Auckland Rugby 2025

[Daffy Jaffy]

With the squad due out soon i made a list of players that will be certainties or contenders for the npc squad, from monitoring training footage on the gram (plus oil, rumors and guesses) -
H:
Soane vikena
Mills Sanerivi
Nathaniel Pole

LP:
Joshua Fusitu’a
Ben Ake
Tito Tuipulotu
Sika Pole
Oscar Cowley-Andrea

TP:
Angus Ta’avao
Sione Ahio
Hamdahn Tuipulotu
Maliu Niuafe
Robson Faleafa

L:
Josh Beehre
Tom Allen
Tai Cribb
Junior Ahokovi

LF:
Adrian Choat
Anton Segner
Che Clark
Kitiona Vai
Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo
Ola Tauelangi
Caleb Woodley
Aio Keith
Gage Jackson
Randell Baker

HB:
Taufa Funaki
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
James Arscott
Luke Aiken
Chris Vunipola

FH:
Stephen Perofeta
Rico Simpson
Alex Harford

MF:
Xavi Taele
AJ Lam
Tanielu Tele'a
Leo Gordan
Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega

W:
Caleb Tangitau
Codi Vai
Xavier Tito-Harris
King Maxwell
Haryln Saunoa

FB:
Payton Spencer
Cohan Norris
Adam Morrison

Any I missed?

[brodean]

Wait. Stephen Perofeta has left Taranaki?

That's handy given we've lost Sullivan. A change for Sullivan would do him good. He's never been as good as his first NPC and Super Rugby seasons when he was 20. Been unluck with injury though.

[Duluth]

@brodean said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Stephen Perofeta has left Taranaki?

Yeah it was announced midway through SR. Wanted to be in Auckland for family reasons

[Duluth]

We might see a Caleb on both wings at some stage. Depending on how long Clarke is injured and if he needs game time

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy King Maxwell was offered to Harbour as a loan player but Habour declined the player they wanted was Haryln Saunoa I have heard he’s got a contract in from of him from Auckland

[Daffy Jaffy]

@brodean Sullivan moving will also hopefully mean much needed experience and game time for Peyton Spencer. Plus Norris and Morrison are exciting prospects who may get a chance.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris Oh I forgot Saunoa - added.

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Haryln Saunoa I have heard he’s got a contract in from of him from Auckland

I haven't had time to keep up with the u20's. How has he been going?

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth Saunoa came off the bench in the first game against Italy unfortunately the game itself wasn’t the greatest in terms of viewing

The 2nd he started against Georgia , got a brace in that game 2 brilliant finishes that saw him go airborne
Certainly knows how to finish
Was’nt in the squad for the game against Ireland

[Duluth]

[Kiwidom]

@Duluth Ah that explains why the squad is so large

[Kirwan]

Can you imagin listening to a Podcast with this guy and Robertson?

[KiwiMurph]

I'd much rather see a young squad play than a bunch of journeymen finish mid-lower table. Looking forward to it.

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

I'd much rather see a young squad play than a bunch of journeymen finish mid-lower table. Looking forward to it.

Dead right. Couldn't care less where they come on the table, but at least bring some guys through for the Blues, not clog the side up with Australians, journeymen Pacific Island international players, and fringe super rugby globetrotters like Leni Apisai etc.

[Duluth]

@African-Monkey said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

at least bring some guys through for the Blues

Guys like Spencer and Taele need to be playing often

I wan to see the young loosies get a decent crack: Clark, Hainsworth-Fa'aofo, Vai etc

The Blues have room for new blood on the wing too

[Duluth]

Anyone know much about the new players. Cohen Norrie seems to be rated highly?

[antipodean]

Can Bates coach? I expected a much better NPC than what they served up last year.

[Duluth]

@antipodean

Not sure

Forwards were ok last year. Backs were a mess. Poorly selected and Jono Hickey couldn't get the attacking structure working

At least there's been a change to the selection policy of the outside backs

[taniwharugby]

Bates was U20s coach last year wasnt he?

Which TBF in Auckland, would seem like it should be a pretty easy gig with the young talent at his disposal, its getting the right ones, and keeping them would be a huge issue for Auckland.

I believe he was key to retaining Hainsworth-Fa'aofo who is obviously highly rated.

[Bovidae]

@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Anyone know much about the new players. Cohen Norrie seems to be rated highly?

I would liken Norrie to Stanley Solomon. Quick, elusive but not that tall.