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad on his 30th birthday but was subsequently ruled out due to a neck injury.
fixtures & results
