Silverware Saturday for U19s, U18s competition starts up and U85kg quarter-final tomorrow

Connor Tuifao and Wellington centurions teammates surge forward in their big win against Manawatu Development last Saturday. They are likely to find stiffer competition against their Tasman counterparts tomorrow at Evans Bay Park.

• By Scott MacLean

The third and final round of the Hurricanes region U19s competition is being played tomorrow, with Wellington set to be presented with the silverware  at Maidstone Park should they beat the Hurricanes Heartland U20s.

While one competition closes a new one starts, with the Hurricanes U18s competition kicking off tomorrow and running throughout September.

There are other representative fixtures at Ngati Toa Domain, Evans Bay Park and elsewhere, as well as a National U85kg Knockout quarter-final at Fraser Park.

A preview and below and team line-ups (as received) at the bottom.

Under 85s National Club Cup

Last eight rugby in the National lightweights knockout comes back to the capital tomorrow, with Avalon hosting Christchurch’s High School Old Boys at Fraser Park in the first of the quarter-finals and only one this weekend. The visitors come with quite the pedigree, having won the title two years ago and came within a whisker of defending that crown at Wellington Stadium last year, and handily beat local rivals Lincoln University last time out. The Wolves also triumphed over student opposition in their third-round match – fellow Wellington side OBU – and while they’ll know the scale of their task, they’ll also believe they can progress to the semi-finals in a fortnight.

Progressing under the tiebreaker rules after their extra-draw on the north side of the bridge, Pōneke  are drawn at home against Taranaki’s New Plymouth Old Boys. Details of where that will take place next weekend are forthcoming.

Representative

The Wellington Centurions can be found at Evans Bay Park for an 11:30am kick-off against Tasman B. The Fijians are at Ngati Toa at 2.00pm for their match against Manawatu Pasifika that was rescheduled from a fortnight ago, while the Māori and Samoans have completed their seasons.

The Wellington Under 19s are at Maidstone Park at 1.00pm, where a win over the Hurricanes Heartland U20s side will secure the Central Region Shield once again. The third and final round match of this series sees the Hawke’s Bay U19s hosting the Manawatu U19s in Napier.

Maidstone Park also plays host to two further matches. It’s a local derby at noon for the Wellington Centurions and Samoan Under 18s as they start their competition season, followed by a pre-tournament contest between the Centurion and Māori U16 sides. The Māori U18s are over in Masterton for a clash with Wairarapa-Bush on the Memorial Park turf.

The other opening round U18 competition matches see Hawke’s Bay play Poverty Bay in Napier and Horowhenua-Kapiti meet Whanganui in Levin.

For the Girls, the U18s and U16s are in Waverley to face their respective Taranaki opponents, while the Centurions U18s get a very rare run on Rugby League Park against Whanganui.

There is also a one-off First XV fixture between the Heretaunga College and Upper Hutt College at Heretaunga College at 1.00pm.

Having played their part in keeping the three Greater Auckland sides winless on the season last Saturday, the Wellington Lions head north to Napier to take on regional rivals Hawke’s Bay at McLean Park tomorrow afternoon. The Magpies are anything but pushovers but will be stung by their loss to Northland last weekend. Wellington will be pleased to finally get a win at home this season, but that may count for very little if they can’t follow it up or even worse repeat the flat effort against Manawatu. Kenshi Yamamato and Matolu Petaia are named for their first starts, the former alongside a returning James O’Reilly and the latter in a loose trio that has Dominic Ropeti on the openside. Callum Harkin is handed the #12 jersey in place of Julian Savea, so the captaincy moves to Matt Proctor, while Stanley Solomon is given another opportunity at fullback. There are three potential debutants on the bench in Senio Sanele, Cody Lokotui, and Kapu Broughton-Winterburn. Magpies co-captain Tom Parsons plays his 100^th match for the union.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Lions, as they’re in Whangarei next Thursday night to face Northland.

Northland is where the Pride are tomorrow, heading to Kaikohe to face the Kauri in their final round-robin clash at midday tomorrow. With both sides having fallen to Championship leaders Otago this season, this is effectively a match to host the other next weekend as they can’t be caught from below by Norh Harbour nor is it likely that they’ll head off Otago for top-spot as they host winless Taranaki. The Pride will be buoyed by Sunday’s thumping of Taranaki but will have to be wary of the hosts before they can really turn their mind to trying to win the Championship and return to the top-flight for 2026. It’s an unchanged backline, though Faythe Finau, Lavinia Lea, Sanita Levave, and Anyis Drossaerts-Lake return to the pack and schoolgirl Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson joins the bench.

Wellington’s two neighbouring Heartland sides find themselves next to each other on the points table and identical predicaments of coming off home losses last week. Both hit the road tomorrow; Horowhenua-Kapiti head north to take on the side immediately below them on the table in King Country at Rugby Park in Te Kuiti where the result could be decisive for both sides in terms of their season. For Wairarapa-Bush it’s back to the South Island, and having already faced still unbeaten pair South Canterbury and Mid-Canterbury – who they feel they should have beaten last week – it doesn’t get easier as they face the third in table-topping West Coast in Greymouth, and where the hosts will feel they owe the visitors one from last year.

Teams (as provided):

Wellington Lions

1. Kenshi Yamamoto (Japan), 2. James O’Reilly (HOBM), 3. PJ Sheck (Tawa), 4. Hugo Plummer (Tawa), 5. Akira Ieremia (Japan), 6. Caleb Delany (OBU), 7. Dominic Ropeti (Ories), 8. Matolu Petaia (Tawa), 9. Nui Muriwai (HOBM), 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths), 11. Tjay Clarke (Petone), 12. Callum Harkin (OBU), 13. Matt Proctor (Ories), 14. Losi Filipo (Petone), 15. Stanley Solomon (Petone) | 16. Penieli Poasa (Ories – Captain), 17. Senio Sanele (Upper Hutt – Debut), 18. Siale Lauaki (Norths), 19. Sione Halalilo (Ories), 20. Cody Lokotui (Wellington – Debut), 21. Esi Komaisavai (Pare-Plim), 22. Kapu Broughton-Winterburn (HOBM – Debut), 23. Tom Maiava (Ories)

Hawkes Bay Magpies

1. Hadlee Hay-Horton, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 4. Geoff Cridge, 5. Tom Parsons (100^th Game), 6. Miracle Fai’ilagi, 7. Cooper Flanders, 8. Devon Flanders, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Harry Godfrey, 11. Neria Fomai, 12. Anaru Paenga-Morgan, 13. Nick Grigg, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Zarn Sullivan | 16. Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17. Nik Patumaka, 18. Lolani Faleiva, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Frank Lochore, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Lukas Ripley, 23. Andrew Tauatevalu

Wellington Pride

1. Faythe Finau (Norths), 2. Valini Vaka (MSP – Captain), 3. Lavinia Lea (Petone), 4. Sanita Levave (Norths), 5. Jessica Jackson (Poneke), 6. Lourdes Faifua (Petone), 7. Anyis Drossaerts-Lake (Norths), 8. Jackie Patea-Fereti (Petone), 9. Milly Mackey (Petone), 10. Arene Landon-Lane (Norths), 11. Harmony Kautai (Petone), 12. Madison Gold (Petone), 13. Litia Bulicakau (Petone), 14. Ivana Samani (Norths), 15. Keira Su’a-Smith (Petone) | 16. Keiana Roffey (Petone), 17. Paige Misky (Norths), 18. Lesieli Tuangalu (Norths), 19. Xanthe Somerville (MSP), 20. Fono Bason (Petone), 21. Baylee Meroiti (Norths), 22. Nahliah Tagatauli-Tolova’a (MSP), 23. Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson (St Mary’s/Petone)

Wellington Centurions

1. Jake Wetere (MSP), 2. Harry Press (HOBM – Captain), 3. Geordie Bean (OBU), 4. Viliame Rarasea (MSP), 5. Harry Irving (OBU), 6. Conner Tuifao (Petone), 7. David Johnson (Ories), 8. Jeremiah Avei-Collins (Norths), 9. Mitchell McLeod (OBU), 10. Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson (HOBM), 11. Jacob Denyer (Tawa), 12. Olly Paotonu (Jville), 13. Ieti Campbell (Upper Hutt), 14. Fritz Rayasi (HOBM), 15. Jacob Walmsley (Jville) | 16. Louie Calvert (OBU), 17. Connor Lemon (Upper Hutt), 18. Benjamin Tuiomanufili (HOBM), 19. Nathaniel Barry (OBU), 20. Jordan Chapman (Wellington), 21. Logan Henry (Petone), 22. Caleb Robson (Poneke), 23. Finlay Sharp (Jville), 24. Ethan Webster-Nonu (Pare-Plim)

Wellington U19s

1. Hamish Huggins (Poneke), 2. Cazna Logovae-Sale (MSP), 3. Corban King (MSP), 4. Johnny Falloon (OBU), 5. Sam Thomson (Petone), 6. Tyler Craig (HOBM), 7. Luke Bidois (Tawa), 8. Ollie Church (OBU), 9. Jake Lawson (OBU), 10. Eden Govind (Tawa), 11. Max Reynolds (MSP), 12. Jayde Burns (MSP), 13. Brodee Tetevano (HOBM), 14. Dante Ford-Tuveve (MSP), 15. Adam Jansen van Vuuren (Petone) | 16. Latu Tupou (Upper Hutt), 17. Elijah Talalupe (Poneke), 18. Harry Rankin (Petone), 19. Lafaele Lupo (Tawa), 20. Preston Moananu (MSP), 21. Levi Morgan (HOBM), 22. Mike Brown (Poneke), 23. Fili Suakanaceva (Jville)

Wellington Centurions U18

1. Heath Tuifao (Silverstream), 2. Faimale Tagoai (Town), 3. Harry Baddington (WC), 4. Kitiona Kenese-Talaepa (Silverstream), 5. Ryder Thompson (Silverstream), 6. Brandon Lo (Scots), 7. Archie Schrader (Petone), 8. Z’Kdeus Schwalger (WC), 9. Kian O’Connell (HOBM), 10. Archie Sims (WC), 11. Liam Phelps (HIBS), 12. Cliff Hunt Jr (Tawa RFC), 13. Hunter Andrew (Poneke), 14. Shea Boshier (WC), 15. William Davis Lenz (Silverstream) | 16. Seb Hopkins (WC), 17. Julius Toimata (WC), 18. Noah Krijnen (HOBM), 19. Laifone Kamato (WC), 20. Jack Robinson (WC), 21. Bentley Faulkner (WC), 22. Fraser Lindsay (WC)

Wellington Māori U18

1. Jahvaan Hunt (Silverstream), 2. TJ Robinson (Rongotai), 3. Hyrum Betham (WC), 4. Kwade Chadwick (Town), 5. Wairangi Maniapoto (St Bernard’s), 6. Noah Wright (HIBS), 7. Connar Gregor (WC), 8. Kingston Wright (St Bernard’s), 9. Graeyson Chadwick (Upper Hutt Rams), 10. Gia Johnston (Town), 11. Rico Poutama (WC), 12. Malachi Osman (Tawa – Captain), 13. Abraham Smith (Silverstream), 14. Izayer Brown (Tawa), 15. Navrin Campbell (WC) | 16. Kristian Leaupepe-Sua (Silverstream), 17. Jahziah Ikenasio Brown (Tawa), 18. Connor Maxwell (Town), 19. James Fullelove (OBU), 20. Elijah Faio (Wainuiomata), 21. Jayden Caseley (Town), 22. Levi Walmsley (Silverstream), 23. Lachie Amner (HIBS)

Centurions Girls U18s

Avalon Under 85s

1. Jamie Walker, 2. Sam O’Kane, 3. Haeata Akuhata, 4. Shayne Reder, 5. Ryan Pene, 6. Damian Austin-Adams, 7. Matt Edmonds, 8. Mike Francis (Captain), 9. Mark Austin, 10. Jakib Tainui, 11. Josh Le’afa Paki, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Daizell Kepa, 14. Site Timu, 15. Richard Evans | 16. Brad Price, 17. Arthur Flux, 18. Graham Cherry, 19. Brett Hodgetts, 20. Keenan Easthope, 21. So’olefai Ena, 22. Callum Broughton

High School Old Boys Under 85s

1. Will McGuckin, 2. Jose de Sousa, 3. Callum Nimmo, 4. Tom Northcote, 5. Josh Purdon, 6. Luke Robertson, 7. Josh Evans, 8. Billy Sloan, 9. Taine Cordell-Hull, 10. Jarred Percival (c), 11. Hugh Griffiths, 12. Maifea Taiulu Feso, 13. Ryan McNulty, 14. Ben Scott, 15. Ned Milne | 16. Bill Quigley, 17. Lance Talbot, 18. Will Turner, 19. Jack Owen, 20, Jack Lough, 21. Connor Stanley, 22. Tom Baines

Wairarapa-Bush

1. Tupou Lea’aemanu (Carterton – Captain), 2. Lewis Bush (Greytown), 3. Gareth Ward Allen (Loan – OBU), 4. Malakai Biumaiwai (Greytown), 5. Cody Cunningham (Martinborough) 6. Isireli Biumaiwai (Greytown), 7. Inia Katia (Carterton), 8. Folau Finau Vea (Loan – OBU), 9. Sam Walton-Sexton (Greytown), 10. Jack Eschenbach (Martinborough), 11. Gracyn Evans (Greytown), 12. Jack Delaney (Loan – Feilding), 13. Levi Harmon (Pioneer/Loan – College Old Boys), 14. Fiula Tameilau (Carterton), 15. Boitumelo Tsatsane  (Greytown – Debut) | 16. Terongo Tekii (Carterton), 17. Stan Wright Jr (Marist), 18. Jeramiah Mapusua (Marist) 19. Marcus Ale (Marist), 20. Thomas Willams (East Coast), 21. Daryl Pickering (Carterton), 22. Soli Malatai (Greytown), 23. Charlie Brown (Greytown)

Horowhenua-Kapiti

1. George Jacobs (Foxton), 2. Brad Reilly (Paraparaumu), 3. Nonu Tuia (Loan – HOBM), 4. Dallas Wiki (Shannon), 5. Michael Laursen (Foxton), 6. Albert Hemopo (Foxton), 7. Alex Fidow (Loan – Pare-Plim), 8. Mika Alaifatu (Loan – HOBM), 9. Kahn Fotual’i (Foxton), 10. Rory Woollett (Loan – Petone), 11. Joeli Rauca (Foxton), 12. Connor Paki (Foxton), 13. Darren Falaniko (Wanderers), 14. Max Hosking (Paraparaumu), 15. Sean Pape (Shannon) | 16. Ted Northcott (Rahui), 17. David McErlean (Foxton), 18. Mikaere Harvey (Foxton), 19. Jeremy David (Foxton), 20. TJ Barnsley (Paraparaumu), 21. Taine Hata (Waikanae – Debut), 22. Jayson Aquila (Paraparaumu), 23. Aaron Lahmert (Waikanae)