Jahrome Hughes

Jahrome Hughes (born 8 October 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League, the New Zealand Māori and New Zealand at international level.

He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans as a and the North Queensland Cowboys as a in the NRL. He transitioned from to in late 2019, winning the 2020 NRL Grand Final and the 2024 Dally M Medal in that position.

Early life Hughes was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and is of Māori, and Welsh descent.

He played junior rugby league for the Harbour City Eagles.

In 2008, Hughes moved to the Gold Coast, where he played for the Tugun Seahawks and Currumbin Eagles. He was educated at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.

Playing career Early career Hughes played for the Sydney Roosters SG Ball Cup team before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans in 2012. He played for the Gold Coast NYC team from 2012 to 2014.

2013–2014: Gold Coast Titans In Round 17 of the 2013 NRL season, Hughes made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans against Penrith at Darwin.

In 2014, he spent the season in the NYC and was released by the Gold Coast at the end of the year.

2015 Hughes joined the new Queensland Cup side, the Townsville Blackhawks. In September, he was named at fullback in the 2015 Queensland Cup Team of the Year. Hughes was named Blackhawks' Best Back and Players' Player.

In October, Hughes signed a one-year contract with North Queensland.

2016: North Queensland Cowboys On 8 May, Hughes represented the Queensland Residents against the New South Wales Residents, playing at fullback and scoring a try in the 16–30 win. In Round 12, Hughes made his North Queensland debut in Wollongong, scoring a try in the 10–14 loss to St. George Illawarra. On 30 June, he signed a two-year contract with Melbourne starting in 2017.

On 3 September, Hughes was named in the Queensland Cup Team of the Year at fullback for the second straight year.

2017–present: Melbourne Storm

In round 16 of the 2017 season, Hughes made his Melbourne Storm debut against the Sydney Roosters at Adelaide on 24 June, becoming Melbourne player 184. Hughes earned selection for the New Zealand national rugby league team at the end of the 2018 season, but did not make the run-on team.

After the retirement of Billy Slater and injury to Scott Drinkwater, Hughes began the 2019 season playing . Following consistent performances for the Storm, Hughes made his international debut for New Zealand Kiwis against Tonga. He scored a try on debut and played off the bench.

In round 23, Hughes made the move to to accommodate Ryan Papenhuyzen at at the expense of usual Brodie Croft. Hughes would remain there for the remaining games of the 2019 season, scoring a try in the finals series however the Storm would lose in the preliminary finals to 2018 grand final opponent, the Sydney Roosters in a tight game 14–6.

Hughes would make the permanent move into the halves in 2020 usually partnering Cameron Munster, but occasionally partnering with Cameron Smith. This transition would prove successful with Hughes starting at halfback in Melbourne's 26–20 2020 NRL Grand Final over Penrith.

In 2021, Hughes was awarded the Melbourne Storm Player of the Year award, and was crowned as the 2021 Kiwi Player of the Year. He would also fill in as Melbourne Storm captain for the first time in 2022, re-signing with the club until the end of the 2026 NRL season.

In 2022, Hughes started at halfback for the first time in his fourth test match representing New Zealand Kiwis. Hughes would score the opening try in the Kiwis 26–6 win against Tonga. Hughes played 22 games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished third on the table. Hughes played in Melbourne's preliminary final loss against Penrith.

2024

Hughes played a total of 23 matches for Melbourne in the 2024 NRL season as the club were runaway minor premiers. Hughes, who had steered the team in the midst of a plethora of player injuries, was awarded the Dally M Medal. Hughes played in Melbourne's 2024 NRL Grand Final loss against Penrith. Hughes would be selected for New Zealand for the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships, but had to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

2025 On 29 July, Melbourne announced that Hughes re-signed with the team until the end of 2030. Hughes played 20 games for Melbourne in the 2025 NRL season including their 26-22 2025 NRL Grand Final loss against Brisbane.

Honours Individual 2× Queensland Cup Team of the Year: 2015, 2016 Spirit of ANZAC Medal: 2021 New Zealand International: 2019 Melbourne Storm Best Back: 2021 2× Melbourne Storm Cameron Smith Player of the Year: 2021, 2024 Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2024 Dally M Medal: 2024 RLPA Team of the Year: 2024 RLPA The Players Champion: 2024

Club 3× J. J. Giltinan Shield: 2019, 2021, 2024 2018 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2024 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2025 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up

Statistics

NRL .

†Denotes seasons in which Hughes won an NRL Premiership

SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts 2013 Gold Coast Titans 1 0 0 – 0 0 2016 North Queensland 1 1 0 – 0 4 2017† Melbourne 4 3 0 – 0 12 2018 11 2 0 – 0 8 2019 24 9 0 – 0 36 2020† 19 7 0 – 0 28 2021 24 9 0 – 0 20 2022 21 12 0 – 0 48 2023 227 0 – 028 2024 2312 0 – 048 2025 208 0 – 032 2026 122 0 – 012 Career totals 182 72 0 — 0 288