Auckland Rugby 2025

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2025:

NZ U20 lock Josh Tengbald has also signed with Auckland but for the 2027 season , will be linking up with the Highlanders for 2026

That suggests he might be coming back to the Blues too after his Highlanders contract expires?

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2025:

Auckland have signed NZ Under 20 lock Tom Allen from Hawkes Bay
Possibly a trade situation with Zarn Sullivan heading back to the bay
Ponsonby lock Junior Ahokovi i believe is also signed
Varsity lock Tyson Lowry has been signed by Auckland on a PUD contract very much about size although there are question marks about his physicality

NZ U20 lock Josh Tengbald has also signed with Auckland but for the 2027 season , will be linking up with the Highlanders for 2026

Adrian Choat also still part of the Auckland squad
Visa issue i am hearing ( something to do with a scrape with the law a couple of years ago )

You've also got Tai Cribb coming your way as well.

Interesting Tongblad has made such a long-term decision around his provincial future. Just hope that it is dividing his time between Auckland for NPC and the Landers for Super. A locking combo of him and Holland has a lot of potential. Would be disappointing if he is lost after one year. I've got no issue with players spending their development years in Dunedin, locking them in for Super and going back to their provincial unions for NPC. It is a development comp. If he is good enough, he will be a potential AB anyway. I'd much rather see the Landers win than the focus primarily being on Otago. Both winning would be great. With the mix of players from around the country and coaching talent, we have a better chance of being a successful Super side than an NPC team. The region needs to prioritise.

@Duluth be interesting to track his progress at the Highlanders could do with another 10 to 15kgs on his frame
would make a good combo with Behree at Npc level

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2025:

@Duluth be interesting to track his progress at the Highlanders could do with another 10 to 15kgs on his frame
would make a good combo with Behree at Npc level

..and if he does go to the Blues he'd be ready to step up about the time Tuipulotu finishes up

The length of his Highlanders contract will be a pointer. I doubt we'd want to sign a development player to a one year deal, to have him leave the year later. The people I have spoken to seemed to have indicated he was part of the long-term future for the Landers.

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?

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.

@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

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

@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

@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.

@Steven-Harris Oh I forgot Saunoa - added.

@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?

@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 Ah that explains why the squad is so large

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

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

@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.

@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