Wellington 2025

[Bones]

Saw a picture of O'Reilly playing for HOBM the other day, looks like he could be a front row on his own.

[Canes4life]

Patafilo is heading off soon I think so looks like he won’t be available for the Lions this year.

[Canes4life]

@Trig said in Wellington 2025:

Is Rova confirmed to be with Wellington for NPC? Had heard possibility he could be back for Canterbury. He has only only featured in one game of club rugby this season and that was for his Lincoln Uni club in Canterbury

There were rumours he had signed for Wellington but I could be wrong.

[Canes4life]

So an update on the squad with known departures and those making the ABs, along with injuries. The Lions unfortunately will be looking a little light now.

Higgins, Aumua and Lakai might feature in the campaign but there are definitely ?? against their name as the extend of their injuries are fairly unknown.

ABs: Savea, Kirifi, Love, Proctor
Injured: Lakai, Higgins, Aumua
Departed: Umaga-Jensen, Patafilo, Savea, Ieremia

Likely players available:

Props:
S Lauaki (Tawa)
P Sheck (Tawa)
B Chrichton (Norths)
X Numia (Ories)
S Senele (Upper Hutt)

Hookers:
J O'Reilly (HOBM)
H Press (HOBM)
P Poasa (Ories)

Locks:
H Plummer (Tawa)
C Delany (OBU)
F O'Sullivan (OBU)

Loose forwards:
B Shields (Petone)
S Halalilo (Ories)
D Ropeti (Ories)
J Avei-Collins (Norths)
H Irving (OBU)

Halfbacks:
K Preston (OBU)
M Nuriwai (HOBM)
M McLeod (OBU)

First fives:
C Harkin (OBU)
J Garden-Bachop (Norths)

Centres:
J Rova

Outside backs:
L Filipo (Petone)
S Solomon (Petone)
T Clarke (Petone)

[mikey07]

Wholy that is light especially in the midfield Rova, Filipo 12,13 maybe??

[Canes4life]

@mikey07 said in Wellington 2025:

Wholy that is light especially in the midfield Rova, Filipo 12,13 maybe??

Matt Proctor might be available. Not sure who in club rugby could make the step up.

[SBW1]

How likely would it be for Matt Proctor to play in a Kiwi franchise in 2026? His deal at the Force was only for this year.

[Fredsaua12]

@Canes4life Rova is still contracted to Canterbury for this season I believe, unless he can get a release

[Canes4life]

Wellington Lions look to have been dealt another blow with Tjay Clarke also signing in Japan.

Without including ABs, Wellington have lost all of Peter Umaga-Jensen (Japan), Pepesani Patafilio (overseas), Tjay Clarke (Japan), Julian Savea (North Harbour) and Riley Higgins (injured) for this upcoming season. Doesn't look like we'll be defending our title this year unfortunately.

[DurryMexted]

Wonder how wide they will be casting the net to try get some names for this years squad. Could be a brand new backline aside from a spine of Preston, Garden Bachop and Harkin

[Canes4life]

Savea still with the Lions. First three players announced:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL9M-puz1ZN/?igsh=MTJ0ZzhpNHRycXVoag==

[Canes4life]

Three more players announced, Matt Proctor included.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMCXX4KTH5_/?igsh=MW5mc20ycG9sYTJqOQ==

[DurryMexted]

Oh god dammit i thought Julian had gone to North Harbour for some reason..........

[UpTheHarbs]

@DurryMexted Well, it ended up being a rumour.

[Canes4life]

Three more added to the squad:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMHenBVzhBn/?igsh=MW5mempzeG50Njdwbw==

[DurryMexted]

Finding this naming process rather drawn out as opposed to building any anticipation

[Canes4life]

@DurryMexted said in Wellington 2025:

Finding this naming process rather drawn out as opposed to building any anticipation

Would be much better if they just named the team. It would be different if it was Super Rugby but I don't think the impact is the same at NPC level.

[Canes4life]

6 more announcements.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMKELQ6Txrt/?img_index=1&igsh=MXluN3JocnJqZzAy

[Canes4life]

Will update the below list as announcements are made.

Announced so far:

Brad Shields
Ardie Savea
Julian Savea
James O’Reilly
Matt Proctor
Jackson Garden-Bachop
Asafo Aumua
Du Plessis Kirifi
Losi Filipo
Xavier Numia
Caleb Delany
Ruben Love
PJ Sheck
Peter Lakai
Riley Higgins
Siale Lauaki
Sione Halalilo
Hugo Plummer
Kyle Preston
Dominic Ropeti

[Dancefloor]

I can see they are trying to build suspense but can’t they just name a squad!?