Auckland Rugby 2026

@Duluth I was being a smart****. I will say this apart from Ozich, it seems like jobs for the boys.

Quinton Nichols is playing club rugby for Grammar TEC.

Harlyn Saunoa is playing centre for Pakuranga.

King Maxwell is playing centre for College Rifles.

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?

@Tim yes that him apparently was very unlucky to make the NZ U20 team ..watched him play for Auckland contenders team against Harbour a few weeks ago , 6’9 looked good at line-out time fairly athletic with a bit more size could have end up with a similar shape to Warner Dearns

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.

Gallagher Shield QFs today:

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.

@Tim went to Colin maiden this afternoon. Good tussle. Honestly I enjoyed it way more than professional rugby

Home side got up in what was s tight game until the very end

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

Gallagher Shield SFs tomorrow:

Auckland NPC must be announced soon first day training.

@george33 Normally announced the week after the Gallagher Shield final?

Might be some leaks on the sports photographer websites?

@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

@Tim Few there Perofeta for 1.

Ofa and Pita Ahki also there at training.

Titi Nofoagatotoa is there, also Randell Baker back from Canon Eagles.

Is Tai Cribb there?

Is this Rieko at Auckland training?

Varsity v Grammer . Gallagher Shield.
I've got Grammer by 9.

@george33 I’m hoping Varsity get the job done head coach Jason ‘fritter’ McLean is such a good bugger ..

@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.

Anyone want to take a crack at a 23?

@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

@Duluth Caleb Woodley to get some starts?

@tim

Hopefully

I guess Che Clark will probably be the most experienced loosie? I assume we still have Hainsworth-Fa'aofo? He struggled last season, hopefully he kicks on

Baker looks like a good prospect

@Tim

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.

@zacett that's a pretty strong looking team.

@zacett

Ofa is back with the side as well. Although he may be needed on the SA tour

I would expect Norrie to get some decent game time. Maybe some other u20's introduced? Krone maybe?

Is Saunoa with Auckland? He was only a loan player with Harbour last year

Full NPC squad announcement Tuesday.

Grammer
Varsity.
I've got Grammar .
Looking forward to this .

Heading to the Under 21 Final Ponsonby v Waitemata should be a cracker then off to the Harbour Premier Final Massey v Takapuna

@george33

Geez I thought I was seeing things , check out the number 7 for Varsity