Wellington club rugby Gains and Losses 2024

The 2024 Wellington club rugby season gets underway this Saturday, with Round one Swindale Shield teams named here in the Draws & Results section (above) on Friday.

As is the norm these days, there’s a good deal of movement between clubs while there is also those coming into the province or leaving in search of other opportunities. For completeness we have also included those school leavers named in our article last week though many are unlikely to see much, if any, action in a Premier match this year. We have also listed Wellington-contracted Super Rugby players.

This information has largely been provided to us by the clubs themselves with some obtained through cross-referencing and from other channels but is unlikely to be a complete list. Updated with Johnsonville entries. 

AVALON

Also known as: Wolves

Colours: Maroon and Blue

Playing out of: Fraser Park Sportsville, Lower Hutt

Coach: Thomas Kiwara

Gains: Quinn O’Kane (St Bernard’s), Matthew Andrews (Naenae Coll)

Losses: Garry Tuileketu (Warriors U21s), Enos Palemene (Pare-Plim)

Super Rugby: Asafo Aumua

 

HUTT OLD BOYS MARIST

Also known as: The Eagles

Colours: Red, White, and Green

Playing out of: Hutt Recreation Ground

Coach: Simon Maleulu (succeeding Justin Wilson Sr)

Gains: Kienan Higgins (Hawkes Bay), Harry Press (Otago), Sam Morgan (Otago), Vili Tauafaga (Australia), Fereti Soloa (League), Albert Polu (League) Oakli Wilson-Tiotio (Injury)

Losses: Wille Rua (Australia), Lise Soloa (Family), Harrison Boyle (Injury)

Super Rugby: James O’Reilly

 

JOHNSONVILLE

Also known as: Hawks

Colours: Dark and Light Blue hoops

Playing out of: Helston Park

Coach: Jason Adamson and Dallas Paotonu

Gains: Dylan Selkirk  (back from injury), Yuu (Ken) Kurihana (Japan),  Cody Davy (Hawke’), Dave Ponting (OBU),  Jacob Kennedy (Well Coll), Jake Wetere (Tasman), Koloa Aisake (back from overseas), Seamus Rowberry -(U85s), Tahana Firmin (U85s), Taani Mafile’o (HOBM), Connor Fitzsimons (Ireland)

Losses: Ants Pettett (overseas), EJ Roebeck (overseas), James Douglas (overseas), Mike Faimalo (overseas), Sam Green (overseas)

 

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

Coach: Sean Horan (succeeding Fa’atonu Fili)

Gains: Grayson Whitman (Ories), Eamonn Carr (Tawa), Tomasi Connor (OBU), Vince Sakaria (Year off), Josh Toomaga (Year off), Sage Aukustino (League), Ivan Fepuleai (Australia), Rique Miln (Australia), Sam Connor (UK), Taufa Kaufononga (Hastings Boys), Solomona Vaka (St Pats Town), Noah Misa-Paese (St Pats Town), Petonio Foaese (St Pats Town), William Thurston (Stream), Adam Perkins (Return to rugby)

Losses: Steve Moli (Retired), Mikaere Wiki (Year off), Andrew Wells (Wainuiomata), James Tuiatua (Wgtn), Ben Tuiatua (Wgtn), Tui Tuiatua (Wgtn), Ami Paongo (Wgtn), Ken Kapeli (Wgtn), Chicago Doyle (Ories), Curtis Finnigan (Auckland), Grady Walshe (Auckland), Logan Love (Manawatu), Zack Paterson (Australia), Luke Donaldson (UK)

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: Blake Rogers (Year off), Johnny Teleaga (League), Alila Afutoto (Auckland), Toby Kennett (Otago), Jayde Burns (St Pats Town), Ezekiel Hotai (Well. Coll), Fiti Aliva (Well. Coll), Rakai Paea (Mana), Tane Landon-Lane (Aotea), Arkaid Edmonds (Kings College)

Losses: Quaid Martin-Laumatia (Year off), Solomona Sakalia (Year off), Bayden Vaai (Year off), Dudley Parsons (Work), Boston Hunt (OBU), Zac Hunt (OBU), Ropati Sooalo (Otago), Flavius Roberts-Vili (Otago), Sia Ulugia-Mao (Overseas), Javan Upton (Overseas)

Super Rugby: TJ Perenara, DuPlessis Kirifi, Connor Garden-Bachop,

 

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 and Nairnville Park

Coach: Anthony Rehutai

Gains: Tofuka Paongo (Tawa), Boston Hunt (Norths), Zac Hunt (Norths), Ben Brooking (Wai-Bush), Zak Pene (Otago, Gareth Ward-Allen (Otago), Seth Brown (Tasman), Ayden Mackie (Otago), Riley Forbes (Otago), Jermaine Pepe (Otago), Wim Zimmermann (Switzerland), Manu Latu (Australia), Harry Irving (Scots), Finn O’Sullivan (Well Coll), Ollie Cuff (Silverstream)

Losses: Tomasi Connor (OBU), Nic Mannix (Petone), James Holbrook (Family), Cameron Jackson (Waikato), Isileli Aholelei (Auckland), Samson Koneferensi (Australia), Isaac Wilson (Australia), Taine Plumtree (Wales)

Super Rugby: Caleb Delany

 

ORIENTAL-RONGOTAI

Also known as: Ories, O-Tide, Magpies

Colours:  Black and White hoops

Playing out of: Polo Grounds, Miramar

Coach: Whetu Henry (succeeding Mason Malagamaali’i)

Gains: Chicago Doyle (MSP), Tuga Mativa (MSP), Tavita Johnson (MSP), Jericho Alaimoana (MSP), Jordan Alaimoana (MSP), Poto Tiatia (Poneke), Moli Taulago (Poneke), Benji Mathews (MSP), Tui Lefao (MSP), Dominic Johnson (MSP), Ola Vaai (Unretired), Herman Seumanufagai (League), Makhai Aukuso-Lolo (Rongotai), Pumba Siaosi (Rongotai)

Losses: Alex Fidow (Pare-Plim), Grayson Whitman (MSP), Malachai Unasa (BoP), Teni Tautua’a (BoP), Isalei Pouvalu (League), Sini Gray (League), George Toulis (Auckland), Enesi Tuilaepa (Australia), Jordan Tuilaepa (Australia)

Super Rugby: Xavier Numia, Dominic Ropeti

 

PAREMATA-PLIMMERTON

Also known as: Pare-Plim, The Hammerheads

Colours:  Black with Yellow and Red hoops

Playing out of: Ngati Toa Domain

Coach: Gerard Fasavalu

Gains: Alex Fidow (Ories), Ezekiel Fiso (Poneke), Sam Meo (Poneke), Enos Palemene (Avalon), Matt Goosen (Work), Kody McGovern (UK), Raniera Mihaere (Australia), Sio Letele (Bishop Viard), Diontae Marsh-Beddie (Aotea), Marley Fretton (Rongotai), Otis Baker (Mana), Jason Faleafaga (Mana)

Losses: Mellenniumma Leota (UK), Luke Kapene (Australia), Knox Tuinasau (Auckland), Ryan McLean (Old/Work)

 

PETONE

Also known as: Villagers

Colours: Navy Blue jersey with White shoulder saddle

Playing out of: Petone Recreation Ground  

Coach: Ryan Piper

Gains: Nic Mannix (OBU), Taualai Tofilau (Sth Canty), Lachie Forbes (Otago), Marco Venter (Otago), Braith Ingram (Gisborne BHS), Isikeli Fukofuka (Australia), Kafaongo Katoa (Australia), Belgium Tuatagaloa (France)

Losses: Jack Ross (Retired, again), Pek Cowan (Retired, again), Carne Green (Retired, coaching), Hoani Tui (Retired), Dylan Williamson (Family), Iona Apineru (Injured), Josh Southall (Injured), Alapati Soke (Injured), Filipo Sipaia (Injured), Lester Maulolo (Injured), Jono Bailey (Injured), Jordan Sului (Wainuiomata)

Super Rugby: Peter Lakai, Riley Higgins, Losi Filipo, Brad Shields

 

PONEKE

Also known as: Street Kids.

Colours: Red and Black hoops

Playing out of: Kilbirnie Park

Coach: Ross Bond (succeeding Reggie Goodes who remains as assistant)

Gains: DJ Taoipu (Manawatu), Isiah Opai (Otago), Kohu Whakahoehoe (Otago), Devon Sopoaga (Upper Hutt), El Nino Peniamina (Injury), Toby Pendle (UK), Wilf Batham-Read (UK), Ben Soli (St Pats Town), Charlie Manger (UK), Oliver Wigman (UK)

Losses: Ezekiel Fiso (Pare-Plim), Sam Meo (Pare-Plim), Antonio Vaka (MSP), Julius Masoe (Injury), Cole Stewart (Retired, again), Sam Howling (Auckland), George Jacobs (Manawatu), Abraham Mataitini (Taranaki), Matawhero Wakefield-Sciascia (Hawkes Bay), Tevita Vatuvei (Australia), Jack Tully (Ireland)

 

TAWA

Also known as: The Wolfpack

Colours: Blue, Red and Gold

Playing out of: Lyndhurst Park

Coach: Steve So’oialo

Gains: Howard Ah Ching (Hawkes Bay), Connor Sharrock (Australia), Jacob Denyer, Ele Lupo (Well Coll), Aloai’I Faaita (St Pats Town), Anthony Hunt (Tawa Coll), Evan Paenga (Mana)

Losses: Tofuka Paongo (OBU), Eamonn Carr (MSP), Lumafale Lualua (Australia), George Risale (Australia), George Sims (Ireland)

Super Rugby: Siale Lauaki, Pepesana Patafilo, PJ Sheck, Hugo Plummer

 

UPPER HUTT RAMS

Also known as: The Rams

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

Playing out of: Maidstone Park

Coach: Adam Campbell and Matt Lee

Gains: Christian Solomona-Schreuder (Wainuiomata), Simmy Akurangi (Poverty Bay), Jayden Akurangi (Poverty Bay), Lewis Bush (Wai-Bush), Potene Rolls-Paewai (Manawatu), Ietitaia Campbell (Scots), Alex Hewitt (Stream), Jackson Mendoza (Stream), David Tokelautawa (Stream), Blaine Knapman (Stream), Flyn Morgan (Upper Hutt Coll),

Losses: Devon Sopoaga (Poneke), Josh Houston-Tupou (Family), Nic ‘Apikatoa (Australia), Jono Ryan (UK), Toby Crosby (NZ Warriors U21)

 

WAINUIOMATA

Also known as: Wainui, the Nui.  

Colours: Black and Green

Playing out of: William Jones Park

Coach: Michael Lealava’a and Attila Va’a (succeeding Daniel Smith)

Gains: Andrew Wells (MSP), Jordan Sului (Petone), Braydon Soi (Stream), Joshua Leafa-Paki (St Bernards)

Losses: Christian Solomona-Schreuder (Upper Hutt), TJ Va’a (Overseas), Josh Robertson-Weepu (Australia)

Super Rugby: Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ruben Love, Tyrel Lomax, Bailyn Sullivan

 

WELLINGTON

Also known as: The Axemen  

Colours: Black and Gold

Playing out of: Hataitai Park.

Coaches: Fa’atonu Fili (succeeding Dion Waller)

Gains: James Tuiatua (MSP), Ben Tuiatua (MSP), Tui Tuiatua (MSP), Ami Paongo (MSP), Ken Kapeli (MSP), Terry Soli (Year off), Te Aranga Hakiwai (Hawke’s Bay), Antonio Prim (Portugal), Charles West (UK), Caleb Aiulu (League), Darius Luki (Return to rugby), Noah Mirkin (Wests), Uli Lewavou (Fiji)

Losses: Henry Walker (Overseas), Ben Hendry (Overseas), Ben Stowe (Overseas), Joe Reid (Overseas), Jarrod Reardon (Retired), Elliot George (UK), Harry Healy (UK), Mael Montagant (France)

 

WELLINGTON RUGBY REFEREES

2023 Premier Panel: Jamie Fairmaid, Charlie Harris, Zarne Johnson, Ethan Loveridge (injured – out for season), Hamish Mexted, Ollie Michie*, Steve Newson, Matthew Perry*, Jack Sargentina, Matt Thomas, Ben van Berkel (*promoted during 2023)

Departures: Daniel Mangin (Australia), Luke Pearce (Spain), Tomas Roche (Auckland)