Any other Auckland players from the 2000s/2010s looking for a gig?
@MacDazzler said in Auckland Rugby 2026
Auckland will have more coaches than players at this rate.
?
Same number of coaches as other NPC sides
11 days later
Quinton Nichols is playing club rugby for Grammar TEC.
Harlyn Saunoa is playing centre for Pakuranga.
Mike Sosene-Feagai is playing hooker for Marist, and Siaosi Nginingini
is playing halfback for them. Maliu Niuafe is back playing prop for them too.
Is the Jay Fonokalafi playing 6 for Ponsonby the NSW and Tonga prop? Looks like he played prop or hooker for them this year too.
The Tevita Tatafu playing lock for Ponsonby is the tall lock from St Peters?
I was wondering what happened to the 6'9 St Peters College lock. Assume he's in the Auck/Blues development system?
In terms of this season you'd have to think it's do or die for Bates, I can't see him being reappointed if we have a similar season to last year. With Parkes, Ozich and Hicks at least he's got some good coaches with international experience around him.
I see former NZ U20 Tighthead Prop Maliu Niuafe is back in the country turning out for Marist today. Maybe here for a crack at NPC or even Super Rugby? Cali born Kiwi raised, been playing MLR for 2 seasons and 2 tests for the U.S. Eagles last year. Still only 22 years old.
@Daffy-Jaffy Codi Vai at 12 is interesting. Hope he bulks up a bit for next year.
Former Wallaby U20 no 8 Titi Nofogatotoa who made his debut off the bench for the Western Force in Round 1 of Super Rugby back in 2024 rocked up for Manukau Rovers at number 8 on the weekend
Not gonna lie our young Waitemata team had all sorts of problems putting him down on the carry , so bloody powerful
Little bit of talk around that he might be an outside chance for the Auckland NPC squad he’s 23 years old
@tim said in Auckland Rugby 2026:
Might be some leaks on the sports photographer websites?
Haha, yes every year the squad is mostly available on photosport as they do the headshots before the squad is named. It's normally the squad plus a few extras
@george33 said in Auckland Rugby 2026:
Varsity v Grammer . Gallagher Shield.
I've got Grammer by 9.
University got up over the 1 seed Ponsonby away. Bloody impressive.
Pita Ahki
Harford is back. He's been disappointing in his handful of matches. Hopefully Perofeta and Simpson get most of the game time
@tim said in Auckland Rugby 2026:
Anyone want to take a crack at a 23?
Loosies are probably the hardest to guess right now.. particularly with Segner busy with the ABs
1 Josh Fusitua (17: Ben Ake)
2 Soane Vikena (16:Luka Makata)
3 Sione Ahio (18:Angus Ta'avao)
4 Josh Beehre
5 Liam Hallam Eames
6 Kitiona Vai (19: Randall Baker)
7 Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo (20:Caleb Woodley)
8 Che Clarke
9 Taufa Funaki (21:Pele Cowley)
10 Stephen Perofeta (22: Rico Simpson)
11 Xavier Tito Harris
12 Pita Ahki (23:Tanielu Tele'a)
13 Xavi Taele
14 Codie Vai
15 Payton Spencer
Someone asked thr Otago admin about Josh Tengblad. They confirmed what was said heere last year. Is now with Auckland. Will still be off with injury for several more weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing him back on the paddock.
