Auckland Rugby 2025

[SouthernMann]

Rumour in the ODT that Otago/current Highlanders halfback James Arscott will be transferring to Auckland for the NPC.

[Tim]

Sounds like Tai Cribb (lock), and James Arscott (halfback) will be available.

A few players heading to Northland though (e.g. Renata).

EDIT: Perofeta will be available.

Will Plummer be available at all?

[Tim]

Northland has:

Marcel Renata
Jordon Lay
Ofa Tuangafasi

James Mullan

Terrell Peita

Quinten Nicholas

[Tim]

Potential 23:

1 Josh Fusitua
2 Soane Vikena
3 Sione Ahio
4 Tai Cribb
5 Josh Beehre
6 Anton Segner
7 Adrian Choat
8 Vaiolini Ekuasi

9 Taufa Funaki
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Caleb Tangitau
12 Xavi Taele
13 AJ Lam
14 Xavier Tito-Harris
15 Zarn Sullivan

16 Millennium Sanerivi
17 Tito Tuipulotu
18 ?
19 ?
20 Che Clark
21 James Arscott
22 Tanielu Teleʻa
23 Payton Spencer/Rico Simpson

[Tim]

Head Coach Batesy and his team have been to every premier club over the last month pulling together the best Club Players for our 2025 Contenders Programme!

We will be training together every Monday of May and will play @northlandrugby on May 28th!

[taniwharugby]

@Tim not sure Ofa has re-signed, but then I'm also not sure on the status of his injury

[Tim]

2025 NZ U20 players:

Tamiano Ahloo (prop)
Robson Faleafa (prop)
Sika Pole (prop)
Randall Baker (lock)
Aio Keith (flanker)
Caleb Woodley (flanker)
Rico Simpson (1st 5)
Harlyn Saunoa (wing)

[Tim]

2024 Contenders Squad:

Forwards

Tito Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)

Oscar Cowley-Andrea (Pakuranga)

Millenium Sanirevi (College Rifles)

Nathaniel Pole (Marist)

Valentino Taito (GTEC)

Moses Hafoka (Pakuranga)

Maliu Niuafe (Marist)

Robson Faleafa (GTEC)

Crusader Faletagoa’I (College Rifles)

Caleb Pearson (College Rifles)

Frazer Brown (Ponsonby)

Junior Ahokovi (Marist)

Damien Naufahu (Eden)

Gage Jackson (GTEC)

Sione Takai (Pakuranga)

Sam Hainsworth-Faaofo (GTEC)

Setefano Leavasa (Pakuranga)

Sione Tuipolotu (Ponsonby)

Backs

Sam Howling (Ponsonby)

Luke Donaldson (Marist)

Riley Williams (Waitemata)

Alex Harford (College Rifles)

Will Butler (College Rifles)

Faletoi Peni (Ponsonby)

Alfa Kepu (Marist)

Tino Lui (GTEC)

Leo Gordon (College Rifles)

Amanaki Savieti (Waitemata)

PJ Uiese (Marist)

Liam Fitzsimons (GTEC)

Cephus Salavaio (Ponsonby)

Lolagi Visinia (Suburbs)

Theodore Steffany (Marist)

Vilimoni Koroi (College Rifles)

[Tim]

This post is deleted!

[SouthernMann]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

2024 Contenders Squad:

Forwards

Tito Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)

Oscar Cowley-Andrea (Pakuranga)

Millenium Sanirevi (College Rifles)

Nathaniel Pole (Marist)

Valentino Taito (GTEC)

Moses Hafoka (Pakuranga)

Maliu Niuafe (Marist)

Robson Faleafa (GTEC)

Crusader Faletagoa’I (College Rifles)

Caleb Pearson (College Rifles)

Frazer Brown (Ponsonby)

Junior Ahokovi (Marist)

Damien Naufahu (Eden)

Gage Jackson (GTEC)

Sione Takai (Pakuranga)

Sam Hainsworth-Faaofo (GTEC)

Setefano Leavasa (Pakuranga)

Sione Tuipolotu (Ponsonby)

Backs

Sam Howling (Ponsonby)

Luke Donaldson (Marist)

Riley Williams (Waitemata)

Alex Harford (College Rifles)

Will Butler (College Rifles)

Faletoi Peni (Ponsonby)

Alfa Kepu (Marist)

Tino Lui (GTEC)

Leo Gordon (College Rifles)

Amanaki Savieti (Waitemata)

PJ Uiese (Marist)

Liam Fitzsimons (GTEC)

Cephus Salavaio (Ponsonby)

Lolagi Visinia (Suburbs)

Theodore Steffany (Marist)

Vilimoni Koroi (College Rifles)

Interesting to see he is running around with Auckland after his season with Southland last year. Can't see him getting much game time for the blue and white hoops. Should mean Tayne Harvey will get some game time in his preferred spot for Southland though.

[Tim]

@SouthernMann That's the 2024 squad. No idea where he is now.

Be interesting to see what shape he is in after a season of NPC.

[SouthernMann]

Ah. My bad. I expect he will be back in Southland then

[Kiwidom]

@Tim Peni is playing major league rugby in the U.S
From the above list ,so is prop Male Ngiuafe

[Tim]

@Kiwidom said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Male Ngiuafe

He's a tighthead who played for NZ U20 a couple of years ago? Wonder if he would be a good option for the Auckland squad now?

[Kiwidom]

@Tim Yup that's correct. Had a few injuries so just needs to string a few games together.
Id forgotten about Alex Harford - is he still around or still injured?

[Tim]

@Kiwidom said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Alex Harford

Haven't seen him in club rugby team sheets. Isn't listed for any MLR teams either. Maybe injured?

[MacDazzler]

@Kiwidom Seen him at Auckland Airport two weeks back wearing Western Force gear.

[taniwharugby]

[Tim]

Apparently 2024 hooker Millennium Sanerivi played number 8 for College Rifles this weekend.

[Tim]

For Marist: