Wellington 2025

[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!?

[Canes4life]

@Dancefloor said in Wellington 2025:

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

Agreed, they are also naming the more well known players first, most of them won’t even feature due to AB commitments or because of injury so no major surprises so far.

[Canes4life]

Management team announced:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMMQN6BzWW2/?img_index=1&igsh=MW44Ym54ZHp1dHQwbw==

[DurryMexted]

Head Coach/Party Starter

[Canes4life]

Squad is building nicely with six more announcements. Looks like they are announcing players in order from when they made their debut.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMMrwJUz0-o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[Bones]

Did they think they were the B&I lions and not a fucking NPC team when they bagged that amount of coaches?

[Canes4life]

@Bones said in Wellington 2025:

Did they think they were the B&I lions and not a fucking NPC team when they bagged that amount of coaches?

Champions got to champion.

[Bones]

@Canes4life said in Wellington 2025:

@Bones said in Wellington 2025:

Did they think they were the B&I lions and not a fucking NPC team when they bagged that amount of coaches?

Champions got to champion.

The bank account disagrees.

[Canes4life]

@Bones said in Wellington 2025:

@Canes4life said in Wellington 2025:

@Bones said in Wellington 2025:

Did they think they were the B&I lions and not a fucking NPC team when they bagged that amount of coaches?

Champions got to champion.

The bank account disagrees.

Gone are the days of one head coach and one assistant.