Wellington club rugby gains and losses 2023

The 2023 Wellington club rugby season kicks off this coming Saturday. Round one Swindale Shield teams will be named here in the Draws & Results section (above) on Friday by the noon hour.

As usual there’s plenty of player movement between clubs and players coming into senior rugby from school. There’s also the usual smattering of players from elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas, but there’s also been a large exodus this year, particularly to overseas and to the 13-man code.

The information is as provided by the clubs with some obtained from elsewhere, so may not represent a complete list.

AVALON

Also known as: Wolves

Colours:  Maroon and Blue

Playing out of:  Fraser Park Sportsville, Lower Hutt

Coach: Thomas Kiwara, succeeding Logan Ili

Gains: Ryan Nepia (Returning), Thau Taape, Pablo Farreira, Enos Palamene, Ilai Maravu

Losses: Akuila Alatini (Retired), Neru Lafaele (Suspension, season), Chris Lafaele, Teofilo Paulo (HOBM), Moo Falaniko (HOBM), Jordan Sului (Petone), Daley Ena (Australia)

Super Rugby: Asafo Aumua

 

HUTT OLD BOYS MARIST

Also known as: The Eagles

Colours:  Green, Red, and White

Playing out of: Hutt Recreation Ground

Coach: Justin Wilson Sr (Kent Harris returns to Director of Rugby role)

Gains: Teofilo Paulo (Avalon), Moo Falaniko (Avalon), Lise Soloa (Auckland), Harrison Boyle (Otago/Major League Rugby), Justin Wilson Jr (Wainuiomata)

Losses: Matt Sleith (Retired), Fritz Rayasi (Upper Hutt), Heremoni Nepo (Auckland), Vili Tauofaga (Australia), Jordan-Glen Bradbrook (UK), Jason Hoffman (UK), Fereti Soloa (League), Anthony Utanga (League), Oakley Edmonds (League)

 

JOHNSONVILLE

Also known as: Hawks

Colours:  Dark and Light Blue hoops

Playing out of:  Helston Park

Coach: Jason Adamson

Gains: Anthony Pettett (Injury), Jack Taulapapa (Hiatus), Mike Faimalo (Injury), Morgan Williams (Otago), Andy Ellis (Overseas), Billy Bryce (Australia), Finlay Sharp (UK), Regan Herbert (UK), Joe Little (UK), Paul Stack (Ireland), William Girardin (France)

Losses: Serge Hollis (Coaching), Tevita Falekakala (Injured), EJ Roebeck (Year Off), Rodney Roebeck (Norths), Olly Paotonu (Australia), Koloa Aisake (Australia), Levi Grace (Australia), Sam Green (France), Jed Mitchell (Canada)

 

MARIST ST PAT’S

Also known as: The Red Machine, Scarlets

Colours:  Scarlet jersey, white shorts, dark blue and green socks

Playing out of: Evans Bay Park, Kilbirnie

Coach: Fa’atonu Fili

Gains: Andre Hart (Injury), Cavunailoa Yabakivou (Jville), Makaere Wiki (Northland), Grecia Taele (Auckland), Sanasco Crichton (Southland), Jack O’Brien (St John’s Hamilton), Francis Mettrick (Town), Elysium Tolova’a-Stanley (Town), Ben Higgs (Town), Nathan Carr (Town), Dallas Natoli (Town), Loto Va (Well. Coll), Kobe Lolesio (Basketball)

Losses: Josh To’omaga (Injury), Vince Sakaria (Injury), Ano Kapeli (Work), Ami Paongo (Work), Hans Pama (Auckland)

Super Rugby: Billy Proctor, Aidan Morgan

 

NORTHERN UNITED

Also known as: Bulldogs

Colours:  Blue and White with Red trim

Playing out of: Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park

Coach: Grainger Heikell

Gains: Gerard Faitotoa (Australia)

Losses: Blake Rogers (Unavailable), Losi Filipo (Petone), Dale Sabbagh (Pare-Plim), Luke Kapene (Pare-Plim), Jendrick Masoe (Pare-Plim), Sione Baker (Southland), Junior Time-Taotua (Australia), Jayden McCarthy (Australia), Noah Ironside (Australia), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Japan)

Super Rugby: TJ Perenara (also injured), DuPlessis Kirifi, Connor Garden-Bachop, Leni Apisai

 

OLD BOYS-UNIVERSITY

Also known as: The Fighting Billygoats, Goats

Colours:  Green and white hooped jerseys with black collar and black shorts

Playing out of: Rugby League Park

Coach: Anthony Rehutai

Gains: Ish Perkins (Canterbury), Jackson Wright (Canterbury), Frank Anderson (Otago), Louis Calvert (Otago), Douglas Perrers (Australia), Graeme Bartlett (UK)

Losses: Matt Eathorne (Injury), Dominic Ropeti (Ories), Josh Gimblett (Hawkes Bay), Tobias Christensen (Auckland), George Faainga (Australia), Tiaki Fabish (Spain), Wes Goosen (Scotland), Veikoso Poloniati (France)

Super Rugby: Caleb Delany, Taine Plumtree

 

ORIENTAL-RONGOTAI

Also known as: Ories, O-Tide, Magpies

Colours:  Black and White hoops

Playing out of: Polo Grounds, Miramar

Coach: Mason Malagamaali’i

Gains: Manase Sului (Injury), Dominic Ropeti (OBU), Ethan Rangi (Jville), Johnny Maiava (Wgtn), Daniel Tafili (Wgtn), Alex Ropeti (Auckland), Isaac Bracewell (Hawkes Bay), Ronaldo Seumanufagai (Southland), Salesa Seumanufagai (Town), Joshua Semu (Well. Coll), Braedyn Togi (Rongotai), Pharell Gray (Rongotai), Enesi Tuilaepa (Rongotai), Nehemiah Akeripa (Taita)

Losses: Whetu Henry (Retired), Anthony Samuela (Study), Ethan Webster-Nonu (Pare-Plim), Chops Taituave (MSP), Alex Fidow (Australia), Saia Paese (Australia)

Super Rugby: Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Xavier Numia
NZ Sevens: Roderick Solo

 

PAREMATA-PLIMMERTON

Also known as: Pare-Plim, The Hammerheads

Colours:  Black with Yellow and Red hoops

Playing out of: Ngati Toa Domain, Mana

Coach: Gerard Fasavalu

Gains: Luke Omeri (Year Off), Dale Sabbagh (Norths), Luke Kapene (Norths), Tony Coburn (Wgtn), Ethan Webster-Nonu (Ories)

Losses: Teariki Kie Tonga (Retired), Mitch Taupau (Work), Fuli Kupa (Work), Tana Tusa (Injury), Matt de Terte (work), Jonty Boyd (Tawa – coaching), Taisson Lealaisalanoa (Australia), Kayden Muller (Australia), Jayden Keats (UK), Eli Moata’a (League), Konelio Feaunati (League), Rikeli Grey (League)

 

PETONE

Also known as: Villagers

Colours:  Navy Blue jersey with White shoulder saddle

Playing out of: Petone Recreation Ground  

Coach: Ryan Piper

Gains: Bailee Laurenson-Tupai (Injury), Losi Filipo (Norths), Jordan Sului (Avalon), Lionel Taito (Stokes Valley), Tei Miti (Stokes Valley), Stanley Solomon (Well. Coll), Ben Kershaw (Silverstream), Connor Tuifao (Silverstream), Lennox Easthope (Silverstream), Connor Vlas (Silverstream)

Losses: Jack Ross (Retired), Pek Cowan (Retired), Jacob Gooch (Injury), Iona Apineru (Injury), Mitchell Southall (Injury), Ta’amilo Va’a (Injury), Sam Blackburn (Year Off), Julius Masoe (Poneke), Ben Brooking (Wai-Bush), Tupou Sopoaga (Australia), Zeke Sopoaga (Australia)

Super Rugby: James Blackwell, Peter Lakai, Riley Higgins

 

PONEKE

Also known as: Street Kids.

Colours:  Red and Black hoops

Playing out of: Kilbirnie Park

Coach: Reggie Goodes

Gains: Julius Masoe (Petone), Matawhero Wakefield-Sciascia (OBU), Tevita Vatuvei (Waikato), Harry Semple (Thames Valley), Ratu Bishop (Tasman), Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (Otago), Jahzeel Marais (Overseas), Cameron Pryde (Scotland), Carlos Hihi (Gisborne Boys), Sam Meo (Well. Coll), Moli Taulogo (Rongotai)

Losses: DJ Taoipu (Manawatu), Pakai Turia (Australia), Jimmy Hewitt (Australia)

Super Rugby: Dane Coles

 

TAWA

Also known as: The Wolfpack

Colours:  Blue, Red and Gold

Playing out of:  Lyndhurst Park, Tawa

Coach: Steve So’oialo

Gains: Tony Solomona (Otago)

Losses: Lipa Saveatama (Injury), TJ Fermanis (Family), Ben Aumua-Peseta (Canterbury)

Super Rugby: Pepesana Patafilo, PJ Sheck

 

UPPER HUTT RAMS

Also known as: The Rams

Colours: Black with Maroon, Gold, Orange, and Black quarters

Playing out of: Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt

Coaches: Adam Campbell/Matt Lee

Gains: Fritz Rayasi (HOBM), Jacob Beaumont (Petone), Nic ‘Apikatoa (Hawkes Bay), Soli Malatai (Wai-Bush), Senio Sanele (Silverstream), Toby Mallon (Silverstream), Emmanuel Solomona (Silverstream), Tavis Polglase (Silverstream), Devon Sopoaga (Well. Coll), Abraham Fletcher (Well. Coll), Zion Fuiava (Town), Flynn Morgan (Upper Hutt Coll.)

Losses: Tafa Tafa (Wai-Bush)

Super Rugby: Dominic Bird

 

WAINUIOMATA

Also known as: Wainui, the Nui.  

Colours: Black and Green

Playing out of: William Jones Park

Coach: Daniel Smith

Gains: Zane Humphrey (Injury), TJ Va’a (Injury), Mikade Fono (Upper Hutt), Josh Robertson-Weepu (Otago), Ma’a Tauaneai (St Bernard’s)

Losses: Uale Mai (Retired, again), Justin Wilson (HOBM), Pala Mailangi (Australia), Jarimar Schuster

Super Rugby: Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ruben Love

 

WELLINGTON

Also known as: The Axemen  

Colours: Black and Gold

Playing out of: Hataitai Park.

Coaches: Dion Waller

Gains: 

Losses: Tony Coburn (Pare-Plim), Johnny Maiava (Ories), Tom Robertson (UK)

Wellington haven’t replied to our request for information.

 

WELLINGTON RUGBY REFEREES

2023 Premier Panel: Jamie Fairmaid, Zarne Johnson, Charlie Harris, Ethan Loveridge, Daniel Mangin, Hamish Mexted, Luke Pearce, Tomas Roche, Jack Sargentina, Matt Thomas, Ben van Berkel

Losses: Mike Fraser (NZR Professional – retired), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Steve Newson (stepped down), Ryan McLean