Auckland Rugby 2026

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

Mentioned to me that both Liam Hallam Eames and Quinton Nichols will be named in the Auckland squad

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

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

He's played there before this season for Varsity

@KiwiMurph realised that but thought he was back in Ta$man Varsity are gonna need him as G-Tech go in as favourites

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?