Hugh Renton

Born and raised in Hastings, Renton attended Lindisfarne College close to his hometown and played first XV rugby for them in 2012 and 2013 but was unable to play his senior year.

Renton played under-18 rugby for the Hurricanes in 2013 as a year 12 and captained them against the Chiefs under-18, winning 40–10. Wellington-based Ruper Rugby team the Hurricanes made an agreement that would keep Renton amongst the team, specifically to return him from injury and look after his development. He made no appearances during the 2015 campaign, but was a part of the Hurricanes squad for the 2016 season in which the team was crowned Super Rugby champions for the first time. Despite coming back from injury and the campaign being a successful one for the franchise, it was one of personal disappointment for Renton, as injury ruined his year and he again failed to make the field.

2017 Super Rugby saw Renton performing well throughout pre-season. However he had to wait till round 13 against the Cheetahs to make his debut as regular Callum Gibbins pulled out late with injury. Renton came on as a replacement for Ardie Savea in the last quarter of the match, the Hurricanes went on to win 61–7. Gibbins returned to the squad the following week, which meant that was the only game time Renton saw in 2017 as the Hurricanes lost to the Lions in the semi final 44–29. Despite having a promising Mitre 10 Cup for the Hawkes Bay Magpies and the first time he had played consistently without injury, Renton found himself surplus to requirements in 2018 for both the Hurricanes and Hawkes Bay Magpies with the Hurricanes signing fellow Magpie Gareth Evans.[2][3][4] Gibbins returned to the squad the following week.

Renton played no rugby in 2015 due to an injury sustained in 2013. He played four times in 2016, twice as a starting player and twice coming on as a substitute, with continued injury hampering his 2016. In 2017, Renton played every game for the Magpies.[2][5] He played 4 games for Canterbury in 2018. In September 2020 Renton was named in the Tasman Mako squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup.[6] Renton played 11 games for the Mako in the 2020 season as they won their second premiership title in a row.