Waikato RU is acknowledging Taha Kemara's selection for the Māori so that suggests he isn't joining Ta$man.
Article from the Southland Tribune about the Vaihu signing.
Reads like he was an easy pick up, wanting to play with his MP mates.
@SouthernMann Southland are on a spree this week. They’ve just announced the signings of Josh Augustine and Charlie Marsh. Nice to see Augustine bounce back from a nasty run of injuries.
Great to see a few a few Moana Boys picking up Npc gigs
Joel Lam Otago
Glenn Vaihu Southland
Millennium Saniveri i would imagine would be back at Auckland ?
Miracle Fai’ilagi
Patrick Pelligrini
Israel Leota
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa back to Southland
Ale Aho back to Southland
Allan Craig back to Northland
Chris Apoua back to Northland although that may change
Solomon Alaimalo back to Northland
Faletoi Peni heading to France
Not to sure about these players if the are returning to their respective unions
Counties Manukau
JImmy Tupou
Tevita Ofa
Jonathan Taumateine
Wellington Lions
Dominic Ropeti
JGB
Ta$man Mako
WIlliam Havilli
Canterbury
Tevita Latu
Bop
Lalamilo Lalamilo
Unsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito Tuipulotu
Any word on any of these players ?
Jimmy Tupou, Tevita Ofa, Augy Pulu, have had a few club games in Counties. A couple of the Moli brothers have had games for Karaka during the season. Atu Moli would be a good get for Counties. Some of these players will be busy with Tonga.
Former Taranaki player AJ Lemalu is playing for East Coast Bays in North Harbour club rugby.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Miracle Fai’ilagi
IIRC he signed until the end of 2026 with the Magpies.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Unsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito TuipulotuAny word on any of these players ?
Funnily enough I was having a discussion about Laumape today. He is returning for Manawatu this season. He had operations on both of his knees but sounds like he will be ok for NPC. He is hoping to pick up a gig in France.
Some new faces, and a few backing up from Sat club rugby in the squad to play Hong Kong China. Liam Anderson is the captain of Fraser Tech, only 21.
Only selected from club rugby which explains why some current non-SR Waikato reps aren't included.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Great to see a few a few Moana Boys picking up Npc gigs
Joel Lam Otago
Glenn Vaihu Southland
Millennium Saniveri i would imagine would be back at Auckland ?
Miracle Fai’ilagi
Patrick Pelligrini
Israel LeotaSemisi Tupou Ta’eiloa back to Southland
Ale Aho back to Southland
Allan Craig back to Northland
Chris Apoua back to Northland although that may change
Solomon Alaimalo back to NorthlandFaletoi Peni heading to France
Not to sure about these players if the are returning to their respective unions
Counties Manukau
JImmy Tupou
Tevita Ofa
Jonathan TaumateineWellington Lions
Dominic Ropeti
JGBTa$man Mako
WIlliam HavilliCanterbury
Tevita LatuBop
Lalamilo LalamiloUnsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito TuipulotuAny word on any of these players ?
I think Lalomilo Lalomilo has gone to France. @bones can you confirm?
@African-Monkey all I'll say is I'm moving tomorrow.
Jai Tamati is gone for the season after a knee cartilage injury in Manawatū club game requiring surgery.
Jai Tamati is gone for the season after a knee cartilage injury in Manawatū club game requiring surgery.
Yeah, he was on crutches at the final on Saturday night.
Sounds like the Canes have signed him for 2027 though. Would have been nice to see him in action more but that's rugby.
I went along to watch the Waikato XV-Hong Kong China game. Thankfully the rain stopped for most of the game. A decent enough spectacle although the floodlights aren't great so catching the ball was often a lottery when kicked high. Waikato scored 4 tries to 3 but HKC got a 79th min penalty to win 24-22. Given very few of the Waikato XV team will be anywhere near the NPC squad I think coach Leon Holden will be happy enough. Wearing the New Balance kit too, which doesn't look much different to previous years in style.
Israel Leota signing for Harbour:
@UpTheHarbs Leota is an awesome pick up
