With the NPC season fast approaching I thought it was time to make some predictions about who may be in the 2023 squad.
Last year a 38-man squad was named, six of which never played due to long-term injuries. A few additional players were introduced during the season like Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Patrick McCurran and Tana Tuhakaraina.
So based on last year's squad:
Hookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Rhys Marshall
Sam Cooper (never played)
Steven Misa (never played)
Pita Anae-Ah Sue
Taukei’aho won't be available but I am assuming Marshall and Anae-Ah Sue will be back. Neither Cooper or Misa seem to be playing club rugby at the moment. If Filipo opts for a younger third hooker the options are Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead (currently injured), Sean Ralph, or maybe Matt Dobbyn.
Props
Ayden Johnstone
Ollie Norris
George Dyer
Sefo Kautai
Rob Cobb - transferred to Northland
Solomone Tukuafu
A replacement LH will be needed with Mason Tupaea at the top of the list.
Locks
Laghlan McWhannell
James Tucker
Hamilton Burr
James Thompson - seems to have transferred to C-M
At least one new lock will be required. Zinzan Hansen and Andrew Smith are two U20 players who could fill that gap, or Tom Martin used as a lock.
Loose forwards
Mitch Jacobson
Jack Lam
Samipeni Finau
Patrick McCurran
Tom Martin
Liam Messam - retired
Luke Jacobson
Simon Parker
Te Rama Reuben
Up to three of this group could be unavailable due to international duties. Parker and Martin are back after missing last season. McCurran could be used as a backup 7 to M Jacobson. The younger group of loosies would include Jonty Short, Senita Lauaki, Xavier Saifoloi and Malachai Wrampling-Alec.
Halfbacks
Xavier Roe
Cortez Ratima
Rhys Dickinson
1st 5s
Damian McKenzie
Taha Kemara
Another 1st 5 will be needed, preferably one with more experience. Maybe Ioane gets shoulder-tapped?
Midfield backs
D’Angelo Leuila
Anton Lienert-Brown
Quinn Tupaea
Alapati Leuia - hopefully gone
Gideon Wrampling
Bailyn Sullivan
Tana Tuhakaraina
ALB will be hoping to make the AB RWC squad, as will Leuila with Samoa. Levi Rewiti would be at the top of the queue for a young midfield back. I don't know what has happened to Quinnlan Tupou.
Outside backs
Daniel Sinkinson
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Mosese Dawai
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Ryan Tongia (never played) - hopefully gone
If Cook-Savage is committed to sevens then at least two extra outside backs will be needed. My guess is Cody Nordstrom and Latrell Smiler-Ah-Kiong. Tuhakaraina could be used as a winger. Waisake Salabiau is an option on the wing, assuming he has moved to Waikato and is not just a paid employee of Hautapu. Jole Naufahu is another development player.
@ploughboy and @OleOleOle might have some thoughts on other club players in contention, or rumours of players from outside the province.
