Auckland Rugby 2026

Varsity won 31 to 25

@Tim Yay!. Even though it wasn't my Ponies that did it, its always good to see the evil empire vanquished again.

Auckland NPC named tomorrow.
Any new names ? Probably 3 or 4 .

Probably 9 actually

@george33

Do you have any guesses who the new players could be?

@Duluth Boston Krone?

@george33 being around the club scene you normally hear a few rumours but this year it’s been tighter than a …!
from my Northland source that Liam Hallam Eames and Quinton Nichols were in be a bit of surprise for mine but they are experienced
Hallam Eames has had a solid club season and Nichols has come back from Japanese 3rd Division rugby
Should post the lock ins and see how we go

Auckland team should be out soon.
Delayed Media day today, posts have been put up.

A left field pick in the squad - Harvey Cordukes - 21 year old Lock from the Brumbies, 202cm and 122 kilograms according to the Brumbies website.

Am guessing could look something like this

Outside backs - Payton Spencer, Cohen Norrie, Cody Vai, Xavier Tito Harris, Charlie Howlett, Harlyn Saunoa

Midfield- Reiko Ioane, Quinton Nichols, Xavier Taele, Angus Revell

First fives - Alex Hartford, Rico Simpson

Half backs - Taufa Funaki,Riley Williams, Boston Krone

Loosies - Randal Baker, Aio Keith,Sam Hainsworrth, Caleb Woodley, che Clark,Logan Platt

Locks - Josh Beehre, Liam Hallam Eames , Harvey Cordukes, Tevita Tatafu

Props - Angus Taavao, Malu Ngiuafe, Ofa T, Ben Ake, Josh Fusitua

Hookers - Soane Vikena, Nathaniel Pole, Xavier Leota

Not sure on Sione Ahio availability. James Ascot I assume still recovering from shoulder surgery

@Kiwidom Ahio was in training pics. Also spotted Sam Davies, Ofa Topeni, King Maxwell, Sika Pole. Tai Cribb and Josh Tengblad at Lock. Plus the young Aussie Loosie Titi Nofoagatotoa. Also Pita Ahki and Steven Perofeta are around I think. Plus Kitiona Vai.

Thoight Perofeta was gone already. Great if Tengblad is back from injury
Still a very youthful and inexperienced squad however

@Kiwidom said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

Thoight Perofeta was gone already

Its possible that Perofeta was just training with the team to keep fit. I kinda hope he is gone. Simpson needs time in the saddle to get experience.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

@Kiwidom Ahio was in training pics. Also spotted Sam Davies, Ofa Topeni, King Maxwell, Sika Pole. Tai Cribb and Josh Tengblad at Lock. Plus the young Aussie Loosie Titi Nofoagatotoa. Also Pita Ahki and Steven Perofeta are around I think.

Glad Sika Pole is still around

@WoodysRFC He has been playing for Castricumse Rugby Club in Portugal. My mention of him is from a training pic that looked like him. There is also a "leaving" post on their Insta thanking him.

Most likely Squad come out after Pre - Season game today.

I guess the double Asterix players are injured and won't play. (Funaki, Tengblad, Ahloo and Tangitau).
Suanoa or Maxwell could see game time at centre if there are midfield injuries.

@daffy-jaffy said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

Suanoa or Maxwell could see game time at centre if there are midfield injuries

Have either of them played much there?

Even without the Calebs there's load of talent in that back three. Good depth at prop. Very little experience in the loosies.

@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

Have either of them played much there?

Had noticed that both primarily played in midfield in club rugby this year. Anyone know where they played for U20 and Super Rugby dev teams?

@Tim Both were wing or 23 for NZ U20's. Suanoa was wing with the dev team this season. Maxwell did not play dev. I think he was training with NZ sevens. So club might be their only experience in the midfield.

More likely Codie Vai and Xavier Tito Harris are the midfield cover than Maxwell or Saunoa.
Codie been playing 12 at club level this year and Xavier played 12 at highschool and for Blues U20

So what's the 23?

1 Fusitua
2 Vikena
3 Ahio
4 Beehre
5 Cordukes
6 Clark
7 Woodley
8 Baker

9 Funaki
10 Perofeta
11 Vai
12 Ahki
13 Taele
14 Tito-Harris
15 Spencer

16 Pole
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Ta'avao
19 Hallam-Eames
20 Hainsworth-Fa'aofo
21 Nginingini
22 Saunoa/Nichols
23 Norrie/Simpson

@tim said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

9 Funaki

He was named in the squad but was also listed as having a season ending injury