North Harbour Rugby Union (NHRU) are pleased to name their squad for the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season.

In the 39^th year of the union, former All Black, Ben Afeaki, will take the reins as Head Coach for the first time, having previously played 58 matches for NHRU. Spearheaded by Kenny Addison and Rua Tipoki as Assistant Coaches, the side is certain to impress in 2024.

The forward pack includes several experienced players, including Karl Tu’inukuafe at prop. Tu’inukuafe, affectionately known by fans as “Big Karl”, will play his first match for NHRU since 2020, having spent the last two years in France.

Tu’inukuafe, having returned in time to cheer on his club during the Kennards Hire Club Rugby season, reflects, “I’m grateful to be back where it all started and it’s always an honour to wear the jersey. I’ve had so much fun being back alongside my Takapuna brothers, I can’t wait to take the field after so long”.

In the backs, there is another significant returning player, with Bryn Hall lined up to potentially become he seventh centurion in NHRU history. Hall will play his first match for the Union since 2021.

“I’m really excited to be back and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with some of the older players”, emphasises Hall. “I can’t wait to help out the next generation of Harbour men where I can, especially after the last three years of playing in Japan”.

Squad:

Hookers:

• Penaia Cakobau (Mahurangi, development)
• Bryn Gordon (Northcote, 7 caps)
• Shilo Klein (Takapuna, 10 caps)

Props:

• Sam Davies (North Shore, 5 caps)
• Tevita Langi (Massey, 19 caps)
• James Lay (North Shore, new cap)
• Sione Mafile’o (North Shore, 75 caps)
• Tevita Mafile’o (North Shore, 9 caps)
• Fatongia Paea (Massey, 11 caps)
• Karl Tu’inukuafe (Takapuna, 30 caps)

Locks:

• Cam Christie (North Shore, 3 caps)
• James Fiebig (North Shore, 2 caps)
• Ben Grant (East Coast Bays, 7 caps)
• Felix Kalapu (Massey, 8 caps)
• Mahonri Ngakuru (Northcote, 9 caps)

Loose Forwards:

• Tristyn Cook (Takapuna, new cap)
• Talimoni Finau (Takapuna, development)
• Lotu Inisi (Takapuna, 30 caps)
• Tamarau McGahan (Takapuna, 23 caps)
• Jed Melvin (East Coast Bays, 19 caps)
• Karl Ruzich (Northcote, 11 caps)
• Wallace Sititi (Massey, 10 caps)
• Cameron Suafoa (Massey, 23 caps)

Halfbacks:

• Aisea Halo (Takapuna, 6 caps)
• Bryn Hall (Northcote, 89 caps)
• Siaosi Nginingini (Massey, 16 caps)

First-Fives:

• Tane Edmed (Mahurangi, new cap)
• Cam Howell (North Shore, development)
• Oscar Koller (North Shore, 8 caps)

Midfielders:

• Tom Barham (East Coast Bays, 15 caps)
• Leo Gordon (College Rifles, new cap)
• Moses Leo (Takapuna, 10 caps)
• James Little (North Shore, 19 caps)

Outside Backs:

• Kade Banks (Mahurangi, 24 caps)
• Tima Fainga’anuku (North Shore, new cap)
• Fine Inisi (Takapuna, 17 caps)
• Sofai Maka (Takapuna, 5 caps)
• Hunter Rice (North Shore, development)
• Shaun Stevenson (Northcote, 60 caps)
• Mark Tele’a (Massey, 34 caps)

Team Behind the Team:

• Ben Afeaki (Head Coach)
• Kenny Addison (Assistant Coach)
• Rua Tipoki (Assistant Coach)
• Brad Boult (Team Manager)
• Dean Allnutt (Assistant Team Manager)
• Clive Kelly (Assistant Team Manager)
• Chris Smylie (Personal Development Manager)
• Jeremy Adams (Pathways Manager)
• Keishi Ogura (Performance Analyst)
• Nick Marquet (Strength & Conditioning Coach)
• Matt Wenham (Physiotherapist)
• Jaco Pretorious (Physiotherapist)
• Dr Rahul Das (Team Doctor)

Unavailable for Selection:

• James Lay (injury)
• Wallace Sititi (international duty)
• Mark Tele'a (international duty)

For further information or media enquiries, please contact:

Brad Boult

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Team Manager

[email protected]

Article added: Thursday 25 July 2024