North Harbour 2025

Signings so far:

Props:
Sam Davies
James Lay (did not play last year due to a prolonged injury)
Sione Mafile’o
Riley Tofilau? (potential new signing, NZ U20s rep)

Hookers:
Bryn Gordon

Locks:
Cam Christie (unavailable for the season due to a thumb injury during Super Rugby)
Felix Kalapu
Jack Lee
Mahonri Ngakuru
Tom Savage (new signing from Moana Pasifika)

Loose Forwards:
Tristyn Cook
Du'Plessis Kirifi? (Rumoured, see NPC thread)
Tamarau McGahan
Jed Melvin
Karl Ruzich
Wallace Sititi (on ABs duty, currently injured)
Murphy Taramai? (Potential return)

Halfbacks:
Luke Donaldson? (Potential new signing, see NPC thread)
Bryn Hall? (Could become our newest centurion if he stays on)

First Fives:
Oscar Koller
Cam Howell
Patrick Pellegrini (new signing from Moana Pasifika)

Midfielders:
Tom Barham

Outside Backs:
Kade Banks
Sofai Maka
Mark Tele’a (his final season on NZ soil)

Losses:
Tane Edmed
Fine Inisi (Dragons RFC, Wales)
Moses Leo (Melbourne Storm, NRL)
Tevita Mafile'o (Bay of Plenty
Samuel Slade (Unknown)
Shaun Stevenson (Kubota Spears, Japan)
Karl Tu'inukuafe (Retired)

Had heard a few whispers re Murphy Taramai being back!

@JK He was playing for Northcote in their last three games of the season after coming back from Japan so that was obviously a good sign.

Also saw the news that Julian Savea is staying with Wellington despite the earlier rumours that he might stay in Harbour territory and play NPC for us. This would have filled some gaps in our backline spots, even if it was just for this season.

@UpTheHarbs said in North Harbour 2025:

@JK He was playing for Northcote in their last three games of the season after coming back from Japan so that was obviously a good sign.

Also saw the news that Julian Savea is staying with Wellington despite the earlier rumours that he might stay in Harbour territory and play NPC for us. This would have filled some gaps in our backline spots, even if it was just for this season.

He lives up the street from me. Already had a few words to him about it over the years!

@Canes4life said in North Harbour 2025:

When was DPK rumoured to be heading to North Harbour? Hadn’t heard that one.

See the NPC thread

@UpTheHarbs Moses Leo, what happened at the Storm thought he was contracted through to 2026?

@SBW1 He left Harbour early at the end of last season. He has played two games so far for the Storm - including that one against the Wahs where he was tackled by Metcalf on his way to the try line.

Injured currently - or was for a long period

@zedsdeadbaby He returned from injury to play for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup in the weekend. Was named in the Storm's extended bench against the Knights but he was cut before kickoff.

Ah nice - I thought he looked promising in his couple of games he did play in first grade.

@Canes4life Jacob Pierce

@george33 said in North Harbour 2025:

@Canes4life Jacob Pierce

He was never a Hurricane though…

I was wondering if Zinzan Hansen would make the squad. I had noticed he had returned to play for Massey. He never really got many opportunities for Waikato.

Is Cam Christie injured? He has a not available asterisk next to his name

@Duluth He is. Had a thumb injury during Super Rugby

Lots of fresh faces in the squad this year, here's my predicted 23 to take on the Turbos in round 1.

1. James Lay
2. Bryn Gordon
3. Sione Mafile'o
4. Tom Savage
5. Jack Lee
6. Tristyn Cook
7. Jed Melvin
8. Murphy Taramai
9. Manu Paea
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. Sofai Maka
12. Tom Barham
13. Tima Fainga'anuku
14. Mark Tele'a
15. Kade Banks
16. Penaia Cakobau
17. Leka Tu'ungafasi
18. Riley Tofilau
19. Felix Kalapu
20. Karl Ruzich
21. Siaosi Nginingini
22. Oscar Koller
23. Tika Lelenga

Interesting Suafoa was named in the squad. I thought his days would be done.

@brodean said in North Harbour 2025:

Interesting Suafoa was named in the squad. I thought his days would be done.

He's got a star against his name which states he is unavailable for selection.

Dangerous back three. Harbour struggled a bit last year but I think they had the best try highlights in the comp

Tom Savage is our captain this year.
Tom Savage confirmed as North Harbour Captain for 2025 Bunnings Warehouse NPC

Any word on Mark Tele'a? He's not named in the 23 to take on Manawatū so he must be injured or rested.

Maybe he’s going to Argentina

Any updates on our current injury status?
Ruzich, Tele'a, Banks and Gage Jackson (last week's debutant) are out of the 23 to face Hawkes Bay on Saturday.
Barham, Vikena and I think Pellegrini are all injured after the loss to Manawatu.

@UpTheHarbs Pellegrini isn't injured he's away on Test duty for Tonga

@Grooter Forgot about that, I don't really pay too much attention to Pacific Island international rugby.

@Mr-Fish he’s not playing this week.