Wellington club rugby Gains and Losses 2025

The 2025 Wellington club rugby season gets underway this Saturday, with Round One Swindale Shield teams being named by their clubs on Friday.

As is the norm these days, there’s a good deal of movement between clubs while there are also those coming into the province or leaving in search of other opportunities. For completeness we have also included many of 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 Lions-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.

Of note is that both of last year’s joint-winners of the Billy Wallace Best & Fairest – Pare-Plim’s Sam Clarke and MSP’s Milan Kriletich – have both left Wellington while the man who was third behind them, Johnsonville’s Mark Sutton, is listed as injured.

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AVALON

Also known as: Wolves

Colours: Maroon and Blue

Playing out of: Fraser Park Sportsville, Lower Hutt

Coaches: Finau Hopoi and Errol Weston (succeeding Thomas Kiwara)

Gains: James Sopoaga (Petone), Luke Uluiburotu (J’ville), Daley Ena (Australia), Samu Cirikiwai (St Bernard’s), Callum Broughton (HVHS), Ben Wright (Naenae), Sonny Oloapu (League), Lefoi Utulolo-Tupu (Injury)

Losses: Challis Briskie (Jville), Quinn O’Kane (Otago)

Super Rugby: Asafo Aumua

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HUTT OLD BOYS MARIST

Also known as: The Eagles

Colours: Red, White, and Green

Playing out of: Hutt Recreation Ground

Coach: Otto Rasch (succeeding Simon Maleulu)

Gains: Vaini Halafihi (Upper Hutt), Kapu Broughton-Winterburn (Horo-Kap), Mako Blackman (East Coast), Drew Berg-McLean (Stream), Lise Soloa (Family)

Losses: Jordan-Glen Bradbrook (Petone), Zane Ainslie (UK), Taine Tata (Australia), Nash Fiso-Vaelai (Australia), Albert Polu (Australia), Fereti Soloa (League), Kobe-Joe Vulu (League), Sam Morgan (Cricket)

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JOHNSONVILLE

Also known as: The Hawks

Colours: Dark and Light Blue hoops

Playing out of: Helston Park

Coach: Dallas Paotonu (succeeding joint-coach with Jason Adamson)

Gains: Khan Love (OBU), Conner Chadwick (OBU), Hayden Kuresa (Tawa), Saini Aiono (Tawa), Challis Briskie (Avalon), Jack Singer (Poneke), Fili Malo (Wainui), Anthony Pettett (UK), Mike Faimalo (Australia), Mo’ole Faletolu (Australia), Sakulu Cama (Fiji), Louis Magalogo (Otago), Billy Peoples (Canterbury), Sam Cook (Canterbury), Charlie Barton (Scots Coll), Fili Sukanaceva (Wesley Coll), Ish Perkins (injury)

Losses: Jake Wetere (MSP), Billy Bryce (Australia), Mark Sutton (Injury), Connor Fitzsimmons (Injury), Jack Taulapapa (Retired)

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MARIST ST PATS

Also known as: The Red Machine

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

Playing out of: Evans Bay Park

Coach: Jason Adamson (succeeding Sean Horan who remains Director of Rugby)

Gains: Jake Wetere (J’ville), Jayde Burns (Norths), Alex Morrissey (Poneke), Daniel Leone (Tawa), Milan Peterson (HOBM), Solomona Vaka (OBU), Ben Gardiner (Otago), Jordan Newsome (Otago), Boaz Ikahihifo (Auckland), Luke Kapene (Australia), Broch McCallum (Scotland), Max Reynolds (Town), Preston Moananu (Stream), Corban King (WC), George Woodman (WC), Cazna Sale (PNBHS), Isaia Petelo (Injury), Ryan Dafel (Injury), Luke Donaldson (Traveling), Max Ireland (Year off)

Losses: Elysium Tolova’a-Stanley (Wainuiomata), Milan Kriletich (Auckland), Rique Miln (Otago), Grayson Whitman (Waikato), Jack O’Brien (Waikato), Tom Gordon (Auckland), Keelan Whitman (Australia), Ivan Fepuleai (Australia), Sage Aukustino (Australia), Eamonn Carr (Australia), Sam Connor (England), Joe Aston (England), Fionn Gilbert (Ireland), Viliame Saukuru (Fiji), Nick Harrison (Retired), Shane Thompstone (Retired), Rich Downey (Retired)

Super Rugby: Billy Proctor

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NORTHERN UNITED

Also known as: Bulldogs

Colours: Blue and white hoops

Playing out of: Porirua Park

Coach: Shane Pihema (succeeding Grainger Heikell)

Gains: Siale Lauaki (Tawa), Luke Walmsley (Tawa), Seth Bailey (Pare-Plim)

Losses: Jayde Burns (MSP), Callum Watts-Pointer (Injury), Josiah Tevita-Metcalfe (League), Johnny Teleaga (League)

Super Rugby: Siale Lauaki, Duplessis Kirifi, Jackson Garden-Bachop

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OLD BOYS-UNIVERSITY

Also known as: The Fighting Billygoats, The Goats

Colours: Green and white hoops

Playing out of: Rugby League Park, Nairnville Park, Ian Galloway Park

Coach: Paul Swift, Glynn Champion and Tomasi Palu.

Gains: Josh Wilson (Poneke), Folau Vea (Australia), Nielson Campbell (Australia), Jake Lawson (Scots), Hayden Patu (Scots), Ollie Church (Well Coll), George White (HIBS), Johnny Falloon (Rathkeale), Hamish Huggins (Rathkeale), Mitchell Shields (Wairarapa Coll), Jonty Riley (John McGlashan), Enos Palamene (Injury)

Losses: Ben Brooking (Petone), Jermaine Pepe (Petone), Solomona Vaka (MSP), Tofuka Paongo (Manawatu), Ty Poe (Manawatu), Ollie Cuff (BoP), Boston Hunt (Otago), Zac Hunt (Otago), Dougal Perrers (Australia), Wim Zimmerman (Switzerland), Seth Brown (Injury), Harley Richards (Injury), Isi Tuivaga (OE)

Super Rugby: Caleb Delany, Callum Harkin, Kyle Preston

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ORIENTAL-RONGOTAI

Also known as: Ories, O-Tide, Magpies

Colours: Black and white hoops

Playing out of: Polo Ground

Coach: Whetu Henry

Gains: Tom Maiava (Australia), Roy Towolom (Manawatu)

Losses: Connor Lemon (Upper Hutt), Jonty Bird (Whanganui), Caleb Thompson-Harding (Taranaki), Malachi Ti’a (Australia), Siaosi Lavea (Australia), Pose Tuilaepa (Australia), John Tuia (UK), Alex Ropeti (UK), Tuga Mativa (Retired)

Super Rugby: Xavier Numia, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Matt Proctor

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PAREMATA-PLIMMERTON

Also known as: Pare-Plim, PP, the Hammerheads

Colours: Black with red and gold bands

Playing out of: Ngati Toa Domain

Coach: Matt Poutoa

Gains: Toby Mallon (Upper Hutt), Tony Solomona (Tawa), Mika Finau (Tawa), Emery McGill (Petone)

Losses: Keepa Cherrington (Ireland), Sam Clarke (Taranaki), Tony Coburn (Injury), Stehlmen Teleaga-Letele (League)

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PETONE

Also known as: The Villagers

Colours: Blue with a white shoulder saddle

Playing out of: Petone Recreation Ground

Coaches: Carne Green and Cam Prouting (succeeding Fridge Masina)

Gains:  Ben Brooking (OBU), Jermaine Pepe (OBU), Jordan-Glen Bradbrook (HOBM), Logan Wakefield (Wai-Bush), Thompson Tukapua (Stream), Sam Thompson (Stream), Charlie Carroll (Wairarapa College), Peighton Fa’amausili (St Bernards), Adam Jansen Van Vuuren (Paraparaumu College)

Losses: Emery McGill (Pare-Plim), Mason Henry (Taranaki), Taylor Henry (Injury), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Injury), Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Injury), Isikeli Fukofuka (Injury), Bradley Pritchard (Work), Lennox Easthope (League)

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

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PONEKE

Also known as: The Streetkids

Colours: Red and black hoops

Playing out of: Kilbirnie Park

Coach: Ross Bond

Gains: Emeka Ilogu (Otago), Bede Brown (Otago), Aorangi Stokes (East Coast), Maea Temu-Schmidt (Italy), Lee Franzoni (Ireland), Jack Greig (England), Mike Brown (Hastings Boys), Elijah Talalupe (Hastings Boys), Hunter Andrews (Lindisfarne)

Losses: Josh Wilson (OBU), Mitchell Gough (England), Jacob Turrell (Injury), Siale Siale (WRP)

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TAWA

Also known as: The Wolfpack, The T

Colours: Red, Blue, and Gold

Playing out of: Lyndhurst Park

Coach: Steve So’oialo

Gains: James So’oialo (Returning), Faraimo Nofoaiga (Returning), Nigel Hunt (Returning), Tito Ioane (Returning), Jeff Makapelu (Returning), Cliff Hunt Jr (Tawa Coll), Malachi Suniula (Tawa Coll), Ele Lupe (Well Coll), Luke Bidois (Gisborne Boys), Malosi Luafalealo (Gisborne Boys)

Losses: Siale Lauaki (Norths), Tony Solomona (Pare-Plim), Mika Finau (Pare-Plim), Daniel Leone (MSP), Akira Ieremia (Japan), Lipa Saveatama (Australia), Connor Sharrock (Australia), Mike Reid (Canada)

Super Rugby: Pepesana Patafilo, Hugo Plummer, PJ Sheck

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UPPER HUTT RAMS

Also known as: The Rams

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

Playing out of: Maidstone Park

Coaches: Adam Campbell and Matt Lee

Gains: Connor Lemon (Ories), Liam Slight (Stream), Preston Maraku (Stream), Tamati Payne (Stream), Latu Tupou (Wesley College), Matt Luamanu (overseas), David Tokalautawa (Overseas), Tyrone Maraku (Injury)

Losses: Toby Mallon (Pare-Plim), Vaini Halafihi (HOBM), So’a Fainga’a (USA)

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WAINUIOMATA

Also known as: Wainui, The Nui

Colours: Green and Black hoops

Playing out of: William Jones Park

Coaches: Michael Lealava’a and Attila Va’a

Gains: Elysium Tolova’a-Stanley (MSP), Josh Leweni (Fiji), Niko Patelesio (Injury/Work)

Losses: Henry Stowers (Auckland), Tui Yandall (League)

Super Rugby: Ruben Love, Peter Umaga-Jensen

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WELLINGTON

Also known as: The Axemen

Colours: Black and Gold hoops

Playing out of: Hataitai Park

Coach: Lua Lokotui and Fa’atonu Fili

Gains: Caleb Willison (Waikato), Saia Tuputupu (Manawatu), Tom Robertson (England), Josh Bromley (Well Coll)

Losses: Charlie West (England), Darius Luki (Scotland), Antonio Prim (Portugal), Jayden Kini (Australia), Sam Fuimaono (Australia), Will Cosgriff (England, after May)

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WELLINGTON RUGBY REFEREES

2025 Premier Panel: Campbell Barry, Charlie Harris, Zarne Johnson, Ethan Loveridge (returning), Ollie Michie, Steve Newson, Matt Perry, Matt Thomas, Ben Van Berkel

Departures: Jamie Fairmaid (Hiatus), Hamish Mexted (Hiatus), Jack Sargentina (Overseas)

Others with Premier experience: James Taylor, Ethan Jefferson, Colin Te Pohe (returning), Scott MacLean

 

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Round One draw, Saturday at 2.45pm. 

DRAWS & RESULTS

At the tab above/menu bar if on mobile.

We have the 2025 Swindale Shield and 2025 Harper Lock Shield draw at https://clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=11&Submit=Go BUT please note that as we publish this we don’t have access to the website administrator page to edit draws and add teamlists and results! This is a consequence of the “Great Club Rugby Breakage of February/March 2025” owing to a forced website server move and the coding being long out of date. If this isn’t back in time, we will still collate all these teamlists and results and publish on our website.

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Join our 2025 Swindale Shield Tipping Competition at: https://www.faceyoursfears.com/games/WGTN2025/join 

If playing, remember to make your tips by the cut-off of 2.30pm on Saturday.